Running ot of steam

[HaroldWilson]

I play tournaments in Europe and after playing long days of match after match I seem to be running out of energy and getting fatigued towards the end of most tournaments. One in particular I was leading a top pro 6-5 in the 2nd round only to lose 7-6. In this match I barley missed a ball, my safety was tight and my head was clear.

After winning my next 4 matches on the losers side we met again in the last 16. However in this match I had nothing left in the tank and was soundly beaten. The same thing happened last week where I played two very hard matches in a row and then ran out of steam again and went out easily in the quarters.

My question is where am I going wrong? How do most players manage to keep their energy levels and concentration up in long all day sessions?

 

[Island Drive]

That's normal

I play tournaments in Europe and after playing long days of match after match I seem to be running out of energy and getting fatigued towards the end of most tournaments. One in particular I was leading a top pro 6-5 in the 2nd round only to lose 7-6. In this match I barley missed a ball, my safety was tight and my head was clear.

After winning my next 4 matches on the losers side we met again in the last 16. However in this match I had nothing left in the tank and was soundly beaten. The same thing happened last week where I played two very hard matches in a row and then ran out of steam again and went out easily in the quarters.

My question is where am I going wrong? How do most players manage to keep their energy levels and concentration up in long all day sessions?

Hard to say. During my prime years I worked out, 5 days a week ran thirty minutes every am On soft sand or rubber coated tracks and never on pavement. Did light weights and 500 crunches (5 different modes) to strengthen my core. Sleep is #1 priority and when I have traveled, I always got there a day before, jog to settle in and look for a hot tub to feel normal after the traveling. Between matches (Davenport told me this years ago) I go to the movies or whatever works for you, to detach my mind completely from match play. I sleep/nap between matches and made sure I ate every 6 hours, and ALWAYS kept track of that....ALWAYS. I also learned to play on a full stomach to keep my energy level up, and carried a Snickers bar in my case, JIC I felt my energy level drop off during play. This worked for me, and others I'm sure will have great ideas too. I've learned to Always eat before I practice, because when your blood sugar level changes, your done, stick a fork in em so to speak.

 

[ceebee]

Harold, get yourself some "SparK" from an Advocare representative. It is not a drug or Super caffeine drug... it's just good supplements to give you some stamina.

 

[HaroldWilson]

thanks for the advice guys. cheers

 

[Lynch]

Hard to say. During my prime years I worked out, 5 days a week ran thirty minutes every am On soft sand or rubber coated tracks and never on pavement. Did light weights and 500 crunches (5 different modes) to strengthen my core. Sleep is #1 priority and when I have traveled, I always got there a day before, jog to settle in and look for a hot tub to feel normal after the traveling. Between matches (Davenport told me this years ago) I go to the movies or whatever works for you, to detach my mind completely from match play. I sleep/nap between matches and made sure I ate every 6 hours, and ALWAYS kept track of that....ALWAYS. I also learned to play on a full stomach to keep my energy level up, and carried a Snickers bar in my case, JIC I felt my energy level drop off during play. This worked for me, and others I'm sure will have great ideas too. I've learned to Always eat before I practice, because when your blood sugar level changes, your done, stick a fork in em so to speak.

I have this same problem sometimes. Thanks for the tips. I try to do most of them, but sometimes fall a little short with the food. I think the correlation between energy level and blood sugar is crucial, especially in my case.

 

[Allen Brown]

Sometimes at big tournaments I go in the bathroom and see some of the guys sniffing some white powdery substance up in their noses. About 10 minutes later they are running circles around the pool table and some of them sweat like crazy.

You will have to find out what works for you.

 

[pocket]

You are an athlete. Train like one.

 

[ShootingArts]

one thing is conserving energy

Harold,

One thing is simply conserving energy. Are you standing talking or watching when you could be sitting? Sitting on a stool when you could be sitting in a chair?

I agree with what was said earlier too, relax between matches don't stay in battle mode with your mind on the event. Rest can be as much mental as it is physical. Rest your mind with some relaxing music or mellow thoughts. When it is running ninety miles an hour between matches you aren't resting even if you are sitting down.

Even the time in your chair between innings can be rest if you relax and just casually watch the other player instead of being on edge to jump up the instant he misses or plays a safety.

Breathing slowly and deeply lowers your emotional temperature and quick shallow breathing raises it. Sometimes I need to calm down, more often I need to call back the little bit of edginess I need to compete. A few quick breaths does that.

Main thing to consider is the first comment I made, conserve all the energy you can. Easier to do that than find ways to have more energy.

Hu

I play tournaments in Europe and after playing long days of match after match I seem to be running out of energy and getting fatigued towards the end of most tournaments. One in particular I was leading a top pro 6-5 in the 2nd round only to lose 7-6. In this match I barley missed a ball, my safety was tight and my head was clear.

After winning my next 4 matches on the losers side we met again in the last 16. However in this match I had nothing left in the tank and was soundly beaten. The same thing happened last week where I played two very hard matches in a row and then ran out of steam again and went out easily in the quarters.

My question is where am I going wrong? How do most players manage to keep their energy levels and concentration up in long all day sessions?

 

[Quesports]

Harold you don't say how old you are or what physical condition you are in or if you have any other medical issues. So it is difficult to give specific advice. I am 62, thin and in very good physical condition. Recently I was diagnosed with BET, known as basic essential tremors. Currently it is more of an issue in my hands but likely to be more problematic as I get older. Presently I have started to take beta blockers for it and all is pretty good so far. This may not relate to your question directly but it is what has had an effect on my game recently. I have had the same issues as you describe with stamina and alertness after turning 60 and have found that a good diet starting with a solid breakfast the day of an event is very helpful. I just started to take vitamin supplements about an hour before competing in pool tournaments and this was very effective. Multi vitamins and vitamin B12 seem to be quite helpful. I also work out three or four days a week but never on the day of any competition. Hope this gives you some ideas we are all different so you never know what is best till you try for yourself. Good Luck & Play Well!

 

[Island Drive]

Breathing

Someone reminded me of this. When your sitting in your chair waiting for your turn it's a good idea to sit UP with good posture when in your chair. This posture will open the lungs up more and allow more oxygen into your blood stream. If you slouch over your decreasing the amount of oxygen intake. This is even MORE critical in a packed room, a room with cigarette smoke or a room with very low ceilings on a busy night.

 

[Kim Bye]

I agree with the: "youre an athlete - train like one" statement.
Hit the gym atleast a few times a week, be serious about your nutrition and when playing, make sure you are properly hydrated and that your blood sugar level don't fluctuate like crazy. Eat regulary! If the place you play at don't offer decent food, try proteinbars, fruit and proteinshakes.