quitecoolguy said:
I wonder if anyone else has the problem that i am about to confide to Thousands of people around the world. I have a fear that I KNOW kills my game sometimes and when it comes up I hate it..it doesnt rear its head very often but when it does ...its cripling..this is what it is..I shoot pretty damn sporty and i have the ability to run out at any time...but I get scared....can you believe that I get scared to run out..i get worried around the 3rd ball i pocket that im gona run down to the 7 or 8 and lock a ball up that I find my self missing the 3 or 4 on purpose making the other guy run out and hope that he screws up..I hate that i do that..I wish i could develop that killer instinct...blood in the water,,,shark mentality to not worry about missing..and just know without question that im out. Like i said i dont always feel that way..sometimes...i dont care where im left on the table..I have that 1000 yard stare and just know im out..anyone else have this come up.
Quitecoolguy has exposed the one weak link in his chain of armor..heheh
QCG,
It's good that you can admit this very common obstacle. Many players will not admit that it is a chronic problem in their game and hence they are likely to never conquer it.
It is very rare to find players who play most their competition matches without fear. The few that you will see are likely great players. Some may be guys who don't play so well, but just do not care about the result (such people are very rare and normally don't stick with the game).
Anyway, some recommendations to reduce your fear:
Fear comes from doubt. It can be doubt about your ability to perform certain shots, doubt about how you'll deal with losing or winning. The best solution for this aspect is practising a lot and learning what you can and can't do, and becoming more familiar with playing under competitive situations.
The other solution is a difficult one, but a very powerful one. It is to change the nature of the focus of your desire. To change your goals at the table, to goals that you can control. If you can control a goal, then doubt is less likely to creep in, and hence fear does not come into play.
So, instead of having the focused goals of winning, make ball x, don't leave shot on oppnent's ball y, with an emotional attachment to the end result of such shots, you can change your thinking to something like the following.
------------
Controllable Goals:
1. I will endeavor to
study the table and commit to the most appropriate shot.
2. I will endeavor to
execute this shot to the best of my ability without letting myself get distracted.
3. I will
accept the result of the shot and endeavor to learn from my strengths or weaknesses in execution.
4. I shall admonish myself mentally whenever the focus of my desire turns toward the wish for winning, wishing not to miss a shot, good fortune, bad play by the opponent or any other selfish goals that do not accord with the goals listed above.
---------------------
If the goals above can become the focus of your desire, then there is nothing to doubt or to fear, accept the fear of allowing your uncontrollable desires to take over. That is, the fear of yourself (whichis better than having a fear of something external as their is hope of gaining control over it). You will begin to play at or near to the best of your ability, and the results will come by themselves.
Wishing for good results is a kind of mental cancer. It leads to the dread of bad results.
Great players simply believe they will have good results, but this belief stems from past experience which has removed doubt.
Colin
Where do I sign up?
