Well I've been home for a few weeks now, and of course I have been playing a lot of pool. Unfortunately though I'm having a lot of trouble keeping my nerves under control in games that matter. I've played in two tournaments, and both times I squeaked through my first match (it wasn't pretty though). Both of those times I could feel myself shaking in my first match. Then in both tournaments I lost the next two matches, and both times it was just me beating myself. It wouldn't be so frustrating if I was actually getting beat by a better player and not just me missing shots that I should make 9/10 times. I know that in the tournaments I'm playing in that I should definitely be one of the top players, but I just can't seem to show up. I have three weeks before the next tournament I'm playing in, and it's the biggest one I'll shoot in for quite awhile. Once again it's definitely a tournament that I can do well in if I would just settle down and play my game. Any suggestions on what to do the next 3 weeks so I can actually bring my best game to the table?
Can't control my nerves
- Thread starter legend2004
- Start date
One thing to consider is - don't sweat the shakes. They're normal and a lot of players get them even when they AREN'T nervous. I get a weird little shake sometimes when making certain shots. Don't be embarrassed by it or worry about whether anyone notices it or whether it makes you look bad. People mostly don't notice and if they do, they just feel some empathy cuz anyone who takes pool seriously has felt it.
The other thing is to be realistic about what you can and can't do.
I've heard countless players say "I was blowing shots I know I can make"... but if they're being totally honest with themselves, they're blowing shots they'd blow anyway, because the shot is just a little missable. A shot you make 80 or 85% of the time is still gonna miss one out of 5 or 6 times. It's gonna happen whether you're in a tournament or not.
Don't be too hard on yourself for missing a ball you're not supposed to make every time. By the same token don't overestimate what you think you 'usually' can do. Maybe the way you're playing in the tournament isn't all that different from your usual ability.
Go in like you don't care about winning the tournament or not. You're just entering to try your best. If your best happens to be enough to cash in, great. But you're going in only expecting to try very hard. Have no other expectations.
If you screw up... and this is something to try for the rest of your life... don't act mad. I can't say don't "get" mad. We all get mad, can't help that. But don't show it. Don't smack the stick, don't cuss and spend the next 10 minutes whining about the shot. Fake being cool and calm. Somehow faking it will actually make you cooler and calmer. If you're truly suffering from nerves and they're making you dog it... you're already dealing with one psychological problem. Don't add another one by having to deal with anger.
The other thing is to be realistic about what you can and can't do.
I've heard countless players say "I was blowing shots I know I can make"... but if they're being totally honest with themselves, they're blowing shots they'd blow anyway, because the shot is just a little missable. A shot you make 80 or 85% of the time is still gonna miss one out of 5 or 6 times. It's gonna happen whether you're in a tournament or not.
Don't be too hard on yourself for missing a ball you're not supposed to make every time. By the same token don't overestimate what you think you 'usually' can do. Maybe the way you're playing in the tournament isn't all that different from your usual ability.
Go in like you don't care about winning the tournament or not. You're just entering to try your best. If your best happens to be enough to cash in, great. But you're going in only expecting to try very hard. Have no other expectations.
If you screw up... and this is something to try for the rest of your life... don't act mad. I can't say don't "get" mad. We all get mad, can't help that. But don't show it. Don't smack the stick, don't cuss and spend the next 10 minutes whining about the shot. Fake being cool and calm. Somehow faking it will actually make you cooler and calmer. If you're truly suffering from nerves and they're making you dog it... you're already dealing with one psychological problem. Don't add another one by having to deal with anger.
seriously though, there's a lot of truth in that post. I read a story of a monk that would fake being enthusiastic when he had no enthusiasm. He said that eventually he didn't have to fake it.
One thing that can help is to focus on breathing and bodily sensations. Reason being that while you are focused on those things, you aren't focusing on all that mental negativism or whatever you want to call it. Worth a try.
bubble_cream
Registered
Play through it.
I recommend playing for money, even if small amounts, until the next tournament. Choose a table that is most exposed so likely crowds can generate.
I used to make the mistake of worrying about what the crowd or my opponent is doing when I should be shooting. If you allow yourself to become completely focused on the table you will not feel nerves. Even when your opponent is shooting let the table totally engulf your brain.
I recommend playing for money, even if small amounts, until the next tournament. Choose a table that is most exposed so likely crowds can generate.
I used to make the mistake of worrying about what the crowd or my opponent is doing when I should be shooting. If you allow yourself to become completely focused on the table you will not feel nerves. Even when your opponent is shooting let the table totally engulf your brain.
