Playing scared...

Billiard Architect

Billiard Architect

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Played my first tourney last night (8 ball chip match)... Jitters as usual when starting out. Won my first 5 matches (killer!). Then on a kick shot against a sub par player accidentally sunk the 8 ball and the wheels fell off... Lost my next 5 matches and boom out of the tourney. I was very pleased with my first showing after a couple of years based on the beginning performance.

I noticed after the accidental loss my jitters had been replaced by melancholy resignation. It seemed every time I got to the table I was either faced with no shot or if I had one I was rolling myself out of shape.

What can I do to stay as focused when I start (adrenaline fuel concentration) to the end?
 
Welcome to the mental game.

I am sure you'll get some great advice.

All I can say at the moment is that I understand how it feels and I am confident you can get passed it if you are determined. Don't let it stop you. Go forward like you can run through brick walls.





.
 
Johnny "V" said:
Played my first tourney last night (8 ball chip match)... Jitters as usual when starting out. Won my first 5 matches (killer!). Then on a kick shot against a sub par player accidentally sunk the 8 ball and the wheels fell off... Lost my next 5 matches and boom out of the tourney. I was very pleased with my first showing after a couple of years based on the beginning performance.

I noticed after the accidental loss my jitters had been replaced by melancholy resignation. It seemed every time I got to the table I was either faced with no shot or if I had one I was rolling myself out of shape.

What can I do to stay as focused when I start (adrenaline fuel concentration) to the end?
Click to expand...

The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance
http://www.amazon.com/The-Inner-Game-Tennis-Performance/dp/0679778314

I can't stress enough how important this book is on the subject you posted.
It was recommended to me by more than enough serious pool players to be just a coincidence.
Everything in it can be translated to pool and your very question about focus and mindset in competition.
 
When you practice and get so far outta shape you have to kick, bear down and try your best to kick it in. EVERYTIME! Determination in practice will become determination in tournaments. I also second the inner game, great book.
 
Some use cocaine, meth, crank, heroin, energy drinks, energy shots, and a few other things.
I prefer experience and peppermints or chewing gum.
 
Johnny "V" said:
Played my first tourney last night (8 ball chip match)... Jitters as usual when starting out. Won my first 5 matches (killer!). Then on a kick shot against a sub par player accidentally sunk the 8 ball and the wheels fell off... Lost my next 5 matches and boom out of the tourney. I was very pleased with my first showing after a couple of years based on the beginning performance.

I noticed after the accidental loss my jitters had been replaced by melancholy resignation. It seemed every time I got to the table I was either faced with no shot or if I had one I was rolling myself out of shape.

What can I do to stay as focused when I start (adrenaline fuel concentration) to the end?
Click to expand...


Congrats on your first tourney! As far as nerves, on of the best things for that is also the easiest. You will overcome a lot of the nerves by just getting out there and doing it. With each and every tournament you play in you will become more comfortable with every ball you hit. The first time you get into the money will present a new kind of nervousness , but that too will fade with time. Good luck!
 
couldnthinkof01 said:
Determination in practice will become determination in tournaments.
Click to expand...

Absolutely.
If you can get your heart pounding and palms sweating in practice then you're doing it the right way. Practice so intense you have to get up and re-set because the shot is so crucial.

The right drills will lead to this easily.

On Bert Kinister's website, he has a training video with a young Niels Feiijen, in which he gives Niels a drill to perform. For the next 45 minutes Niels fights through this drill and fails again and again but progressively getting stronger and stronger. And eventually he passes it, with exaltation like he won a tournament. It really showed me the work ethic but mental cut it takes to practice when trying to achieve a higher level of play.

It's a true gem. Watch it if you can.
 
Ive only been playing for about 6 months and constantly had the jitters. But after I realized hey there's a lot of people Im not supposed to beat and just started playing my game, I actually started to do better. Not thinking so much, or getting down on yourself if rolls go the wrong way, or you miss a shot you normally would hit. Just maintain focus, play your game, and all should be well. It's worked for me, I've actually came in 2nd a couple times at our local towns tourney most recently 2 weeks ago.
 
BmoreMoney said:
Congrats on your first tourney! As far as nerves, on of the best things for that is also the easiest. You will overcome a lot of the nerves by just getting out there and doing it. With each and every tournament you play in you will become more comfortable with every ball you hit. The first time you get into the money will present a new kind of nervousness , but that too will fade with time. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Oops.. I meant to say 'first tourney in two years' sorry.
 
Play more tournaments. The more you play the more comfortable you will get. Sometimes when I play a real good player for the first time I play scared and below my normal speed. After I play the good player a few times I relax and focus on my game and start playing to my full potential.
 
Cardigan Kid said:
The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance
http://www.amazon.com/The-Inner-Game-Tennis-Performance/dp/0679778314

I can't stress enough how important this book is on the subject you posted.
It was recommended to me by more than enough serious pool players to be just a coincidence.
Everything in it can be translated to pool and your very question about focus and mindset in competition.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. From tiddlywinks to pool to golf, this book is THE guide to freeing your mind to do what your body already knows.
 
John V I am gonna give you a SIMPLE training method ..

1. Go over to a door and open it and stick your finger in the door and SLAM IT .
2. Forget that you just slammed the door on your finger , walk off and go play a piano .
3. Repeat step 1 & 2 until you learn to stop placing your finger in the door . LOL .

Being serous though you have to find a way to have a VERY SHORT MEMORY . You must understand your HUMAN and live on planet EARTH and will make a mistake and there is nothing you can do about it . Watch the guys who travel and do this everyday , even they miss and make bad choices .

Good luck and congrats on those first 5 matches ......
 
Johnny "V" said:
Played my first tourney last night (8 ball chip match)... Jitters as usual when starting out. Won my first 5 matches (killer!). Then on a kick shot against a sub par player accidentally sunk the 8 ball and the wheels fell off... Lost my next 5 matches and boom out of the tourney. I was very pleased with my first showing after a couple of years based on the beginning performance.

I noticed after the accidental loss my jitters had been replaced by melancholy resignation. It seemed every time I got to the table I was either faced with no shot or if I had one I was rolling myself out of shape.

What can I do to stay as focused when I start (adrenaline fuel concentration) to the end?
Click to expand...

Quintuple elimination? Would hate to see that bracket...... :thumbup:

Seriously though, its a state of mind. If you go there with a preconceived notion about how you should play, or who you should beat, it puts undo pressure on yourself. You kinda have to say fook it, and just play. Try to play your best and keep your mind open to learning.
Take pleasure in it, its recreation. ;)
 
Allen Brown said:
Some use cocaine, meth, crank, heroin, energy drinks, energy shots, and a few other things.
I prefer experience and peppermints or chewing gum.
Click to expand...

Ya know what they say : " YA GOTTA GOTTA GOTTA GET UP............ TA GET DOWN..........
 
BmoreMoney said:
Ya know what they say : " YA GOTTA GOTTA GOTTA GET UP............ TA GET DOWN..........
Click to expand...

Yup, you gotta practice like you're gonna play.

Repeated exposure to a situation breeds familiarity. Familiarity breeds comfort. Comfort allows you to be regular.. Bottom line, I guess...make sure you poop first.
 
strokenpoke said:
I was qurious how you played so many matches in this tourney?

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

He said it is a chip tourney. Everybody gets tokens. You play a game and if you win, you get the losers token. Each player plays somebody different next game and the cycle repeats until one player has all the chips.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top