The Psychology Of Cue Sports
The Bar Stigma
OX Billiards is multidisciplinary, multifaceted, and multilayered— but fully focused on our work to do our part in transforming a perceived bar game into cue sports. Cue sports are precision sports. This work is right in our mission statement and it is important to remind ourselves and our customers why we are in business.
How can we help accomplish this transformation? Will it help to understand how this stigma was formed?
The answer to the first question is simple, we all work together. There are other clubs and organizations that are trying to do the same thing. Organizations like matchroom and the United States Snooker Association are working on this transformation. Little by little we each can make a difference over time.
The second question is tricky. I believe that if we have some understanding as to how American pool earned the bar game stigma, then we can undo it more efficiently. If we undo that stigma, we can develop into a stronger professional sport. We would be able to attract a more diversified sponsorship, more junior players, and we could more easily start school programs. American cue sports needs a new branding to accomplish this and more.
These past two years OX has offered our members and customers ways to rethink pool and snooker. If we look past the flashiness of the high profile exhibitions, coaching courses, leagues and tournaments we hope you notice an underlying theme— inspiration, education, and competition. We always want to provide more so that people can reach their potential, and a big part of that is developing the mental aspect of the sport.
OX is happy to announce that we are working with a sports psychologist whose focus is in cue sports.
Having the proper mindset in this very cerebral sport is critical to success. It will help you practice better, and compete better. A good sports psychologist will help with those good days that don’t feel that good, and those bad days that feel hopeless. What we need is someone who understands the competitive aspect of the game, is highly educated, and has real-life experience in the field.
Well, we found that person.
The Mental Part Of The Game.
Ms. Tara Donnino is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York. Using virtual and in-person sessions, Tara primarily focuses on treating adults who are going through life troubles by using a combination of treatment methods. Prior to stepping into the private practice setting, Ms. Donnino has counseled inmates at a men’s correctional facility, as well as clients at a methadone clinic.
Tara earned her BA in Psychology, with a minor in Sports Studies from the State University of New York at Cortland in 2013. In 2015, she earned her Masters of Education in Psychology with an emphasis in Athletic Counseling. In addition, Tara earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2016.
Ms. Donnino is currently pursuing a PhD in General Psychology, with an emphasis on Performance Psychology at Grand Canyon University. Tara’s research interests are focused on the sport psychology of pool players. Ms. Donnino intends to use qualitative research data collection and analysis to provide further understanding of the mental game in cue sports.
Ms. Donnino is a warm and engaging person with a a calm and poised temperament. She is a pool player and a competitive ballroom dancer. Tara knows the competitive nature of cue sports and will improve your mental toughness.