Accept it and tell yourself that if you're this nervous your opponent must be just as nervous. He's in the same boat. Make sure your preshot routine is the same every time.
When I get nervous my routine is compromised. I then slow it down and make myself do the things I have to do. If I miss, so what, I'm sticking to something that will pay off in the long run.
When I get nervous my routine is compromised. I then slow it down and make myself do the things I have to do. If I miss, so what, I'm sticking to something that will pay off in the long run.
Its tough to tell someone dont think about it just focus on the table....Its human nature that when something small bothers you it just gets bigger and bigger until its a full blown problem. Like saying to someone...."Dont think about pink elephants". For years I had trouble playing for certain amounts of money. That is until I played 2 or 3 times for that certain amount and wala I was cool. Then I would move up to bigger amounts.
Its repetition. Once you get used to the tournament atmosphere you should be fine. One thing did and still does help me is taking a deep breath and holding it.... then breathe out slowly and count backwards from 10 to 0. Helps me take my mind off things that are bothering you.
Another thing is ... and some here dont agree with... is use an ipod or mp3 player while shooting... this may calm your nerves and allow you to focus on your game instead of missing easy shots. I use one.
Just my 2 cents....
Its repetition. Once you get used to the tournament atmosphere you should be fine. One thing did and still does help me is taking a deep breath and holding it.... then breathe out slowly and count backwards from 10 to 0. Helps me take my mind off things that are bothering you.
Another thing is ... and some here dont agree with... is use an ipod or mp3 player while shooting... this may calm your nerves and allow you to focus on your game instead of missing easy shots. I use one.
Just my 2 cents....
I sent you a PM. Please read it.
jdxprs
Banned
stick to your preshot routine. relax, take a deep breath....... and LMAO, i swear this works, whistle while you're shooting.
it helps get you out of your head, and lets muscle memory do its thing.
the look on a guys face when you break and run while whistling amazing grace is priceless.
it helps get you out of your head, and lets muscle memory do its thing.
the look on a guys face when you break and run while whistling amazing grace is priceless.
Fake it till you make it, the more you put yourself in a competitive environment the more you will thrive in that situation.
I wear ear plugs. Tunes the world out and really calms me down. If the opponent says anything..I just explain that I've got AADS and the plugs help me concentrate when I play real good players like you. I think they might feel sorry for me and miss a few shots wondering what the hell that is and is it catchable (lol)? When I get back calm and into the zone, I take them out.
I saw a pro lady 9 baller wearing them on TV the other day. So I'm not the only one. I really don't give a poop what they think...As long as I win the game!
Jerry
I saw a pro lady 9 baller wearing them on TV the other day. So I'm not the only one. I really don't give a poop what they think...As long as I win the game!
Jerry
Did I start this thread?
This is a subject I'm just going to listen to for awhile . I could've started it. Its sounds like what exactly happens to me. Give us an answer. When I post I will really out myself. Legend 2004 has guts enough to do it. So do .I
This is a subject I'm just going to listen to for awhile . I could've started it. Its sounds like what exactly happens to me. Give us an answer. When I post I will really out myself. Legend 2004 has guts enough to do it. So do .I
Many have said it before. Competition in more tournaments and just focus on the basics. Approach each shot one at a time. Worry less about the next shot and try to pot the shot you are presented with.
I too have had this problem. Just started league play and nerves were killing me. Focusing on the basics and deep breaths helped me. Each match I am becoming more comfortable. So hang in there. It will come in time. And don't be hard on yourself.
Mark Shuman
I too have had this problem. Just started league play and nerves were killing me. Focusing on the basics and deep breaths helped me. Each match I am becoming more comfortable. So hang in there. It will come in time. And don't be hard on yourself.
Mark Shuman
Act as if........
Visualize how/who you want to be and act as if you are that person.
Think about the game plan and how to execute it. Plan the exact spot for the cb to land on and visualize it. Don't think about the result, just move on to the next plan/shot.
Take deep breaths and when you exhale relax the upper body muscles... neck, shoulders etc.
Do NOT say "I can't control my nerves."
DO say... "I CAN control my nerves!!!!" And then act as if you are the personification of Joe Cool himself. Mr. Collected. Act as if you are THE coolest mf'r in captivity.
:groucho:
Visualize how/who you want to be and act as if you are that person.
Think about the game plan and how to execute it. Plan the exact spot for the cb to land on and visualize it. Don't think about the result, just move on to the next plan/shot.
Take deep breaths and when you exhale relax the upper body muscles... neck, shoulders etc.
