How Do You Regain Your Composure?

[trustyrusty]

Walk over to the jukebox and throw a couple of dollars in it. Thinking about what you want to hear will take your mind off the game, and then hearing "your" songs when back in the game might help as well. A bit unrelated but having to do with music and rhythm - best round of golf I ever played (in competition) I had the Black Crowes song Jealous Again stuck in my head (don't know why, but I was playing good, and I just kept replaying it). Stopped me from overthinking/second-guessing, and had a nice smooth 68 with only one bogey. Isn't the mind a glorious thing - lol.

As for scotch-doubles, I play the table I the way I'd play it (sometimes partners don't see things the same way, but playing someone elses game is pretty tough).

 

[2rgrbn]

In regards to the money and having a partner...anytime you are playing for money know your case or where is your comfort level let's say you and your partner both have $300 in your pocket if you were out drinking you would spend $75 a piece so you and your partner may agree that $150.00 is your case. Nobody plans or wants to lose any money but in this case you and the partner have agreed that if things don't go well this is an acceptable loss. Part 2 of setting a case is don't put your $150 up against opponents that are playing on a lesser case / don't risk more then you stand to win. This all has to be tailored to your personal situation but it may help to relieve the pressure of "losing" the partners money because you have a mutual understanding of risk and gain going in. Money is a powerful tool for a seasoned player I have played many guys that are real good for $10 a game but when it goes to $50+ they crumble (they are out of their comfort zone)You have to find a way to eliminate the pressure of bringing your partner down maybe communication and mutual agreement prior to getting in the match would probably be a big help.

 

[rcarson]

One thing that I find that helps me anytime I am feeling the pressure, be it in partners, tournies or for the dough, is to remember that I already know how to shoot the shot. The most common shots in pool have already been made by all of us. So I say to myself, "I know this shot", then I concentrate on the other things. Chalk my stick 4 times. Aim. Practice stroke 4 times at the correct speed. Swing. That is what I am setting as my routine and I just concentrate on that. That has helped me get through things. My routine is fairly knew to me, but since starting it I am able to focus better, or at least it seems I am.

 

[2rgrbn]

One thing that I find that helps me anytime I am feeling the pressure, be it in partners, tournies or for the dough, is to remember that I already know how to shoot the shot. The most common shots in pool have already been made by all of us. So I say to myself, "I know this shot", then I concentrate on the other things. Chalk my stick 4 times. Aim. Practice stroke 4 times at the correct speed. Swing. That is what I am setting as my routine and I just concentrate on that. That has helped me get through things. My routine is fairly knew to me, but since starting it I am able to focus better, or at least it seems I am.

This makes good sense to me..........
I was in a match once and just couldn't find my stride I called my mentor and ask WTF I can't seem to get in a rhythm his comment was "you didn't forget how to play" just play pool. I don't know what aspect of the whole thing helped me to focus but I find was able I was looking for and fell into stroke.

 

[catpool9]

One of my favorite moments in "The Hustler" demonstrates this very phenomenon. Fats was down thousands and he goes into the restroom, cleans himself and you can see in his face he is ready to go. I know it was a movie, but the concept is he mentally got away from a moment, and came back to the table ready to play.

Ever since watching that scene I do the same thing, closing my eyes in the restroom and listen to my heart-beat and breathing. The idea is to focus on something other than the match.

After you have a clear head, as Brian in VA indicated, pay attention to the fundamentals during the pre-shot routine. The last thing I woudl suggest is to keep things simple until you gain confidence. If you feel you have less than 90% chance to make the shot, look for a safety. When you find a safety ask, which shot do I have a greater chance to execute.

All of this will surprisingly bring you mind back into playing winning pool instead of being focused on your previous mistakes.

Good Luck!

Great advice, I've many times gone to the washroom and cleaned off my face and regained my composure to come back to the table and be a much more focused player!


David Harcrow

 

[dabarbr]

I'm not going to give you any advice on what to do when you break down but what I will do is tell you a little secret about playing "partners" anything: When you play partners, each person must do what they are capable of doing. Do not expect yourself to do more than your norm. When you start trying to make up for your partner's lack of (fill in the blank) or try to carry more of the load than you are able to carry, things go down hill fast. In partner games there are many directions that the fickle wind blows and you have to resist the temptation to take the responsibility for winning upon your shoulders as it will only capitulate to your worst nightmares. Your partner knows how "well" you play and if you play your normal game, not expecting to play as well as he does or to carry more of a load than you are used to, you will do fine.

JoeyA (likes partner games and is very good at them, coaching or no coaching)

This is excellent advise on how to keep your composure. One of the fastest way to have things go downhill quicker is to try to compensate for your partners inability to perform. In these times what he needs is a show of confidence.

Get the best information from all these posts and jot them down into condensed forms and carry them with you to your matches.

What happens many times, in the heat of battle, is that we forget what we need to do when we fall into a rut. We try to force ourselves out of that rut with no plan. A glance at your notes might put you into focus.

I like Jays idea about changing cues also.

 

[Fatboy]

i played in a doubles game last week, my partner is a pro. We played great $50/game 9 ball. I had good shape most of the time and left him good, but being the weaker of the 2 of us naturally he had it the worst, but thats his problem and he is better equiped to deal with the problem. That sounds selfish on my part but with that take on the game, I wasnt under huge pressure to play perfect and therefore played just fine, infact better than normal. I just focued on my shot-nothing else mattered. It brought the best out of me for sure, if I did have a question-I ask him, but very rarely, we just ran out, a 4 pack was the best-I dogged a easy 6 ball GRRRR!!! that would have given us a 5 pack from the break and where ever the run started from.

Our chemistry was great(first time we played together) we hardly ever spoke just ran out, we both dogged key balls, we both made great solid shots.

After 7 hours play in 2 days we came out even.

I never played doubles before except 2 times for just a few games. It was a fun game for sure, I didnt feel any pressure which is normal for me most of the time, I just wanted to pocket balls and I did, it brought the best out in me and I am looking foward to playing a doubles game again, I can see how it would be hard for C players or some people to play, just like me playing 14.1, my hi run is still 8 if slop dosent count.

 

[dabarbr]

i played in a doubles game last week, my partner is a pro. We played great $50/game 9 ball. I had good shape most of the time and left him good, but being the weaker of the 2 of us naturally he had it the worst, but thats his problem and he is better equiped to deal with the problem. That sounds selfish on my part but with that take on the game, I wasnt under huge pressure to play perfect and therefore played just fine, infact better than normal. I just focued on my shot-nothing else mattered. It brought the best out of me for sure, if I did have a question-I ask him, but very rarely, we just ran out, a 4 pack was the best-I dogged a easy 6 ball GRRRR!!!

Our chemistry was great(first time we played together) we hardly ever spoke just ran out, we both dogged key balls, we both made great solid shots.

After 7 hours play in 2 days we came out even.

So are you saying that if you had played normal you guys would have lost?

 

[Cameron Smith]

Proper breathing techniques are the key. When people get frusterated they take shallow breaths. The result of this is less oxygen getting to the brain which leads to a decreased ability to focus.

Take a series of deep breaths (I've always been told 11). Breath in, hold then breath out slowly.

This works not just for pool but just about anything in life. I always perform this excercise before exams, it allows my memory to perform at peak efficiency.

 

[Fatboy]

So are you saying that if you had played normal you guys would have lost?

we should have won, it was a weird game we made probably 75% of the balls, rolls were about even. We didnt win from the break a bunch of times like they did(they were getting the 8 for a while) and I missed 3 6 balls and my partner missed one 7 an one 8 ball. that adds up to alot of games as the rest were run outs for the most part.

I wasnt playing way over my head, but I was playing good for me, it 100% brought the best out in me, could have I played like that alone? yes I have and have played better in spots, but knowing that I had a strong partner just made me at ease and it was fun real fun, we were all friends-the other guys could really play too, had they not been friends I would have loved that game for $500/game or more. I fed off partner for sure.

 

[speakers]

Great thread and some very useful advice. Thanks everyone.

 

[Shortside K]

right back at you...

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet or not, but this is the best move. This move was a move before other moves became "moves."

"THE BATHROOM BREAK"

As soon as you think you're walking into a shit storm, just go to the bathroom for a few minutes (make sure others are around to make sure there's no cheating).

If you're shooting and at the table and you just dogged your nuts out... walk to the bathroom and let the other guy shoot. Not sure why, people dog when their opponents aren't present - maybe a guilt of shooting or lackadaisical attitude - not sure.

If you don't believe me, try it. When it starts working like crazy... rep me.

Do You think we were all born yesterday?

I'm not going to shoot while you are away. I just wait till you come back then announce to you that I am going to take a "bathroom break". You can sit and wait for ME to come back. When I do return, I take my time over every shot (maybe even chat it up with the guys on the rail, after every shot, especially if its a simple run-out) and let you enjoy watching.

Puhleeese.....

 

[DelaWho???]

Wow, I guess I struck a chord here, thanks everyone for all of the helpful advice.

The guy I play partners with is definitely better than I am. We have played together in several tourney, winning 2 of the last 3 we entered. The one we lost, I had no business being there, 3 days after a surgury. I think I lost a pint of blood that day.

What struck me about the other day and what prompted my post was the way it happened in my head. I was like a 3rd party witness to a car accident. I could see it happening in a detached sort of way and I seemed helpless to stop or reverse it.

Going over it, it started when I blew the last rack in the first set. I felt like I gave away my partners 20, and I was determined to not let that happen again. I knew why I was reacting the way I did, but knowing doesn't equal the ability to fix or change it when you're in that moment. It was also about this time we started getting spectators, and I know everyone was watching me dog these embarassingly easy shots. It was an anguish filled quasi humiliating feeling. I would imagine it's the same feeling a stand up comic has when he's up there under the lights bombing.

We were back at it last night with a couple of huckleberry's who kept wanting to mix it up drawing random partners. It was cheap race to 3 for $5 8ball. After we finished shuffling around, I was down $15, and my partner and I (I insisted I wanted to play with my partner) won the last 2 sets.

I learned a few things about myself and my game the last couple days. Scotch doubles IMO is one of the most difficult ways to compete in pool, but it is so much fun when you play as one with your partner.

Thanks again for the advice and input. This turned out to be a great thread.

 

[jay helfert]

Proper breathing techniques are the key. When people get frusterated they take shallow breaths. The result of this is less oxygen getting to the brain which leads to a decreased ability to focus.

Take a series of deep breaths (I've always been told 11). Breath in, hold then breath out slowly.

This works not just for pool but just about anything in life. I always perform this excercise before exams, it allows my memory to perform at peak efficiency.

Good advice here. Any time I have a tough shot, I like to take a deep breath before shooting. Kind of clears your head.

 

[Big Perm]

To the OP, didn't read all the posts, so this may have already been said....

When I am in stroke, it's one shot at a time, pure focus on execution.....easy breathing, relaxed....focus on execution....

When I get focused on results....ie, running racks or just winning one game...I do not play at my best.....

Just take your time, relax, plan the shot your want to shoot and execute....some of my best runs have literally been unconscious.....before I even think about it, I look up and I am shooting the nine....my best run is a 4 pack and literally it didn't hit me until someone pointed it out at the beginning of the 4th game.....

Oh, and if you miss, so what.....if you stayed down, relaxed, and put a good stroke on the ball, then you did everything you could to make the ball.....hell, sometimes you'll even get "cheated" by a loose pocket or some chalk on the table.....so what....it happens....and good players accept that, let it go, and refocus the very next time they get to the table.....let that shot go, it already happened, nothing you can do....