"choking"

berlowmj

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
How do you reduce "choking?"

For eaxmple, I was shooting very well today. But on 3 occasions I had simple straight shots for the fatal blow against my opponent & blew them. Its a good thing I was merely playing for the table or my inconsistency would have resulted in accusations of Hustling.
 
Choking, is, IMHO, a flaw in ones confidence in their routine/fundamentals. Practice your routine so that it is as close to the same on every shot as possible. Make it automatic. Then the shot will become automatic.
 
Deadon said:
Choking, is, IMHO, a flaw in ones confidence in their routine/fundamentals. Practice your routine so that it is as close to the same on every shot as possible. Make it automatic. Then the shot will become automatic.

Mike...You're DEADON about this! :D Nice post! Concise and to the point!
When you can "trust your stroke" to be able to strike the CB exactly where you are aiming, at whatever speed you deem appropriate, confidence soars!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Since the IPT scandal "choking" has be redefined to what KT used to speak so well about on camera, in person and on print media, to what he currently stutters about with his enterprise.

choking, verb, American Slang,
the reduction of one's ability to successfully execute their job.

KT chokes when asked about the IPT.


choking just doesn't look good on the page
Its a word that is more effective when heard.

I want to put another slam in there but I am restraining myself.
 
berlowmj said:
How do you reduce "choking?"

For eaxmple, I was shooting very well today. But on 3 occasions I had simple straight shots for the fatal blow against my opponent & blew them. Its a good thing I was merely playing for the table or my inconsistency would have resulted in accusations of Hustling.
I don't believe that you can ever completely eliminate choking on critical shots. Anyone who has watched lots of high level pool has seen world champions choke on shots, and that includes Efren. But world champions choke only rarely, otherwise they surely wouldn't be world champions. You ask how can choking be REDUCED, so here are several ideas for you. First, as has already been said, a well-practiced pre-shot routine can reduce the anxiety that leads to choking. Gabe Owen talks about taking deep breaths to reduce tension. Some have used hypnosis to help them control tension/anxiety during play. I don't recommend this, but it is well-known that certain chemicals can inspire confidence and reduce choking. Since incompatible emotions can't occur simultaneously, generating a bit of anger toward your opponent can reduce felt anxiety/fear. Some people never learn to play for high stakes without choking, so they confine themselves to "funsy" pool or low stakes. A last suggestion - meditation can improve ones ability to focus within the moment on the task at hand (making the shot with control of the cue ball) with less or no regard for what will happen if you miss.

As Fritz Perls once said, "Anxiety is the gap between the now and the then," meaning that anticipation of unpleasant future consequences is the basis of anxiety. We worry that if we miss the shot we will lose money or be embarrassed or both. Sufficient focus on the present moment precludes thoughts about such dire consequences. Hope this rambling contains something helpful for you.
 
Couple of thoughts here, to solve your issue....

One, take your time....many people choke because they are afraid of being embarrassed if they miss a game winning shot, especially if it's fairly easy.....in order to mask their insecurity, many pool players will hit the money ball too damn hard....the excessive force is low percentages, opens the shot up to a larger chance for error, causes squirt, among a host of other problems that lead to missing the pocket or rattling the shot in the jaws......pocket the ball with just enough speed to avoid any table roll, no harder...

Next, practice drills.....if you play 9, warm up with just the 7,8, and 9.....set up reasonable shots where you can run out at least 3 of 5 times....this should help build confidence and familiarity with the last 3 balls, which are the most important 3 :D

8-ball, throw two stripes/solids and the eight....again, set up a reasonable run-outs and keep pocketing that money ball...

If you are the type that likes to practice and try different shots with one ball, use the money ball....build up confidence as you get used to hitting and making the ball...
 
i had a friend who was a A- player and awalys dogged it when it counted, he would get BIH after his opponent scratched on the break and run off 8 balls, difficult shots and get perfect on the 9 12" from the pocket straight in and miss almost every time, he couldnt win no matter how good he could play, he couldnt get off the hill if he was ahead 5 games, so he played like a A- player but couldnt beat anyone for $5, playing for free he could win,


I have another friend who is a strong A player, and he cant play for more that $20, in a tournment if he draws Archer he might win in the first round but when he gets in the $$$ anyone can beat him, he just lacks self confidence. He was born with all the talent to be a champion, i have seen him run more 6 packs and make million to one shots than you can imagine, but he cant do it for $100.
 
I was like this when starting out.. I could play in practice lights out but not for the $$. I was told to find some nits to gamble cheap for 2 a game. (I was young here and 20 bucks meant something). So then I got used to it after losing about 40 bucks :D. Then 5 a game. Then after that it didnt matter how much it was for. it was all the same. That was getting used to playing for money.

Then I had a problem playing on the finals table in tournaments. I would get to the winners half every time and usually win that and then I would have to play someone I beat coming back from the losers bracket. All the people would be gathered around to watch the final game and that pressure killed me too. Got me to the point I split at the end every time with strangers in fear of choking. Then I realized that was a .... not a good thing to do so I started losing.. and losing.. until I won and got used to it.

You can have confidence in your stroke and still choke. Hell I did :(. When you get that "stage fright" feeling inside of you your whole body goes out of balance. Just like when a lot of people go through public speaking the body produces too much adrenaline for the muscles to absorb so your arms freeze up and shake. That's why public speakers move their arms around a lot.

If I feel the pressure piling on I'll do that air stroke thing while looking at the shot before getting down to it sometime to use up that adrenaline. All you can do is just suffer defeat so many times and then something clicks. And when that switch is on nothing can really turn it off. The infamous zone.
 
I had a kid (about 20) that use to come into my poolroom. His name was Richie. He would always ask for the tight pocket Brunswick (4.25") to play 14.1 by himself of with a friend for time.

He ran many 75's on it over the years and over 100 a few times. He could drill a table length shot in at a 100 mph and get perfect shape on his next shot. He was by far the best player in the the room for time or fun.

I figured I had a ringer right under my nose...so I took him down the road to Bayshore Billiards and matched him up with a guy that was about a high C player. I put a $100 on him and he couldn't run three in a row. It wasn't even his money that he was playing for. I never seen anyone choke that bad in my life. Johnnyt
 
Some great advice on this thread, particularly from Deadon and BillPorter. Rep to both of you!

One aspect that should be mentioned is money! For most of us, the pressure is increased if the money that we're playing for will affect our ability to pay the rent/mortgage, car note, etc. Thus, it helps to either have a backer, be dead broke, or be ocean deep. In either scenario, you're not betting your rent money!

The other thing is just plain old experience! The more you put yourself in pressure situations the better you will be able to handle the pressure, and you may very well get to the point that the additional pressure raises your level of play rather than erodes it. If you play enough times for serious cheese and/or a coveted trophy, you will have occasions when you dog it and occasions when you rise to the challenge and shine. Learn from the former and use the latter to build your confidence.
 
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My 2 cents for what it is worth.

Don't adjust to the other guys speed, this has happened to me a few times over the years.

Ya know..your playing the guy that has a fast speed, shoots fast, chalks fast, you can see his toes twitching in his shoes.:p

I have choked or missed a few critical shots cause I let the guys speed influence me into shooting faster than normal, in other words.

I let him break my routine.:mad:
 
I must add that for years I was known on St. Thomas as a good player who couldn't play for big money. That all changed one Friday night about nine years ago when I got in the box playing 8-ball for $300 a game against a local player who I knew I shot better than, but who had often outmoved and outgambled me and had just, to be honest, played more steady for the cash.

He was getting backed, so he had no financial worries, and all I had was $600 in my pocket which was really supposed to go towards the mortgage. I had already made up my mind that I simply couldn't go home broke, so I decided that I would try like hell to win the first game but if I didn't, I would have to pull up and at least have something to work with for the rest of the weekend. But I had to try--the backer reeked with that unmistakable odor of disposable cash and I knew I had been putting in the work on the table!

It came down to the layout below where he had me in a trap and I unleashed a kick with perfect position on the eight ball. From there I could do no wrong and ran out from everywhere to pluck him for $1200 in about 30 minutes.

CueTable Help



That session proved to be the critical confidence builder for me, and within a few months I was matching up with visiting road players for $1000 a set and coming out winner!
 
Thank you so much

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the wisdom so freely shared on this board. You are also a great source of inspiration. Thank you again.
 
If you pay attention the next time you choke, you probably can figure out what happened physically when you missed. Did your elbow drop? did you stand up or shift your shoulder? Did you put last moment english on the ball in an effort to steer the ball in?

If you can identify one physical error, you can focus your attention on excecuting that part of your shot correctly the next time you are worried that a choke-stroke is coming. Note that I mean making a positive effort to excecute correctly, not a negative effort to not screw up. "I will keep my head still" rather than "I won't lift my head up".

For me, anxiety makes my eyes wander from the contact point. Therefore, I can fight against a choke by bringing my attention to pointing my eyes at the contact point.

I hope I was at least somewhat clear, it's late.
 
berlowmj said:
I can't tell you how much I appreciate the wisdom so freely shared on this board. You are also a great source of inspiration. Thank you again.

Hello Partner, there were some really good suggestions throughout this thread that should help, however, I think the following was over looked.

When addressing any shot at the table whether it is a true hanger or a difficult cut, no matter who you are playing, or the importance of the shot at that time you must always do the following.

1. When it is your turn first take your time and examine the table. During this time all of your attention should be focused on the lay of the balls, nothing else.

2. Never change your pre-shot routine: Many times when a player becomes nervous they rush themselves. This must be avoided at all costs, always take the necessary time / warm-up strokes for each shot, no matter how easy!!!! even give a hanger the same respect you would give a bank or a difficult cut.

3. Make-up your mind: Whether you choose the shot that will allow you to continue shooting or play safe, you must be decisive. If you have doubts once you are down in your pre-shot routine, STOP, stand-up and re-examine the table DO NOT PULL THE TRIGGER AT THIS TIME. This is a critical mistake that people make when they are nervous, your mind must be focused there can be no doubt, and you must not RUSH.