Do NOT say "I can't control my nerves."
DO say... "I CAN control my nerves!!!!" And then act as if you are the personification of Joe Cool himself. Mr. Collected. Act as if you are THE coolest mf'r in captivity.
:groucho:
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Lots of good advice. Cory Deuel was even quoted as saying, "I hope I get nervous because that means that I'm ready."
Emotions during play have to be regulated.
Think of yourself as a lawnmower engine with a carburetor. A carburetor keeps the ratio of oxygen to fuel at the optimum level. And so you must be a carburetor of sorts on your emotions. Without emotion (fuel) you are merely going through the motions of play and the result is poor play. To much emotion (fuel) and everything grinds to a halt as well.
So how do you control your emotions when there is too much or not enough? When there is too much emotion was touched upon by a poster above. Preshot routine. Find your preshot routine. Dissect every move you make in becoming a machine. Even to the point of listening to click of the balls. This little trick isolates your emotion for the time being putting it on the outside of your subconscious. Allowing you to concentrate on the present shot only.
Consider yourself lucky in one aspect. The fix for no emotion is much harder. No emotion = no motivation. You need to find the reasons why you play the game. You must ask yourself detailed questions and answer them honestly.What makes it fun and challenging? Those reasons are actually a long list and the more you identify from that list the more you have in your arsenal to combat the effect of not enough emotion to play.
As a final note. In your attempts to regulate your emotions you will find that the above applied applications will take time to take effect. Much like waiting for the hot water in the shower to arrive. The results will take time. Be patient, sometimes the wait can be between 10 minutes to 30 minutes it depends on the person.
Remember when you play the game we watch the results and learn from them. Experience watching the balls roll. This also holds true for the mental part of the game as well.
For good reading on this subject I suggest, "Pleasures of Small Motions by Dr. Bob Fancher" Also another good read is, "The Inner game of Tennis by W. Timothey Gallwey"
Emotions during play have to be regulated.
Think of yourself as a lawnmower engine with a carburetor. A carburetor keeps the ratio of oxygen to fuel at the optimum level. And so you must be a carburetor of sorts on your emotions. Without emotion (fuel) you are merely going through the motions of play and the result is poor play. To much emotion (fuel) and everything grinds to a halt as well.
So how do you control your emotions when there is too much or not enough? When there is too much emotion was touched upon by a poster above. Preshot routine. Find your preshot routine. Dissect every move you make in becoming a machine. Even to the point of listening to click of the balls. This little trick isolates your emotion for the time being putting it on the outside of your subconscious. Allowing you to concentrate on the present shot only.
Consider yourself lucky in one aspect. The fix for no emotion is much harder. No emotion = no motivation. You need to find the reasons why you play the game. You must ask yourself detailed questions and answer them honestly.What makes it fun and challenging? Those reasons are actually a long list and the more you identify from that list the more you have in your arsenal to combat the effect of not enough emotion to play.
As a final note. In your attempts to regulate your emotions you will find that the above applied applications will take time to take effect. Much like waiting for the hot water in the shower to arrive. The results will take time. Be patient, sometimes the wait can be between 10 minutes to 30 minutes it depends on the person.
Remember when you play the game we watch the results and learn from them. Experience watching the balls roll. This also holds true for the mental part of the game as well.
For good reading on this subject I suggest, "Pleasures of Small Motions by Dr. Bob Fancher" Also another good read is, "The Inner game of Tennis by W. Timothey Gallwey"
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My advice is to stay drunk the entire week before the tounament. If that doesn't clean out the cobwebs, nothing will.
Great post...Inner Game of Tennis ...great book...sometimes better to re-read old book than read new one.
Hmmmmm... Now this is an idea I'll have to consider
.But on a serious note, thanks for all the great advice guys.
I used to have that same problem during league play,what seemed to help me was getting to the pool hall early(the one at which your gonna be playing) just to get used to the atmosphere.Next about missing the easy ones,that's just focus,work on it in practice,and lastly,start playing under pressure,play people who are "way better" than you,give em a couple bucks if you have to,but once you leave them and get back to a tourny and see the difference in play you'll laugh to yourself.hope this helps.
Hmmmmm... Now this is an idea I'll have to consider
But on a serious note, thanks for all the great advice guys.
Several years ago a pro player told me "You've got to become tournament seasoned."
By that he meant the more you participate in tournament action, the better you will be able to deal with the pressure at a higher level of play, and the better you will become.
Along with that goes what I call the PPG Strategy. Practice, Play, Gamble.