Compete without fear

Bob Jewett said:
A book that helped me was "The Inner Game of Tennis".
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Best sports psych. book ever. Another that applies to pool is 'Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect' by Bob Rotella. Just have to have a real solid PSR and don't worry about the outcome. Look, the worst that can happen is you lose a game/set of pool. Enjoy being nervous, your opponent is going thru same shit.
 
ShootingArts said:
For me it is as simple as breathing. Fast and shallow to up my emotional temperature, slow and deep to lower it.
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While I have not thought of the fast and shallow, probably because it just happens. I do force the slow and deep by puffing out the cheeks while puseing the lips to restrict the exhale.
 
In the current snooker Saudi event, The post match interview with Slessor touches on his mental switch. The frame of mind and outlook change allowed him to prevail against Mark Williams.
As Yogi Berra said, "Half the game is 85% mental."
 
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SeniorTom said:
I have been playing pool now for about 3 years now and I am a 500 Fargo level. In the three years I have been playing it is rare for me to be in competition without some sort of fear or stress over missing a shot or losing. It's the same apprehension and fear that all players suffer, and it can ruin your game. Although, there have been times when for whatever reason I have competed devoid of any apprehension or fear, where my skill set came out fully unimpeded, and I have excelled in my game in those moments. I have run tables and made amazing shots when fear is gone, but it is so difficult to get to that point. I am not sure how to get to that point of being without fear of losing or missing, but when I do I am a very good player. Any tips on how to get to that point? Have you had times when you have played when you didn't have any fear? Are there techniques I can use to help me reach this goal?
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Turn fear into anger. Let fear feed you. But be careful because doing this will make both fear and anger disappear from your game. You will need to find new fuel for your game. At that point you will have to look for loud mouths to play.

I miss my friend fear now. He rarely comes to me these days. But when he does... IT's ON. Fuel for anger and razor sharp focus. I feel like hulk and the more you poke me the bigger I get.
 
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