when i play by myself (or with a close friend), i can run 1-2 racks out of 10 regularly. when i play my local tournament, i seriously have a hard time running 3-4 balls on easy layouts. i know im capable of doing sooo much better just by the way i play when i dont play tournaments. its all because of my nerves. how do you handle your nerves? my cueing hand starts shaking when i get nervous and its literally impossible to make an accurate shot.
Handling nerves
- Thread starter zach12345
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Ask Ivica Putnik and Karlo Dalmatin about how do they handle with it.They are very advanced in their methods.
I have found the best way to combat nerves is with self confidence. Be prepared before entering any competition. You will be less inclined to choke because you know what you can do. I also think what Tomcan says about geting used to pressure situations is true, The more you put yourself in the pressure cooker the better you will get at dealing with it.
Pool is extremely difficult sport to master, unless you practice 3-4 hours a day. There is no sport that have that many variable and all have to be right on to perform the shot. Some people will tell you just take it easy, let your subconscious take over; that is very bad advise for c,b and A players, until you are a pro, you have to think and take it slowly, sure some shots are easier than others, but shots that are hard cut, speed, position requires a check list before you go down, and a check list after you go down, and a small check list when you are about to fire.
You said when you practice you shoot good, and in game you shoot bad, sure different table (maybe), cloth, different set of balls, different CB, conditions all matter A LOT, and worst of all your break, balls might not be as easily spread as you normally like them. Lets say you mastered ball pocketing, mastering position/patterns, kicks, banks play is where experience matters
Keep playing, get into every tournament or gamble you will get good. If you think it is medical problem seek a doctor and there is great medication for it.
Best of luck.
A couple of Crown and 7s usually does the trick for me. And keep playing in tourneys. Nerves will fade.
I believe the tournaments bring a new pressure to our games. It's now more than winning and losing it involves our status with other players and how we rank. When you play in a tournament, particularly a non handicapped tournament, you quickly find out if you can bring your best game when it counts. You don't get a chance to raise the bet and fire multiple barrels and that is a different kind of pressure.
What I have found is that I must shoot each shot with confidence. Not reckless abandon mind you but shoot every shot with confidence that I will make it and get shape. It is easy to become tentative and shoot the "wrong" shot or play the wrong shape because we all to often focus on the "penalty" of missing instead of focusing on the opportunities we stand to gain by making the shots and taking calculated risks.
If you lack the true confidence in your game, fake it till you make it. If you play with an air of confidence your opponent and others will notice and they often will stress over it and not play their best.
Try it, you might like it.
What I have found is that I must shoot each shot with confidence. Not reckless abandon mind you but shoot every shot with confidence that I will make it and get shape. It is easy to become tentative and shoot the "wrong" shot or play the wrong shape because we all to often focus on the "penalty" of missing instead of focusing on the opportunities we stand to gain by making the shots and taking calculated risks.
If you lack the true confidence in your game, fake it till you make it. If you play with an air of confidence your opponent and others will notice and they often will stress over it and not play their best.
Try it, you might like it.
When playing, you must say to yourself it is your table, and you don't want anyone else playing on it. So you run out.
Remember, the game is easy. All the balls are round and they only go where you hit them.
Don't miss close. Try and roll the ball to the spot where there is no more table. Some call it a pocket but I call it a hole. Roll the balls so they drop in over the cliff.
Just make the balls.
Easy game using a stick and balls.
Heck...the pockets don't even move while you are shooting. Hunting is so much harder than pool.
I usually always miss on purpose to let my opponent play too. It gets lonely being good and just playing with yourself. People always want to quit on me.
Grinder313
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2 weeks ago I played an 8b tourney on 7' diamonds with simonis cloth. I had not played a tourney since '09. I have a valley BB but hardly use it so I was rusty and it showed in my first match. I had to resort to defense and not try to RUN into trouble. I played horribly but won with luck and playing smart. 2nd match I lost and didn't play much better. 3rd match on I was running multiple balls and won that match when my op dry broke and I ran out.
If you know your not shooting your speed play smarter and it will come to you as you will get more table time in the heat of battle.
I managed to get 2nd place through a very shaky stroke.
If you know your not shooting your speed play smarter and it will come to you as you will get more table time in the heat of battle.
I managed to get 2nd place through a very shaky stroke.
One thing I found helpful regarding mental preparedness is to begin while in the chair: While my opponent is shooting I'm saying to myself "just let me back at the table and I'm running this out on you!" This way you get out of the chair with confidence and purpose.
Jackie Stewart, a phenomenal F1 driver back in the day stated that he drove best with no emotion, either positive or negative. He was an absolute freak on the track. Just pure balls. I've seen video of him going around the Nurburgring and getting air going over crests. If you need to win, try cutting out your ego and all emotion. That works for some people. Others (ala Earl and Keith) feed off passion, and that can also be a strength. Figure out which one you are and use it!
High five Neil, you nailed it. Adrenaline, it's one hell of a drug! Some thrive for it, others fear it. Learning to control it's effects both mentally & physically is what's critical.
Breathing, it's what feeds oxygen to the blood, and then onto the brain & muscles that are in demand of that oxygen at an elevated rate.
A healthy diet, Positive attitude, slow & steady deep Breathing, pace of play & a good pre-shot routine will go a long way here.
Dopc
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