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Oct 04, 2004 :: I think someone is laughing at me
Learn The Art Of Concentration
A match between two players is much like a war. Prepare for the contest. You must be ready to win when the chance comes. If you recall your last match, where you lost, you will realize that you had a chance to win, but for some reason you were not able to close in on the kill.
I hear this all the time in my Monk 101 workshops. "I lost because I was not thinking, or I was not making good choices." Not very often do I hear "I lost because my opponent was better than me and I did not get a chance to win." We need to stop losing due to our own shortcomings. In the art of war we must be ready when the opportunity comes.
You've heard the saying, "play the table and not the opponent" and this is good advice. In reality, however, you are matching wits with a live opponent. You are not matching wits with a table. And your opponent wants to defeat you. He has plans for your demise. It is a war between two combatants. You must be prepared to fight the great fight. You must compete against the opponent.
If you can get your opponent to give you extra chances, you will turn the tide in your favor. Here are a few things you can do to get that extra chance.
Be strong. Shoot balls into the middle of the pocket and don't hesitate. Appear to be totally confident.
Show no emotion. Appear to be bored by it all.
Do not interact with your opponent during the match.
If you are playing the table and not the opponent, you will not recognize when momentum has swung in your favor. Be aware of the breaks you are getting and if you are getting a few lucky rolls then go for it when the chance arises.
When momentum swings, even the weak get strong.
Play slow, methodically. Study each shot. Your strength will weaken your opponent.
If your opponent plays a great safety, take your time studying your next move. Do not rush to the table to give him ball in hand. Make him wait for it.
If you miss a shot, stand in the spot where the opponent will shoot his next shot for an extended period of time. Study the missed shot.
Do the 4-16-8 breathing to keep your self in fine rhythm.
Act a little annoyed when your opponent misses.
You are in a war. Winning is not everything. It is the only thing.
Do not shark your opponent or interfere with his right to shoot. You can unnerve him/her by your actions alone.
Always believe that the rolls will go your way so don’t be surprised when they do.
