Getting ready for a tournament

[wontonny]

I have a 9 ball tournament coming up at my school, and I was wonder what you all do to prepare. I can commit about 3 hours a day to practicing, and I would like to make the most of that 3 hours. Would it be better to do drills or just play rack after rack? Also, what would you suggest to prepare mentally to get over the nerves and pressure of playing in a tournament?

Edit: If it's drills I should do, which would you suggest?

 

[BigDaddyInc.]

Usually i'll do some cueball position drills. But mainly drill shots for me are the shots that i have trouble with. So if there is certain shots that give you issues work on those but don't over do it.

I do drill shots for maybe 30min then allow myself to just throw balls up and try to run out for 30 then if you want do more drills.

As far as nerves, well they happen the best way to prepare mentally i believe is sitting queitly for 10 or 15min a day and see yourself playin great and winning match after match. Visualize yourself playin like a champ.

 

[Bigtruck]

I have a 9 ball tournament coming up at my school, and I was wonder what you all do to prepare. I can commit about 3 hours a day to practicing, and I would like to make the most of that 3 hours. Would it be better to do drills or just play rack after rack? Also, what would you suggest to prepare mentally to get over the nerves and pressure of playing in a tournament?

Edit: If it's drills I should do, which would you suggest?

I like to get in some action the night before and drink a lot. Then show up at the tournament too tired and hung over to get nervous.

Ray
(maybe that's why I aint winning) :shocked:

 

[travis13]

Being nervous is very normal. I get nervous too, but when I'm at the table I completely shut everything out but the game at hand. Just stay focused, and the nerves will go away with time

 

[genomachino]

There are so many things you can do........

I have a 9 ball tournament coming up at my school, and I was wonder what you all do to prepare. I can commit about 3 hours a day to practicing, and I would like to make the most of that 3 hours. Would it be better to do drills or just play rack after rack? Also, what would you suggest to prepare mentally to get over the nerves and pressure of playing in a tournament?

Edit: If it's drills I should do, which would you suggest?

There are many things you can do. Eat right, sleep right, proper equipment, play someone for a little bit, it doesn't have to be alot, just enough to make it kind of interesting for you. And someone you can't beat easily. Or give someone a big enough spot so it makes it really tough for you to win. You'll be doing most of the shooting and the heat is on you also. I've done this for years.

Right now i enjoy taking some of the younger lions here in Minnesota to tournaments and teaching them some of these things.


I wish i did some of them years back.

Good Luck..........

 

[Foolio]

I like to get in some action the night before and drink a lot. Then show up at the tournament too tired and hung over to get nervous.

Ray
(maybe that's why I aint winning) :shocked:

Funny stuff!

Wontonny, I would suggest matching up with players for whatever you can afford. That's one way to relieve the pressure, although some would say that tournaments provide more pressure becuase you can't continue on if you lose. What works for me when I find myself feeling the heat, is to remember why I'm playing in the first place, to have fun! Once I remember that I love pool, playing comes natural (well at least in my opinion). Don't think about your opponent, you are in control when you are at the table. If you make a mistake, don't let it get you down, say to yourself, 'thats the last time I do that this set.' Good luck with your tourney.

Alex

ps. I got a new phone #, i'll send u a pm, we should play again sometime, we can even test out the action "theory".