Volume II – Mental Aspects

Vol_II

Concentration and Focus
Confidence and Consistency
Competition and Winning
Composure and Self Control

Attitude and Dedication
Self Improvement and Development
Mechanics and Fundamentals
Shot Making and Skills

Position Play
Strategy, Planning, and Creativity
Equipment and Surroundings
Miscellaneous

Billiards Digest articles in chronological order

NOTE – On the CD-ROM, each title listed below links to a PDF file that can be viewed or printed from the CD-ROM.

The other CD-ROM in the series is: Volume I – Mechanics, Shots, Drills

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Concentration and Focus

  • Concentration (Billiards Digest – April, 2002) – how to focus and avoid distractions at the table
  • Winning (Billiards Digest – July, 2002) – how and why to maintain focus on winning
  • Boredom (Billiards Digest – March, 2004) – great pool can and should be boring, but it requires focus
  • Focus (Billiards Digest – June, 2006) – the importance of focusing on making a shot when there are secondary considerations

Confidence and Consistency

  • Getting Out of a Slump (Billiards Digest – January, 2003) – how to deal with and work you way out of a slump
  • Luck (Billiards Digest – April, 2003) – how to use luck to create confidence
  • Mistakes (Billiards Digest – August, 2004) – how to accept and learn from mistakes
  • Missing (Billiards Digest – November, 2004) – learning to accept that misses are part of the game, and learn from them
  • Courage (Billiards Digest – May, 2007) – identifying and dealing with fears to create courage

Competition and Winning

  • Pressure (Billiards Digest – June, 2002) – how to deal with and use pressure
  • Intimidation (Billiards Digest – March, 2003) – how to deal with unhealthy intimidation and use healthy intimidation
  • Sportsmanship (Billiards Digest – June, 2003) – showing respect and sportsmanship at the table
  • Talking (Billiards Digest – July, 2004) – talking is OK during social pool, but not during competitive matches
  • The Opponent (Billiards Digest – January, 2005) – sometimes you just play the table, but it is important to know your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses
  • The Comeback (Billiards Digest – April, 2005) – learning how to come from behind, and trusting it
  • Adversity (Billiards Digest – August, 2006) – how to recognize and deal with an opponent’s unsportsmanlike behavior
  • Cheating (Billiards Digest – June, 2007) – how to deal with a cheating opponent

Composure and Self Control

  • Composure (Billiards Digest – December, 2002) – how to deal with mistakes and disappointments
  • Megan’s Journal (Billiards Digest – July, 2003) – the self image of a champion
  • Take it Easy (Billiards Digest – November, 2005) – how to avoid and deal with tension and learn to stay relaxed

Attitude and Dedication

  • Vision (Billiards Digest – February, 2003) – watch as much great pool as you can you help you visualize how to play
  • Honesty (Billiards Digest – January, 2004) – being honest to yourself about the hard work it takes to excel
  • Looking Good (Billiards Digest – October, 2004) – don’t let the desire to look good affect your game
  • Commitment (Billiards Digest – March, 2005) – the importance with checking in with yourself concerning your level of commitment
  • Success (Billiards Digest – December, 2006) – the importance of relaxation and having fun in improving

Self Improvement and Development

  • Upward Mobility (Billiards Digest – October, 2002) – don’t sandbag in a league or tournament system … aim higher
  • Coachability (Billiards Digest – August, 2003) – how to be open to and benefit from coaching
  • Sharing (Billiards Digest – December, 2003) – sharing of knowledge is important to the game
  • Association (Billiards Digest – September, 2004) – why it is important to interact with top players
  • Passion (Billiards Digest – May, 2005) – learning how to find passion and reward in sharing
  • Change (Billiards Digest – October, 2005) – the courage and benefits associated with change
  • Learning (Billiards Digest – May, 2006) – learn from others with different abilities and perspectives
  • Misinformation (Billiards Digest – January, 2007) – example of how misinformation limits development
  • Missing Out (Billiards Digest – October, 2007) – the many nuggets that can be found in instructional books
  • Looking Inward (Billiards Digest – March, 2008) – examine and document your pool game through journaling
  • Pushing The Envelope (Billiards Digest – June, 2008) – take chances and be creative when practicing or playing for fun to find and develop new skills
  • Flying Blind (Billiards Digest – January, 2009) – practicing with your eyes closed can eliminate fears and create insight

Mechanics and Fundamentals

  • Square One (Billiards Digest – October, 2008) – practice the stroke by itself, without balls
  • Steady As She Goes (Billiards Digest – January, 2006) – the importance of fundamentals and staying still
  • Tempo (Billiards Digest – May, 2002) – the importance of consistent tempo and pre-shot routine
  • Finding the Line (Billiards Digest – July, 2005) – the important fundamental of alignment
  • Shooting (Billiards Digest – April, 2004) – when aiming and shooting, focus on the object ball
  • Drill Baby Drill (Billiards Digest – February, 2009) – practice simple shots to develop precision muscle memory
  • Thinking (Billiards Digest – February, 2004) – practice fundamentals and skills so you don’t have to think when you play
  • Shattered Beliefs (Billiards Digest – April, 2008) – the action of the cue ball doesn’t depend on the type of stroke, only the result of the stroke
  • Fear of English (Billiards Digest – May, 2008) – english should be avoided when unnecessary, but it is critical to top-level play
  • Walking (Billiards Digest – September, 2005) – the importance of walking around the table and into a shot
  • Stroke (Billiards Digest – November, 2002) – focus on your stroke when targeting cue ball tracks with draw and follow
  • Eyesight (Billiards Digest – August, 2005) – excellent eyesight isn’t an absolute requirement in pool
  • Starting Over (Billiards Digest – September, 2006) – playing with the opposite hand can create appreciation and perspective

Shot Making and Skills

  • Trying (Billiards Digest – August, 2002) – focus on pocketing balls, and practice more and try less hard with position play
  • Gimmicks (Billiards Digest – September, 2007) – basic aiming systems and gizmos don’t account for throw
  • Speed (Billiards Digest – February, 2007) – the importance of finding your favorite shot speed
  • Spin (Billiards Digest – November, 2003) – learning to use the full non-miscue area of the cue ball
  • The Pool Mind (Billiards Digest – November, 2006) – learning to deal with complexities (like english variables) instinctively
  • Imagination (Billiards Digest – April, 2009) – creative use of rail-first shots with english
  • Kicking with Vision (Billiards Digest – February, 2008) – practice multiple-rail kicks without systems to develop feel
  • Adaptive Thinking (Billiards Digest – July, 2006) – applying the Corner-5 System to kick shots
  • Spot on the Wall (Billiards Digest – September, 2008) – using “spot on the wall” as an alternative to the Corner-5 and Plus Systems
  • The Break (Billiards Digest – April, 2007) – how to improve your 9-ball break
  • Jump Draw (Billiards Digest – August, 2008) – using ball hop off a rail to delay draw or follow
  • Jump Twist (Billiards Digest – December, 2007) – the outrageous object ball jump shot

Position Play

  • Position Play (Billiards Digest – September, 2002) – practice position fundamentals to help it become more natural and accurate
  • Precision (Billiards Digest – September, 2003) – the importance of being precise with position planning
  • Precise Points (Billiards Digest – May, 2009) – playing for an exact position target will help your game
  • Trouble (Billiards Digest – August, 2007) – playing position off a rail for better position above balls
  • The Cue-Line Reference (Billiards Digest – March, 2006) – a useful position track reference for cut shots close to a rail
  • Staying Centered (Billiards Digest – May, 2004) – learning how to get to the ever-important center of the table
  • References (Billiards Digest – June, 2004) – adjusting relative to the center-of-table reference track
  • Position Principles (Billiards Digest – March, 2009) – play for multiple-rail position routes through the center of the table
  • When Less Is More (Billiards Digest – November, 2008) – less speed is sometimes required with draw cut shots to get the desired cue ball path

Strategy, Planning, and Creativity

  • Running Out (Billiards Digest – May, 2003) – planning and keeping perspective to run out a table
  • Planning (Billiards Digest – December, 2004) – run-outs require planning and problem solving
  • Moving Forward (Billiards Digest – January, 2008) – planning backward and forward to identify a key ball and run-out plan
  • Memory (Billiards Digest – October, 2006) – the importance of experience and memory in planning and shot selection
  • Creative Vision (Billiards Digest – June, 2005) – creativity requires practice and dedication
  • 8 Ball (Billiards Digest – February, 2006) – the importance of planning in 8-ball
  • A Plan for 8 Ball (Billiards Digest – March, 2007) – playing for natural position routes with 8-ball patterns
  • Breaking Rules (Billiards Digest – November, 2007) – straight-pool break shot strategy

Equipment and Surroundings

  • Environment (Billiards Digest – February, 2005) – learning to become comfortable with surroundings and table conditions
  • Adjusting (Billiards Digest – April, 2006) – learning how to adjust to a table’s conditions
  • When Things Aren’t Working (Billiards Digest – July, 2007) – dealing with and adjusting to equipment problems and differences

