Does anyone else have this problem?

ICUE

ICUE

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have noticed that I play/practice on my own table (9foot) better than when I play in the local tournement. If I could play in tournements regularly I would, but I am over 1 hour away from the local room and it is too though to play in the tournament, then be ready for work at 6am. Anyway, I have spent a great deal of time thinking why everything looks and feels a little different when I do get the time to compete. My conclusion was that even though I thought I had a preshot routine it was incomplete. My thought was if I make a preshot routine that accounts for every aspect of the shot, from breathing, analysis, visualization, warmup, eye pattern and then stroke, then every shot would be the same no matter where I am playing. Excessive nervousness is not a problem for me as I have competed in lots of sports.
I am sure this play/practice competing diffence is quite common. If you have done something that you were able to do to help you remedy this I would be interested in your solution. Of course competing regularly would be the best answer but it not so easy for me
 
I think its a matter of you have to practice competing to b able to deliver your game at a competition. good luck Petey
 
The more tournaments you play, the more you are familiar with all of the possible of outcomes of every action. You know what to expect. You tend to relax more. There is less to worry about. Play more tournmaments.
 
it sucks to hear it but even though competing more is not an option for you, it's the solution to your problem. Make it an option...

Beyond that, I have a little theory that I jokingly call the power of negative thinking. Go in there assuming you will suck and lose, and treat your entry fee as a donation rather than as an investment. Assume you're coming home empty handed. Then try not to worry or care while you shoot since it's an absolute given that you're going 2 and out.

This may not work for everyone but it works for me. Many will say the best way to win is to visualize winning and assume you're going to win and go in full of confidence. Also worth trying if the 'who cares' mindset doesn't work for ya.
 
everyone plays better on their home table. it's like home field advantage in other sports.
there's no substitute for competition tho, especially when you stand to lose cash:) i say you should match up and gamble as much as possible. it's the best thing you can do for your game, bar-none.
 
Playing better on your home table is normal. Not only so you know the table intimately (including speed and lighting) but even the familiarity of the surroundings comes into play.

As for playing better in tournaments, that requires competing more.

For simply playing better in the pool hall (or even at tournaments to a degree) try and get there early or the day before and get some table time in. This will also help you acclimate to the table lighting, speed, and the surroundings.

It would also help a little if the cloth color on your home table matches where you play.
 
Start competing with yourself and then you can compete with anyone. For instance. Play olympic 9-Ball and keep score.

http://www.sunburstselect.com/PBReview/Olympic9Ball.htm


Now try to beat your score. There is no tougher competition than your last best game.

I think that when you learn to concentrate and can learn to ignore everything in the room, including the loud music you like and play at a level that is irritaing, you can play anyone, anywhere any time. Learning to have full concentration is difficult.


http://www.sunburstselect.com/PBReview/LearningMentalControl.htm

Just some food for thought.
 
The mental part of this game cannot be under stated. When playing against others, especially tourneys, there is mental pressure that is not present when practicing. I've seen guys practice like crapola, but get them under pressure, and you would swear it is not the same person playing. They don't miss.
Preshot routine, concentration, and keeping it positive on the mental field is paramount. I can't tell you how many times I've come back from a deficit to win simply because I din't give up....and kept a positive mental attitude....no matter what the score.
Hang in there and keep it positive....no beating yourself up....and try to compete against others more often. Good luck.
 
Absolutely - I think I play 33-50% better when playing out of tournament/league conditions where nothing is at stake and no one is really watching me.

It's almost all mental.

My challenge is to learn how to play that well while points or money are on the line and there's an audience other than just my opponent watching me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top