best way to get ready for a tourney
- Thread starter jcpoolgod
- Start date
Practice
I like practicing for tourney conditions, Say your playing a race to 7 nine ball on 9 foot diamonds in the tourney, thats what I would try to practice on leading up to the tourney to get used to the races. Play the ghost some sets and find someone to gamble with the same type race you'll be playing in the tourney. Remember while your at the tourney to trust your stroke and have fun!
I like practicing for tourney conditions, Say your playing a race to 7 nine ball on 9 foot diamonds in the tourney, thats what I would try to practice on leading up to the tourney to get used to the races. Play the ghost some sets and find someone to gamble with the same type race you'll be playing in the tourney. Remember while your at the tourney to trust your stroke and have fun!
find out what CB the tourney is using and get one..
and stop practicing..
if the event is happening in a pool hall find out what tables will be used and play on them... A LOT..
if it's a larger event find out as much as you can about the equipment that will be used and try to find something to play on that is as close as you can get to those conditions..
whatever game will be played play that game and only that game against the toughest competition you can drum up..
the day before the tournament don't even take your cue out of it's case..
the day of hit a few warm up balls.. and remove your expectations.. don't expect to win... and don't expect to lose..
then just play pool...
and stop practicing..
if the event is happening in a pool hall find out what tables will be used and play on them... A LOT..
if it's a larger event find out as much as you can about the equipment that will be used and try to find something to play on that is as close as you can get to those conditions..
whatever game will be played play that game and only that game against the toughest competition you can drum up..
the day before the tournament don't even take your cue out of it's case..
the day of hit a few warm up balls.. and remove your expectations.. don't expect to win... and don't expect to lose..
then just play pool...
Here some things I used to do to prepare for a tournament.
Pre tournament
1. Practice...a lot.
2. Don't play the day before
Tournament day
1. If warming up is allowed I would shoot simple simple simple shots. Straight into the corner pocket from a foot away, for example, for about 5 minutes. After that I would begin with simple cuts, simple banks cross side etc... I NEVER shot long shots or really thin shots during warm up. Pool uses a lot of your mental power. Shooting tough shots, that you are more apt to miss than make, while warming up will put your mind into negative mode. I've seen guys doing that kind of crap, standing up and saying "I can't make a ball today!" You can pretty much figure they're going to be out soon. On the other hand you should get your mind into seeing those balls making it into the pocket with ease. Get as much positive influence in your mind as you possibly can so you can walk to the table with confidence. Long straight shots, thin cuts etc... those should be reserved for practice time, not tournament warm ups.
2. I used to carry a needle and thread in my case. About 5-10 minutes before a match I would sit down and just thread that string through the needle over and over and over. Clearing my mind, focusing on the job at hand. You'd be amazed at how something that sounds so stupid can really get your mind focused on what you're doing. You need to take that focus to the table.
3. Win or lose, smile and walk over to your opponent, shake hands and say "Good game". Don't talk down to them if they lose and don't get uppity or miserable if they win. If they won, congratulate them (why not, they just beat a good player)
MULLY
Pre tournament
1. Practice...a lot.
2. Don't play the day before
Tournament day
1. If warming up is allowed I would shoot simple simple simple shots. Straight into the corner pocket from a foot away, for example, for about 5 minutes. After that I would begin with simple cuts, simple banks cross side etc... I NEVER shot long shots or really thin shots during warm up. Pool uses a lot of your mental power. Shooting tough shots, that you are more apt to miss than make, while warming up will put your mind into negative mode. I've seen guys doing that kind of crap, standing up and saying "I can't make a ball today!" You can pretty much figure they're going to be out soon. On the other hand you should get your mind into seeing those balls making it into the pocket with ease. Get as much positive influence in your mind as you possibly can so you can walk to the table with confidence. Long straight shots, thin cuts etc... those should be reserved for practice time, not tournament warm ups.
2. I used to carry a needle and thread in my case. About 5-10 minutes before a match I would sit down and just thread that string through the needle over and over and over. Clearing my mind, focusing on the job at hand. You'd be amazed at how something that sounds so stupid can really get your mind focused on what you're doing. You need to take that focus to the table.
3. Win or lose, smile and walk over to your opponent, shake hands and say "Good game". Don't talk down to them if they lose and don't get uppity or miserable if they win. If they won, congratulate them (why not, they just beat a good player)
MULLY
Interesting.. I like it.. I'll have to try that
Pay the entry fee. That's the 1st thing I do to get ready
.Sorry, couldn't resist. You have a lot of really good ideas shared already.
Dave
...
CRAP! I forgot the hookers part last nite! I did all the rest....
Honestly, when I play tourneys.....I keep one thought in mind...no matter what, I'm going to somehow win. Maybe I'm playing bad, or great, or down 9-0.....BUT I'll win this somehow.
Seems to get rid of the negative thoughts and keeps me focused on "How"
G.
CRAP! I forgot the hookers part last nite! I did all the rest....
Honestly, when I play tourneys.....I keep one thought in mind...no matter what, I'm going to somehow win. Maybe I'm playing bad, or great, or down 9-0.....BUT I'll win this somehow.
Seems to get rid of the negative thoughts and keeps me focused on "How"
G.
less is better than more
Boy , when I read this topic my mind started racing. From clip the fingernails on my bridge hand to wear comfortable shoes to bring an extra shirt in case the room is too cold, and on and on. Best bet. If your shooting good , don't do a thing. If your shooting bad , relax and go to have fun. Don't try real hard to shoot better. It don't work.
A real good idea, already posted, is to check out the room and tables. Other than that , play your game as best you can that day.
Boy , when I read this topic my mind started racing. From clip the fingernails on my bridge hand to wear comfortable shoes to bring an extra shirt in case the room is too cold, and on and on. Best bet. If your shooting good , don't do a thing. If your shooting bad , relax and go to have fun. Don't try real hard to shoot better. It don't work.
A real good idea, already posted, is to check out the room and tables. Other than that , play your game as best you can that day.
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Go to THE hall where the tourney will be, and practice, practice, practice.
Remember, if you're on the table alone, really practicing: You will hit 3 to 4 times as many balls, in the same time period, as when you are playing a game against some opponent (8-ball or 9-ball). So, when someone asks if they can 'practice with you' .... politely decline.
Remember, if you're on the table alone, really practicing: You will hit 3 to 4 times as many balls, in the same time period, as when you are playing a game against some opponent (8-ball or 9-ball). So, when someone asks if they can 'practice with you' .... politely decline.
..............
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The best thing you can do is make damn sure you have everything in your bag bafore you leave the house.
I have left things behind, only to realize my error after getting to the venue. I hate when that happens.
Other than that, relax and enjoy the tournament. I love playing in tournaments, but I never forget to HAVE FUN. Don't take it too seriously, as that may screw you up worse than anything else.
I have left things behind, only to realize my error after getting to the venue. I hate when that happens.
Other than that, relax and enjoy the tournament. I love playing in tournaments, but I never forget to HAVE FUN. Don't take it too seriously, as that may screw you up worse than anything else.
I haven't read any of the responses but the fact is, you are not going to teach yourself anything over night or become a better player then you are. Over practicing before a tournament can only cause you problems. One you may have a bad practice session and sink your confidence the night before the tournament. You have to have nothing but positive input. Practice the simple stuff, don't worry if you can't get out, in fact trying to mentally simulate tournament situations can only hurt you.
I remember practicing with Miz at a tournament and he would move the ball with his cue if he got in trouble and just forget about what happened. He set up easy stuff and pretty much just practices the physical fundamentals and paid little attention to the actual game we were playing. The game will take care of it's self. That is what you have been practicing all these years now you just let it happen.
Be rested, have your equipment ready. Also, take a reality check, it is supposed to be fun and it is not life and death. Play hard, what ever that means to you, don't quit till the last game is played, anything can happen and the rest will take care of it's self.
I used to run around with a guy who always told me the same thing when we were in a tough game. He would say, " You know how good he has to play to beat you". "If you bring your game even a world champion has to play like a world champion of he will lose."
Big Bob told me once to win a tournament match you usually only have to play your game. You can almost always depend on the other not playing his. This I don't think applies to world class play but it certainly applies to a majority of the tournaments most on this board play in. You can often win by just not giving it away.
I think I may have rambled a bit in this post but I hope there was something that you find useful.
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Before you leave the house, rub one out.....get rid of that nervous energy, it helps relax you :grin:
Preparation - the key is to take away any decisions the day of....
The night before, pick out what you are going to wear, decide what you are gonna eat in the morning, put your cues next to your clothes.....have all the time mapped out up until the tourney starts.....you'll sleep better knowing everything is ready and you take away any mental stress in the morning.....I like some of the ideas people posted about playing on the equipment....sounds really smart to get used to the atmosphere and equipment ahead of time.....some extra practice the week before never hurts....
Make the day of the event as easy as possible.....get a good night sleep, come in relaxed and confident....
Preparation - the key is to take away any decisions the day of....
The night before, pick out what you are going to wear, decide what you are gonna eat in the morning, put your cues next to your clothes.....have all the time mapped out up until the tourney starts.....you'll sleep better knowing everything is ready and you take away any mental stress in the morning.....I like some of the ideas people posted about playing on the equipment....sounds really smart to get used to the atmosphere and equipment ahead of time.....some extra practice the week before never hurts....
Make the day of the event as easy as possible.....get a good night sleep, come in relaxed and confident....
good advice
touney is over, i was super nervous, didnt play too great, something u guys should have told is me is to DROP A DEUCE at home before the tourney,
its pretty embarassing when there is no door on the stalll...lol
touney is over, i was super nervous, didnt play too great, something u guys should have told is me is to DROP A DEUCE at home before the tourney,
its pretty embarassing when there is no door on the stalll...lol
Unload all non-essentials
That's pretty funny because it's true. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of a run and suddenly getting the ,"call." :grin:
That's pretty funny because it's true. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of a run and suddenly getting the ,"call." :grin: