well it took 3 pages but i think the last two responses are gonna be in my play book next time this happens. breathing technique also, but i'm looking forward to trying the last two. thanks peoples! :thumbup:
how do you counteract "the shakes"
- Thread starter Njhustler1
- Start date
Regular white sugar? I'm going to try that or maybe some honey.
I get a case of this too my APA captain has to remind me is just a game. Yea i know but my team mates are counting on me been the weakest link on the team...my team entered our first Tourney two weeks ago... i was shaking a bunch of times(we finished second)...but then at times i get into this too relaxed nonchalant mode spaced out almost... an start missing plenty of easy shots...This is when usually our 7 shooter has to remind me to concentrate a little more...Alcohol seems to help with the been tense part but not the shakes...some ol timer told me to eat Oatmeal
Supposedly it helps in some type of way?? i havent tried as of yet...I sometimes focus on the ferrule an try to blank out everything and a few deep breaths.. an taking a few more practice strokes
Supposedly it helps in some type of way?? i havent tried as of yet...I sometimes focus on the ferrule an try to blank out everything and a few deep breaths.. an taking a few more practice strokesExcerpt from Wiki article:
"Propranolol is one of the banned substances in the Olympics, presumably for its use in controlling stage fright and tremors. It was taken by Kim Jong Su, a North Korean pistol shooter who won two medals at the 2008 Olympic Games. He was the first Olympic shooter to be disqualified for drug use."
Using stuff like that is cheating, plain and simple. Professional billiards is also a recognized sport by Olympic committee, so it officially isn't allowed. They probably don't do drug tests very often, but players who use it should be punished. I mean, come on, it literally turns you into a person you are not.
Is this physically shaking or just getting the hill hill jitters?
I'm thinking anything ingested in your body that will change your chemical balance probably won't help that much and getting a prescription for something like xanax is kind of extreme. Coffee, soda and alcohol may help, but it's also causing highs and lows.
Are you eating enough throughout the day (during the tournament), to keep your blood sugar levels constant? Drinking enough water?
Whoever mentioned the breathing was right on point. Breathe in, hold your breath for 5 seconds and breathe out slowly, and repeat a couple times.
Christian
I'm thinking anything ingested in your body that will change your chemical balance probably won't help that much and getting a prescription for something like xanax is kind of extreme. Coffee, soda and alcohol may help, but it's also causing highs and lows.
Are you eating enough throughout the day (during the tournament), to keep your blood sugar levels constant? Drinking enough water?
Whoever mentioned the breathing was right on point. Breathe in, hold your breath for 5 seconds and breathe out slowly, and repeat a couple times.
Christian
I have to suggest, again, the breathing, calming techniques. Although, I've found that if I keep some snacks handy, that helps. But, not sugar, and not soda. Caffeine adds to jitter-tendencies, so while the sugar is helping, the caffeine is negating it (although much more subtle). I really recommend things like Shot Roks, from Cliff Bar. They're small little protein bites, that don't contain a lot of sugar, but have a good amount of protein for your body. Along with water or gatorade, I've played much longer at a more consistently focused level.
nothing is full proof, but for me, those work the best at keeping my energy and focus levels consistent, while not adding unwanted affects (like liquor, coffee, soda, other things can).
nothing is full proof, but for me, those work the best at keeping my energy and focus levels consistent, while not adding unwanted affects (like liquor, coffee, soda, other things can).
Regarding "turning you into a person you are not"... So does alcohol and weed and a handfull of other things which are widely accepted. So I am prescribed this by my doctor because I shake even when I am not playing pool and I am expected to just stop taking it before a tourney because it "turns me into another person". It actually is useful for prevention of migraines as well which I used to get alot before I took it. If it helps with with pool, then great! How many other drugs out there are pool players on prescribed to them that "make them a different person".
Yes! There is a difference between buying something off the street, and being prescribed it by a doctor. There are many people that take it because they have anger issues. I would much rather play against someone who is responsible enough to seek help for personal issues. It just so happens that a result of the medication is calm nerves.
Who would rather play against someone with uncontrolled anger issues?
