ideas on stamina for long tournament play?

oldplayer

oldplayer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
on az posts from the past, i've learned not to excercise with weights the same day of play, do not have big meal just before play, and other helpful ideas. i would appreciate some helpful ideas on stamina. the other day i got to the pool hall at 3:30 pm and played until 2 am with a 45 minute break between one match. around 12:30 am my mind & body basically shut down. no more focus or concentration and the muscle memory had forgotton everything or just went to sleep on me. i tried shaking my head to get awake, tried a soda for the sugar, nothing worked. i lost the match at 1:30am finishing just out of the money. had i been able to "hold on" another hour or so,"momma" would have had some money to spend. so, what ideas are out there to get some sort of boost late into the night and get back the concentraion and all, even if for just for a short time? is it some mental trick or chocolate bar or what? help, momma needs some spending money! :grin-square:
 
Option?...

cocaine.jpg

not that I recommend this sort of thing
 
I try to keep moving around. Normally in tournys you end up with a long break towards the end of the tourny. I found that it kills me because I would sit down and I would be tired pretty quick. Drink lots of water.
 
But really,,,stay away from any alcohol. And stretch your legs every chance you get. Toes on something and lean forward stretching the calves.

And it might sound silly,,but I tighten my shoe laces just before each match. Very tight,,lol,,not sure what it does,,but try it,,you will see. Just remember to loosen them after.
 
Just like Minnesota Fats in the "Hustler" movie, spash some water on your face, kinda clean yourself up between late night matches. It will wake you up, revitalize your awareness and give you a shot in the arm. I also like to change my socks after a few hours on my feet. Fresh clean socks really help my feet out. Puts the spring back in my step.

Eat some small snacks thoughout the tournament...nuts and chip, high in carbs, will keep you 'up' better than a candy bar. With sugar, you have a good high, but you will crash too.

Some one mentioned drink lots of water. That is very good advise. You will dehydrate quickly during a tournament and you won't even notice it. Buy a bottle of water at the start and refill it before each match. Keep drinking throughout the match.

But probably first and foremost...start a walking resigm. Walk a couple miles everyday. That is a great base for stamina. Keeps your blood circulating and your legs strong. Take a short walk between matches if time allows. Get outside, in the fresh air, and walk for 10 minutes...that will help alot.

These are some of the things I do and it seems to help me. Being physically fit is an important part of playing long tournaments.

Good luck to you...Ken
 
I think the biggest thing is stay hydrated. Don't use caffeine or sugars for boosts of energy until you're almost done as a last resort. In the long term it will burn you out so if you use it early, you'll feel like crap a couple hours later.

Don't have any large meals but snack on things like granola bars, stay away from anything with lots of fat (burgers, fries... etc.). The day before a long tournament, have some complex carbs like pasta, they provide more sustained energy than simple carbs like sugars do.

When you're not playing, I'd say give your mind a rest as well and do something stimulating but not pool related. Take a book or movie on a tablet with you but don't sit still in one place, take frequent walks to keep the blood flowing.
 
oldplayer said:
on az posts from the past, i've learned not to excercise with weights the same day of play, do not have big meal just before play, and other helpful ideas. i would appreciate some helpful ideas on stamina. the other day i got to the pool hall at 3:30 pm and played until 2 am with a 45 minute break between one match. around 12:30 am my mind & body basically shut down. no more focus or concentration and the muscle memory had forgotton everything or just went to sleep on me. i tried shaking my head to get awake, tried a soda for the sugar, nothing worked. i lost the match at 1:30am finishing just out of the money. had i been able to "hold on" another hour or so,"momma" would have had some money to spend. so, what ideas are out there to get some sort of boost late into the night and get back the concentraion and all, even if for just for a short time? is it some mental trick or chocolate bar or what? help, momma needs some spending money! :grin-square:
Click to expand...



I am 66 and have a prosthetic and a bad knee on the other leg, so it's hard to keep my stamina. Last year I lost about 30lbs and that helped tremendously with doing bench and arm work in the gym. Also I don't eat any meals in a tournament until after I'm through playing for the day. I have a couple bags of beef jerky in my case and a couple packs of peanut butter and crackers. With the holiday I have found the 30lbs again so I'm starting the diet and working out again.

Good luck,
 
flash5153 said:
But really,,,stay away from any alcohol. And stretch your legs every chance you get. Toes on something and lean forward stretching the calves.

And it might sound silly,,but I tighten my shoe laces just before each match. Very tight,,lol,,not sure what it does,,but try it,,you will see. Just remember to loosen them after.
Click to expand...

flash5153 said:
But really,,,stay away from any alcohol. And stretch your legs every chance you get. Toes on something and lean forward stretching the calves.

And it might sound silly,,but I tighten my shoe laces just before each match. Very tight,,lol,,not sure what it does,,but try it,,you will see. Just remember to loosen them after.
Click to expand...

1. Stretching is very good. Fresh air too, while outside, focus your eyes on things far away.

B- Maryjane and jaegermeister

First: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=3962916&postcount=2
 
thank you for all the help and suggestions.......i am about to head out for another night of shooting and will try a couple of the ideas (not the first one, i would be "up" for too many days:eek:).....going outside and focus on the surroundings is worth a try as the smoke and constant focus on the table most certainly is in need of a change. the beef jerky ain't bad either as i thought the chocolate might be too quick of a boost and one might crash too soon. i don't know about maryjane, who is she and exactly what are her talents? :rolleyes:
 
oldplayer said:
on az posts from the past, i've learned not to excercise with weights the same day of play, do not have big meal just before play, and other helpful ideas. i would appreciate some helpful ideas on stamina. the other day i got to the pool hall at 3:30 pm and played until 2 am with a 45 minute break between one match. around 12:30 am my mind & body basically shut down. no more focus or concentration and the muscle memory had forgotton everything or just went to sleep on me. i tried shaking my head to get awake, tried a soda for the sugar, nothing worked. i lost the match at 1:30am finishing just out of the money. had i been able to "hold on" another hour or so,"momma" would have had some money to spend. so, what ideas are out there to get some sort of boost late into the night and get back the concentraion and all, even if for just for a short time? is it some mental trick or chocolate bar or what? help, momma needs some spending money! :grin-square:
Click to expand...


The rude-but-relevant questions are important here: how much do you weigh and what's your fitness level? (Answers not required; these questions are none of my business.)

People who don't weigh a lot and frequently exercise; particularly running, swimming, cycling, or hiking; are going to find stamina a lot easier to come by than heavier and/or out of shape people.

And I second the fresh air and face wash recommendations for short-term solutions.

-Andrew
 
As other have said, drink plenty of water. I also like to eat "lite" meaning I like to eat healthy foods as compared to heavy greasy foods. I also like to keep the portions small, I find it is better for me to stay a little on the hungry side.

If you get the opportunity take a walk outside and get some fresh air.
 
Sit down while your opponent is shooting. Seriously, it makes a big difference. Stay away from intoxicants, including maryjane and jaggermeister (which was mentioned a few posts ago.)

Don't get pooled out. The time for practice was before the tournament, the only practice time you should need is about 5 balls to gauge the speed of the table prior to playing.

I hate to contradict what others have said, but this is what works for me.

I agree with those who said you should get into good shape. This WILL build your stamina.
 
Andrew Manning said:
The rude-but-relevant questions are important here: how much do you weigh and what's your fitness level? (Answers not required; these questions are none of my business.)

People who don't weigh a lot and frequently exercise; particularly running, swimming, cycling, or hiking; are going to find stamina a lot easier to come by than heavier and/or out of shape people.

And I second the fresh air and face wash recommendations for short-term solutions.

-Andrew
Click to expand...

This is 100% the right answer. I've quit smoking, rarely drink, never stay out late and I exercise 2-3 times per week, not including 30-70 mile bike rides on weekends (weather permitting). I can't say it helps my pool game but I definitely feel better. :p:p:p:p:p
 
Maybe you need a nap before the tournament or to wake up later in the day. If you usually go to bed at 10 or 11 then it is easy to see you crashing after midnight in a tourney. I get up so late in the day usually that 1 or 2am still feels like dinnertime. Also, I usually make sure that I eat during a tournament but not much, just something to make sure I have some energy reserves. Doesn't matter what I eat. Sometimes I will eat a chicken salad beforehand but alot of times I get a grilled cheese and give half to my travel buddy. I think it works eating a half a grilled cheese a few times during a tournament. Its not enough to load you down but just enough to keep going without thinking about it. I know that he has bought into the idea pretty well as well.
 
oldplayer said:
on az posts from the past, i've learned not to excercise with weights the same day of play, do not have big meal just before play, and other helpful ideas. i would appreciate some helpful ideas on stamina. the other day i got to the pool hall at 3:30 pm and played until 2 am with a 45 minute break between one match. around 12:30 am my mind & body basically shut down. no more focus or concentration and the muscle memory had forgotton everything or just went to sleep on me. i tried shaking my head to get awake, tried a soda for the sugar, nothing worked. i lost the match at 1:30am finishing just out of the money. had i been able to "hold on" another hour or so,"momma" would have had some money to spend. so, what ideas are out there to get some sort of boost late into the night and get back the concentraion and all, even if for just for a short time? is it some mental trick or chocolate bar or what? help, momma needs some spending money! :grin-square:
Click to expand...


Coffee has helped me in the past. Brisk walks.

And you may try 22 Reishis from www.dragonherbs.com

OldHasBeen (RIP) once recommended soaking your feet in a large Kohler toilet (cleaned first) for virtually instantaneous refreshment and rejuvenation.
 
This really helped me...

Go as long as you can without it and then use some Visine...even if your eyes don't hurt or bother you. You'll be amazed how much better they'll feel and how much more you'll focus on your shots.....try it..
 
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