Preparation for Nationals in April

Spimp13

Spimp13

O8 Specialist
Silver Member
About 3 1/2 months till APA singles in Vegas. This is a good amount of time to prepare myself. What do you find is the best way to do so (tournaments, gambling, regular match play, drills/training), My game has declined a bunch, some of it due to the loss of my old swagger and confidence. I would like to get it all turned around back to that level of confidence so I don't go 2 and out. I do have a table in my house for training.

Also, since there will be a nice amount of pressure there...what is best way to get over the nerves (without the booze)? Sometimes I embrace it and play better, but usually I play worse....sometimes a lot worse.

I will be playing in the 8 ball top tier and hopefully with the bracket I can avoid playing the sandbagging 6 for a couple of rounds at least :D.

I want to get a game plan and not just wing it.
 
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With three months to prepare, you are smart to want to put together a plan. You probably want to incorporate a little of everything in your preparation.
I would probably spend about 30% of your table time doing serious drills on fundamentals...stroke drills, speed control drills, stop, draw, and follow drills, etc. Write down checklists for your pre-shot and shooting routines, and work on making them happen completely on EVERY shot. Ingrain the habits now, so you won't have to think about them when you are competing.
Find a sparing partner, someone about your level, maybe even a step above your level, and spend 30% of your time playing. A sparing partner is not competition, but it gives you the chance to simulate game situations, but also being able to discuss options and different shots with that person.
The remaining 40% should be in serious competition...league, tournaments, whatever. That is where you will mentally prepare for high level competition.

As for your concentration, different things work for different people. I have found personally that an MP3 player with my favorite music helps me relax and tune out a lot of distractions. You probably want to check and make sure they are allowed at the nationals before trying that one first. Find the busiest, loudest pool room you can, and spend time playing under those conditions. Train yourself to focus only on what is happening on the table in front of you.

Good luck!

Steve
 
If I remember correctly, MP3 players aren't allowed at APA Nationals. (That's from what I've read, I certainly haven't had the pleasure of going yet. :p ) That's why I've resisted the temptation of using one, I don't want to get into a habit if I can't use it everywhere. I imagine it would be great, so I'm tempted...

Best of luck at Nationals. My completely uneducated opinion... don't sweat "the sandbaggers", play the table. Do your thing, and don't expend any mental energy concerning yourself with who should be rated higher than they are, cuz you ain't gonna change it anyway.

Wow, Nationals.... very cool. Again, good luck. I hope to join you there some day.
 
I believe you are right MP3s will not be allowed. I will see if I can get this all worked out before nationals, thanks for the replies guys. Regardless I will still have fun, I wouldn't mind cashing though :D.
 
Spimp13 said:
About 3 1/2 months till APA singles in Vegas. This is a good amount of time to prepare myself. What do you find is the best way to do so (tournaments, gambling, regular match play, drills/training), My game has declined a bunch, some of it due to the loss of my old swagger and confidence. I would like to get it all turned around back to that level of confidence so I don't go 2 and out. I do have a table in my house for training.

Also, since there will be a nice amount of pressure there...what is best way to get over the nerves (without the booze)? Sometimes I embrace it and play better, but usually I play worse....sometimes a lot worse.

I will be playing in the 8 ball top tier and hopefully with the bracket I can avoid playing the sandbagging 6 for a couple of rounds at least :D.

I want to get a game plan and not just wing it.
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just play ur game ....dont look into the future and think about how bad u want to cash.....focus on playing good pool and smart pool every rack....as far as to perpare...... play people ur speed and better and have a lil something on the line.......we all get nervous .......u gotta battle threw that .....keep ur eyes on the table at all times ......plan out ur next move while ur oppenent is shooting......ignore the rail bird chatter and dont show any negative emotion.....if the nerves get to bad stand up and tell ur self ur going to make this shot with a smooth confident stroke! and most importantly have fun with game, respect the game and respect ur opponent.........gl to u
 
About 2 months out stop taking in anything new. Work on Playing more than Practicing. There is a Day to Learn, a Day to Practice and a Day to Play, here comes your Play Day....randyg
 
randyg said:
About 2 months out stop taking in anything new. Work on Playing more than Practicing. There is a Day to Learn, a Day to Practice and a Day to Play, here comes your Play Day....randyg
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Thanks Randy, I will do some work here in this month to fine tune some things and then switch gears to work on playing more in tournaments/gambling etc. I might have a sparring partner that plays a bit lower then, but can maybe push me to elevate the game.

Any instructors heading out there to be at the event? Let me know and I will buy ya a beer :grin:.
 
Not even being funny, hang out at Big Dogs and play with the big boys. Get in the tourneys and just get back in that more competitive environment. I think that will help some, def better than playing one handed behind your back off your shoe at Stix.
 
mikeyfrost said:
Not even being funny, hang out at Big Dogs and play with the big boys. Get in the tourneys and just get back in that more competitive environment. I think that will help some, def better than playing one handed behind your back off your shoe at Stix.
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Sigh...I did that ONE time lol. I definitely need to get in the box and play some tourneys.
 
Spimp13 said:
About 3 1/2 months till APA singles in Vegas. This is a good amount of time to prepare myself. What do you find is the best way to do so (tournaments, gambling, regular match play, drills/training), My game has declined a bunch, some of it due to the loss of my old swagger and confidence. I would like to get it all turned around back to that level of confidence so I don't go 2 and out. I do have a table in my house for training.

Also, since there will be a nice amount of pressure there...what is best way to get over the nerves (without the booze)? Sometimes I embrace it and play better, but usually I play worse....sometimes a lot worse.

I will be playing in the 8 ball top tier and hopefully with the bracket I can avoid playing the sandbagging 6 for a couple of rounds at least :D.

I want to get a game plan and not just wing it.
Click to expand...

Matt, i'll be there also. Playing in the 7 bracket. Good luck, play your game.
Dave
 
cookie man said:
Matt, i'll be there also. Playing in the 7 bracket. Good luck, play your game.
Dave
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Thanks Dave, good luck to you too. Hopefully I'll get to meet a few Azers out there. As of now I am the only Iowa player in 8 ball in it :(. Still one more regional to play so hopefully we get a few more players qualified from our state.
 
Spimp13 said:
Thanks Dave, good luck to you too. Hopefully I'll get to meet a few Azers out there. As of now I am the only Iowa player in 8 ball in it :(. Still one more regional to play so hopefully we get a few more players qualified from our state.
Click to expand...

Matt. Hook up with Dave, he's a great guy....randyg
 
Don't you have to pass the Regionals in March before the Nationals in April? Just wondering...
 
JNUTZ said:
Don't you have to pass the Regionals in March before the Nationals in April? Just wondering...
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There are 2 regional tournaments, one in the fall and one in the spring. I qualified in the one last fall.
 
Awe, so you're already through to Vegas... Lucky:grin:

I'll be playing in March for a shot, only 1 spot for my skill level, but only 9 players to compete against.
 
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