4. Never forget you are in control when you are at the table: Take your time follow the above and focus focus focus on what you are doing.

5. Treat every game you play the same way: Whether playing for nothing during practice or whether facing a difficult shot against a tough opponent always apply the same principles in your game. This is the second most important part of your practice time, never just bang balls, practice as you want to play.

6. Last remember, fear can never be destroyed, since you create all your fears only you can over come them. By staying focused, and following your training (Practice), and understanding your fear, you can use your fear in a positive manner. In fact fear can be a good thing, it can help you to stay alert and stay focused, and this will make your opponent afraid.

Good luck Partner, and have a great night!!!
 
BTW, another thought.

Sort of like Craig's 6.

State of mind. Like a good huntin' dog, that's my bird! (9) ball.

I don't think it is wise to think about not repeating a previous mistake, as suggested earlier.

Mike
 
Is it possible to appear to have choked if the reason in your mind could be over confidence? I ask this after my efforts in a 9 ball tourney on Thursday night. My first round game was against a guy I'd seen play before but hadn't played him myself. I really wasn't too worried about him but as usual in tourney play I was tense to start with, and dropped the first rack in a race to 4. I was a little pissed at myself & took the next 3 racks, feeling looser & more confident. Now I'm thinking I'm 3-1 up & ready to go, but I start missing easy shots or my position was going off. Add in some luck for him & it's 3-3. I had a good spread for what looked like an easy runout & instead of playing my usual quick game I'm studying every ball & make a pigs ear of it!

I wish I could get past this, I never used to have any problems at finishing opponents off. Hell, the more I could embarass them the better! Nowadays that winning line is hard to cross & it annoys the hell out of me when I know that it's not the other guy that beat me but my own inner turmoil!

I know the answer is out there (or in there!) & I'm sure I'll work it out but damn, it's frustrating!!
 
Transition to Bar room play

manwon said:
Hello Partner, there were some really good suggestions throughout this thread that should help, however, I think the following was over looked.

When addressing any shot at the table whether it is a true hanger or a difficult cut, no matter who you are playing, or the importance of the shot at that time you must always do the following.

1. When it is your turn first take your time and examine the table. During this time all of your attention should be focused on the lay of the balls, nothing else.

2. Never change your pre-shot routine: Many times when a player becomes nervous they rush themselves. This must be avoided at all costs, always take the necessary time / warm-up strokes for each shot, no matter how easy!!!! even give a hanger the same respect you would give a bank or a difficult cut.

3. Make-up your mind: Whether you choose the shot that will allow you to continue shooting or play safe, you must be decisive. If you have doubts once you are down in your pre-shot routine, STOP, stand-up and re-examine the table DO NOT PULL THE TRIGGER AT THIS TIME. This is a critical mistake that people make when they are nervous, your mind must be focused there can be no doubt, and you must not RUSH.

4. Never forget you are in control when you are at the table: Take your time follow the above and focus focus focus on what you are doing.

5. Treat every game you play the same way: Whether playing for nothing during practice or whether facing a difficult shot against a tough opponent always apply the same principles in your game. This is the second most important part of your practice time, never just bang balls, practice as you want to play.

6. Last remember, fear can never be destroyed, since you create all your fears only you can over come them. By staying focused, and following your training (Practice), and understanding your fear, you can use your fear in a positive manner. In fact fear can be a good thing, it can help you to stay alert and stay focused, and this will make your opponent afraid.

Good luck Partner, and have a great night!!!

Eloquent! Another page of your textbook completed. Your points also apply to the transition from a pool room to playing in a bar.

The transition from the 9' table to the bar table builds confidence. But the juke box, loud bar chatter, & bimbos bumping your arm as they strut their mating rituals also challenge concentration. In this tiny town the one bar is the only place where a pool table is available. Its like moving from bullseye pistol shooting at a gun club to a firefight. Thanks again.
 
It can help to have a good rhythm overall. If you rush shots without being committed to what you're doing, and without really studying the shot, you dog it. If you agonize over it because you don't like the shot and can't bring yourself to shoot it, you dog it.

Something that really helped me not to choke is this: if it's a game where there's more than 1 shot available, make sure you really like the shot choice you've made. Don't go into it half-cocked, that increases the choke factor by 10. If there's only 1 ball to play (i.e. 9 ball) make sure you're committed to the english and speed you've chosen. If you subconsciously know you don't like what you're about to try, you'll dog it.

Once you've made up your mind, commit to it. Take your time with it, and don't be afraid to stand up and then line up on the shot again if something just doesn't feel right. Maybe you can sense the guy behind you waiting for you to move, maybe you spot something shapely out of the corner of your eye and your eyes keep roving there. If you feel distracted, get up and then wait until you feel settled before you shoot.

But don't do that so often that you rattle yourself and put yourself in a bad rhythm =)
 
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