Choke artist!

Keith Jawahir

Keith Jawahir

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
As the name of the thread implies, I'm a horrible choke artist. This has been going on for years. If I'm playing someone I'm familiar with, I can play my game at my normal speed. If I play in a tournament(even a small weekly one) or in a money game, I choke my brains out, and it's like I've never seen a pool table before. I'm sure I'm not the first, but how did everyone else overcome this?
 
I just think that a lot of us are not pro poolplayers, and even they miss easy shots once in a while.
When I'm nervous or about to gag, I concentrate more on allowing my cue to do the work.
It's all about the cue, which is a good reason to have a well adjusted cue.
 
a few things help me. One that seems exceptionally dumb is instead of really concentrating on planning next 3-4 shots I stop for at least a short while particularly worrying about trying to get precise cue placement. Instead of my normal expect the cue ball within 6 inches of this spot, I just go with somewhere in that 1/4 - 1/2 of the table in 9 ball. In 8 ball I don't even pay attention at all. That gives you a bit of just relaxation as you only have to concentrate on sinking this one current ball, and the rest doesn't matter.

putting your cue down instead of holding it when the opponent shoots helps some too surprisingly.

When I'm feeling that way and I have time to hit the jukebox while the opponent is playing, I'll put on any of a number of different specific songs that get me into a groove, songs I normally would use in the gym for workouts. Alternatively if the league or who you are playing against doesn't mind or have a rule against it, having an mp3 player and some of those songs loaded on it to listen to can do the trick. You'd be surprised at some of the song choices I have :D
 
Keith,

IMHO...

You have to want to win. I'm sure that you do. Then you have to do the work that it takes to win. The win will not be given to you. Sounds like you're not working enough.

By work, I mean a really focused effort. You asked how 'we' overcame it.

Well my answer is focus. Especially when up against tough competition. By focus I mean fully.

When I'm playing seriously, my eyes never leave the table & I hardly hear anything & if I do hear something, I ignor it. I never put my cue down because I want to be at the table. I can't win with my cue out of my hands, leaning somewhere. I want to stay connected to my cue as though I was still playing, because I am still playing. I may not be shooting but I'm still focused on the game on the table. Pay attention to everything that happens on that table.

When you have that kind of focus, nothing can distract you from your goal, which is to win that game. When that game is over regardless of the outcome, stay focused. Forget the last game & focus on the table for the next game. Try to take no breaks, but if you have to go to the rest room or get somethig to drink stay focused on the table & the real task at hand. When it is all over, then you can relax & enjoy it.

Keep in mind that I am not an instructor. I am sure that they will have very good & very specific advice for you.

Best Wishes & Good Luck,
 
thank you...

Some really good advice here. Thanks everyone for your input. I've jotted some notes down and I'll be taking it to the table with me. Any advice on how to practice putting yourself into pressure situations?
 
Keith Jawahir said:
The entire match.
Click to expand...

Well, if it's for the entire match, it's not choking. You've got stage fright, or another term would be performance anxiety. There are lots of sports psychology books out on that topic for all different kinds of sports. It doesn't really matter what the sport is, the anxiety is pretty much the same. Do some research. I'm sure you will find some answers.

By the way, your situation is not unusual at all. You just have to figure out how to take control. The books can help.
 
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