Thoughts on the best way to remove tension when shooting in league/tournaments?

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newcuer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am much more relaxed when shooting at home but when I play in league or tournaments, I seem to have a lot of tension in my body. Any thoughts or suggestions on limiting tension when playing? I really feel if I can figure this out, my game would go up.
 
If you found an instant cure for this, you'd be a billionaire. I personally have found that improving my level of play, accepting that I will not play my A-game every time, and perhaps most importantly, repeated long time exposure to pressure situations is the only real cure.

Some turn to alcohol or other substances, but for obvious reasons I don't recommend this path.
 
The pressure is just a distraction. It's there to fake you out; influence your performance into the weeds. Get competent.
 
It happens all of us sometimes. Best way is to compete more and you get used to it and then it kinda goes away.
Other options would be search Youtube and look for fast relaxation techniques.
Practice those beforehand and then apply that tech in real situtation.
 
When playing pool during a league or tournament game I try to find a comfortable stance and stroke for each shot as part of my pre shot regiment which helps me make more shots and helps keep me in the game .
Doing this helps me control any nervousness and anxiousness if you will , if it's a long shot where the cue ball is close to a rail or you have to bridge over another ball to make the shot practice shooting it until it's second nature then repeat to yourself while shooting it , that this is your favorite shot then all of a sudden you're pocketing the object ball more often and the nervous energy isn't as prevalent .

If some one walks by or whatever the distraction maybe stop stand up and chalk up your cue again and continue your pre shot sequence .

If you miss the shot don't overly dwell on it and take a lesson from Effrin laugh about it then when you can set the shot up and practice making it .
 
Feeling a little heat is the whole point of competition. Lean into the tension. Enjoy the nerves and pressure. It’s fun. Especially when success happens. And failure is no big deal. It’s all part of it.

Or you can take up my old man’s mentality—

“The only pressure I feel is when I am at home sitting on the can taking a shit”

😜😜😝😂🤪
 
bbb said:
Yoga breathing
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I doesn't necessarily have to be "Yoga" breathing...just breathe!

I see people on league nights tighter than a Swiss watch. I encourage them to sit down when they are not at the table and take some good, deep breaths and try to focus on the enjoyment of the game. Standing around "chomping at the bit" waiting for your return to the table causes anticipation, which in turn causes tenseness.

Sadly, most (including teammates) have it in their heads that they're better off standing and waiting for their next turn. Whatever floats their boat.

All I can say is sitting down between table turns helps me tremendously! It can't hurt to try it.
 
If your league is causing you tension in your life, the best, faster, and easiest way to remove is QUIT LEAGUE PLAY. One night in my long life I tried the SHARKS LEAGUE in Phoenix.

It was disorganized, mismanaged, and a total Cluster Fook. Told the lady running I was not coming back, and the entire experience in a matter of 3-4 hour was a total joke. I am OCD about not being disorganized, and everything in is prober assigned place! Quit it, and it never stressed be again by league.

Learning the Mental part of Pool is a tough challenge, like any skill it can only be learn through Practicing until it becomes second nature. Easy for some, never accomplished by many.

If you enjoy League, then all you need do is working on what I will call being focused, not distracted.
 
newcuer said:
I am much more relaxed when shooting at home but when I play in league or tournaments, I seem to have a lot of tension in my body. Any thoughts or suggestions on limiting tension when playing? I really feel if I can figure this out, my game would go up.
Click to expand...

The inner game of tennis and the pleasure of small motions are two books that might have some insight for you.

Exposure therapy as mentioned above (go out and play more) to desensitize you to the conditions of competitive play was helpful for me.
 
bbb said:
Yoga breathing
Click to expand...
There are many breathing exercises one can do in the chair, not just 'yoga' breathing, as there are several types of those for different effects as well.

Just YouTube Breathing for stress/anxiety and a thousand different vids pop up outlining various techniques. Then use whatever suits you.

Most people don't realize that emotional states, breathing, and even brain waves are interconnected and all influence one another. Since we can control our breath, we can influence the other two. That's why breathing exercises work.
 
garczar said:
I think Fat's gets credit for that line. Buddy quoted in some AccuStats match.
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Fats gets credit for all the good lines :p

But now that you mention it, I did hear it on an old 9ball telecast. Thought it was attributed to Buddy, but he might have been the one saying it and quoting that gem line vacuum Fats.

Either way, regardless of who said it, they're right... the bigger the bet, the smaller the pockets seem to get.
 
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