Miscellaneous

  • Sensitivity Training (Billiards Digest – October, 2003) – stereotypes and political incorrectness in pool
  • Purity (Billiards Digest – December, 2005) – straight-pool’s place in pool
  • Easy 8 Ball (Billiards Digest – July, 2008) – some interesting 8-ball variations fun for practice
  • Equal Offense One Pocket (Billiards Digest – June, 2009) – an interesting 10-ball one-pocket variation as a fun game

Billiards Digest articles in chronological order

  • Concentration (Billiards Digest – April, 2002) – how to focus and avoid distractions at the table
  • Tempo (Billiards Digest – May, 2002) – the importance of consistent tempo and pre-shot routine
  • Pressure (Billiards Digest – June, 2002) – how to deal with and use pressure
  • Winning (Billiards Digest – July, 2002) – how and why to maintain focus on winning
  • Trying (Billiards Digest – August, 2002) – focus on pocketing balls, and practice more and try less hard with position play
  • Position Play (Billiards Digest – September, 2002) – practice position fundamentals to help it become more natural and accurate
  • Upward Mobility (Billiards Digest – October, 2002) – don’t sandbag in a league or tournament system … aim higher
  • Stroke (Billiards Digest – November, 2002) – focus on your stroke when targeting cue ball tracks with draw and follow
  • Composure (Billiards Digest – December, 2002) – how to deal with mistakes and disappointments
  • SAMPLE: Getting Out of a Slump (Billiards Digest – January, 2003) – how to deal with and work you way out of a slump
  • Vision (Billiards Digest – February, 2003) – watch as much great pool as you can you help you visualize how to play
  • Intimidation (Billiards Digest – March, 2003) – how to deal with unhealthy intimidation and use healthy intimidation
  • Luck (Billiards Digest – April, 2003) – how to use luck to create confidence
  • Running Out (Billiards Digest – May, 2003) – planning and keeping perspective to run out a table
  • Sportsmanship (Billiards Digest – June, 2003) – showing respect and sportsmanship at the table
  • Megan’s Journal (Billiards Digest – July, 2003) – the self image of a champion
  • Coachability (Billiards Digest – August, 2003) – how to be open to and benefit from coaching
  • Precision (Billiards Digest – September, 2003) – the importance of being precise with position planning
  • Sensitivity Training (Billiards Digest – October, 2003) – stereotypes and political incorrectness in pool
  • Spin (Billiards Digest – November, 2003) – learning to use the full non-miscue area of the cue ball
  • Sharing (Billiards Digest – December, 2003) – sharing of knowledge is important to the game
  • Honesty (Billiards Digest – January, 2004) – being honest to yourself about the hard work it takes to excel
  • Thinking (Billiards Digest – February, 2004) – practice fundamentals and skills so you don’t have to think when you play
  • Boredom (Billiards Digest – March, 2004) – great pool can and should be boring, but it requires focus
  • Shooting (Billiards Digest – April, 2004) – when aiming and shooting, focus on the object ball
  • Staying Centered (Billiards Digest – May, 2004) – learning how to get to the ever-important center of the table
  • References (Billiards Digest – June, 2004) – adjusting relative to the center-of-table reference track
  • Talking (Billiards Digest – July, 2004) – talking is OK during social pool, but not during competitive matches
  • Mistakes (Billiards Digest – August, 2004) – how to accept and learn from mistakes
  • Association (Billiards Digest – September, 2004) – why it is important to interact with top players
  • Looking Good (Billiards Digest – October, 2004) – don’t let the desire to look good affect your game
  • Missing (Billiards Digest – November, 2004) – learning to accept that misses are part of the game, and learn from them
  • Planning (Billiards Digest – December, 2004) – run-outs require planning and problem solving
  • The Opponent (Billiards Digest – January, 2005) – sometimes you just play the table, but it is important to know your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses
  • Environment (Billiards Digest – February, 2005) – learning to become comfortable with surroundings and table conditions
  • Commitment (Billiards Digest – March, 2005) – the importance with checking in with yourself concerning your level of commitment
  • The Comeback (Billiards Digest – April, 2005) – learning how to come from behind, and trusting it
  • Passion (Billiards Digest – May, 2005) – learning how to find passion and reward in sharing
  • Creative Vision (Billiards Digest – June, 2005) – creativity requires practice and dedication
  • Finding the Line (Billiards Digest – July, 2005) – the important fundamental of alignment
  • Eyesight (Billiards Digest – August, 2005) – excellent eyesight isn’t an absolute requirement in pool
  • SAMPLE: Walking (Billiards Digest – September, 2005) – the importance of walking around the table and into a shot