I was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease and multi-focal dystonia in 2004, so I shake and I have involuntary muscle movements all of the time. Trust me, that can really get in the way of getting the balls in the holes. Besides the prescribed medications that I take, I have also used many mental imagery techniques, as well as hypnosis and for me that works. I would guess that those same techniques would work for someone that gets the shakes because of nerves - but each person is different.
An Olympic sport? Maybe I missed something here.
Pool and alchol have been intertwined since the beginning of pool. So would you ban alcohol Mr. Goody Two Shoes? Or, like some of the other posters have alluded to: aspirin, advil, excedren? Where do you draw the line?
If you are serious about learning to control the shakes as a symptom of anxiety here is a link that will help you.
http://www.sunburstselect.com/PBReview/Competitive_Anxiety.htm
It is a long article, actually three articles combined. After exploring why you play, and things that induce anxiety, I proceed to tell you how to learn to control it on your own. Deep muscle relaxation can be induced in a matter of seconds after you have thoroughly learned the technique. However, it is not for the feint hearted as it will take you several weeks to learn to control your bodily functions on command.
If you would like to learn better mental control the following article may also be of use.
http://www.sunburstselect.com/PBReview/LearningMentalControl.htm
Any normal alcohol consumption impairs fine moter control. People who find that alcohol helps them play better are treating their anxiety level at a cost to fine motor coordination. For some people the trade off is worth it. If you are going to use alcohol and you are serious about playing pool you should asess yourself to learn at what cost alcohol is of use.
Other chemical controls, as alluded to in prior posts, work for specific medical problems and should be restricted to use for the particular problems for which they were created. In today's world of common drug addiction and its related problems you should be careful.
http://www.sunburstselect.com/PBReview/Competitive_Anxiety.htm
It is a long article, actually three articles combined. After exploring why you play, and things that induce anxiety, I proceed to tell you how to learn to control it on your own. Deep muscle relaxation can be induced in a matter of seconds after you have thoroughly learned the technique. However, it is not for the feint hearted as it will take you several weeks to learn to control your bodily functions on command.
If you would like to learn better mental control the following article may also be of use.
http://www.sunburstselect.com/PBReview/LearningMentalControl.htm
Any normal alcohol consumption impairs fine moter control. People who find that alcohol helps them play better are treating their anxiety level at a cost to fine motor coordination. For some people the trade off is worth it. If you are going to use alcohol and you are serious about playing pool you should asess yourself to learn at what cost alcohol is of use.
Other chemical controls, as alluded to in prior posts, work for specific medical problems and should be restricted to use for the particular problems for which they were created. In today's world of common drug addiction and its related problems you should be careful.
I drink a few Budweisers. Works every time.
I will have to argue with you about that motor control thing. I play much better after having 4 beers. So what that I have lost a little bit of motor control. Here is what you gain: a looser stroke, an uncluttered mind. Doc, haven't you ever seen pool players with not shakes anyway who shoot lights out after a few beers? Unlike you said, in some cases anxiety has NOTHING to do with shooting better. This is a drummed up psychology gimmick you guys use to write articles LOL.
So to you my friend: be careful what you prescribe :grin: Just kidding with yah.
I agree that for most people a little alcohol loosens them up and they play better. But there is a difference between playing better and playing your best! I guess it depends on what one is trying to do. Sometimes one is important sometimes it is the other.
Excellent reading material
Joe,
I've read your first article and like it a lot. I've been using deep breathing exercises for a long time now but I will be adding your muscle relaxation exercises and other mental imagery into my routine.
The other article has been copied to my pool documents file folder for a future read.
Thanks for sharing this VALUABLE information.
Joe,
I've read your first article and like it a lot. I've been using deep breathing exercises for a long time now but I will be adding your muscle relaxation exercises and other mental imagery into my routine.
The other article has been copied to my pool documents file folder for a future read.
Thanks for sharing this VALUABLE information.
the problem i have with the booze is that the shakes comes on real quick and for me its always the same situation. it's in the finals and there's only a few games left (doesnt matter whether i'm up or down). it never happens in rounds prior to the finals. and it never even happens in the first few games of a finals match. always when the end is about two games away, regardless of who is in the lead. So pounding beers and shots will probably have little impact at that point since the match will be over within 15 minutes and it will probably take a 1/2 hour for the booze to work its way into my system. :barf: