Entries by Theresa Whitten

Being in "the zone" or "playing out of one's mind" when you're playing pool or snooker is an exhilarating stage of our play, and sometimes it's hard to find ourselves there again. There is no interference from conscious thought, we lose ourselves in the action and continually breaking the false limits placed on our potential. I would like to get a group together and meet on a regular basis. The aim of the group is to assist players' in their mental approach, and be the best they can be. It would only benefit players who practise SOLO regularly and are very familiar with their own games.

Errors in your performance when playing snooker or pool usually takes place in your mind before they express themselves in action. Our brain is in constant dialogue which can create limitations or inner obstacles to perform to our best. These can include lack of self confidence, fear, trying too hard, frustration, anger, boredom, expectations, self condemnation.

First thing first... is trusting your body.

Self 1 constantly tells Self 2 everything there is to know about pool - how to cue, stand, etc. Self 2 is the silent doer. And yet Self 1 does not trust Self 2 very much and takes things into it's own hands - like moving the body on the shot, tensing up and making things happen how it thinks it should. Since all the fluidity and timing is gone by now, you usually mis-hit the shot and Self 1 gets more of a chance to degrade Self 2. The first skill for our mind will be "letting it happen".

More tips next week.

Cheers, Theresa
(Head Coach ACTEBA)

A coaching course to qualify Level 1 coaches is being held this year for ACTEBA members.

The course will be conducted on 4 Sunday afternoons - 4 July, 11 July, 1 August and 19 September. Venue TBA.
Expressions of Interest are invited and should be submitted to Theresa Whitten via ACTEBA email (see the Commitee page or use the Contact Form).

Cost will be $100 which will include Coaching Manual, venue hire, etc. Any profit will go to the National Junior Eightball Championships.

Subjects will include: Introduction to 8ball, Basic Techniques, Skills Learning Programme, Fundamentals of Sportmanship. Theresa will also include other skills including strategy, learning from watching, perfect practice time and mind control/concentration.The course will conclude with Theory and a Practical Performance Tests.

The advantages of being a Level 1 Coach are but not limited to:

• sharing accurate knowledge of skills with fellow 8ball players


• being able to charge for coaching lessons


• Improve your own game of 8ball