  • Change (Billiards Digest – October, 2005) – the courage and benefits associated with change
  • Take it Easy (Billiards Digest – November, 2005) – how to avoid and deal with tension and learn to stay relaxed
  • Purity (Billiards Digest – December, 2005) – straight-pool’s place in pool
  • Steady As She Goes (Billiards Digest – January, 2006) – the importance of fundamentals and staying still
  • 8 Ball (Billiards Digest – February, 2006) – the importance of planning in 8-ball
  • The Cue-Line Reference (Billiards Digest – March, 2006) – a useful position track reference for cut shots close to a rail
  • Adjusting (Billiards Digest – April, 2006) – learning how to adjust to a table’s conditions
  • Learning (Billiards Digest – May, 2006) – learn from others with different abilities and perspectives
  • Focus (Billiards Digest – June, 2006) – the importance of focusing on making a shot when there are secondary considerations
  • Adaptive Thinking (Billiards Digest – July, 2006) – applying the Corner-5 System to kick shots
  • Adversity (Billiards Digest – August, 2006) – how to recognize and deal with an opponent’s unsportsmanlike behavior
  • Starting Over (Billiards Digest – September, 2006) – playing with the opposite hand can create appreciation and perspective
  • Memory (Billiards Digest – October, 2006) – the importance of experience and memory in planning and shot selection
  • The Pool Mind (Billiards Digest – November, 2006) – learning to deal with complexities instinctively
  • Success (Billiards Digest – December, 2006) – the importance of relaxation and having fun in improving
  • Misinformation (Billiards Digest – January, 2007) – example of how misinformation limits development
  • Speed (Billiards Digest – February, 2007) – the importance of finding your favorite shot speed
  • A Plan for 8 Ball (Billiards Digest – March, 2007) – playing for natural position routes with 8-ball patterns
  • The Break (Billiards Digest – April, 2007) – how to improve your 9-ball break
  • Courage (Billiards Digest – May, 2007) – identifying and dealing with fears to create courage
  • Cheating (Billiards Digest – June, 2007) – how to deal with a cheating opponent
  • When Things Aren’t Working (Billiards Digest – July, 2007) – dealing with and adjusting to equipment problems and differences
  • Trouble (Billiards Digest – August, 2007) – playing position off a rail for better position above balls
  • Gimmicks (Billiards Digest – September, 2007) – basic aiming systems and gizmos don’t account for throw
  • Missing Out (Billiards Digest – October, 2007) – the many nuggets that can be found in instructional books
  • Breaking Rules (Billiards Digest – November, 2007) – straight-pool break shot strategy
  • Jump Twist (Billiards Digest – December, 2007) – the outrageous object ball jump shot
  • Moving Forward (Billiards Digest – January, 2008) – planning backward and forward to identify a key ball and run-out plan
  • Kicking with Vision (Billiards Digest – February, 2008) – practice multiple-rail kicks without systems to develop feel
  • Looking Inward (Billiards Digest – March, 2008) – examine and document your pool game through journaling
  • Shattered Beliefs (Billiards Digest – April, 2008) – the action of the cue ball doesn’t depend on the type of stroke, only the result of the stroke
  • Fear of English (Billiards Digest – May, 2008) – english should be avoided when unnecessary, but it is critical to top-level play
  • Pushing The Envelope (Billiards Digest – June, 2008) – take chances and be creative when practicing or playing for fun to find and develop new skills
  • Easy 8 Ball (Billiards Digest – July, 2008) – some interesting 8-ball variations fun for practice
  • Jump Draw (Billiards Digest – August, 2008) – using ball hop off a rail to delay draw or follow
  • Spot on the Wall (Billiards Digest – September, 2008) – using “spot on the wall” as an alternative to the Corner-5 and Plus Systems
  • Square One (Billiards Digest – October, 2008) – practice the stroke by itself, without balls
  • When Less Is More (Billiards Digest – November, 2008) – less speed is sometimes required with draw cut shots to get the desired cue ball path
  • Flying Blind (Billiards Digest – January, 2009) – practicing with your eyes closed can eliminate fears and create insight
  • Drill Baby Drill (Billiards Digest – February, 2009) – practice simple shots to develop precision muscle memory
  • Position Principles (Billiards Digest – March, 2009) – play for multiple-rail position routes through the center of the table
  • Imagination (Billiards Digest – April, 2009) – creative use of rail-first shots with english
  • Precise Points (Billiards Digest – May, 2009) – playing for an exact position target will help your game
  • Equal Offense One Pocket (Billiards Digest – June, 2009) – an interesting 10-ball one-pocket variation as a fun game
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