how do you shake nerves on league night?

S

shooter777

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey everyone!!!


This is my first post here. I have been perusing the boards quite a bit and getting some great information from it. So I thank you guys for that. :)



Anyway, I was asked to sub in for my friend's BCA team on monday night. I did very well the first night and was asked back the next week and then again last night.



Well, the nerves are really getting to me when I walk up to the table to take a shot. Shots that are usually gimmees at home or playing at the bar with friends all of a sudden seem much more difficult on league night.


I have never played in a league before but I really really enjoy it and don't want to keep missing some very makeable shots when my team is depending on me to make those shots.


Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
This is just my opinion, but...

I imagine you're nervous largely because you're shooting for *other people* - meaning, your results don't just affect you, but they affect the guys on the team, your team's standings, etc. And you don't want to disappoint them.

When it's time for you to shoot, forget them. Forget EVERYONE. Focus in on yourself and your game. Get any "Oh crap they'll think I'm an idiot if I miss this shot" type thoughts out of your head. Play like you normally play when it's just you and whoever you're shooting against.

It can be tough - I myself, last week in league, shot the WORST I've shot in... geez, it has to be a year. I was AWFUL! And I think it was partly because of what I mentioned above - I was afraid of letting down my team. And what did I do? Just that. So I need to do the same thing I'm telling you, this week - zone everyone else out.
 
Nerves are a killer, huh! Well, best way to beat them is just stay in the fire until it doesn't burn anymore. I stopped playing for 14 years. when i quit, NOTHING made me nervous. I'd match up with anyone, tournaments didn't bother me, gambling didn't bother me. Well, after my 14 year hiatus, I came back and when I got in tournaments, I would shake so bad I couldn't crap in a dump truck! It just took time. I'm 4 years or so back into playing now and only on RARE occasions do I get a little nervous. When I do, I stand back from the table, survey what I have to do and take deep breaths... usually three or four slow deep breaths will flush the adrenaline out and the nervous feeling goes away. One big thing, at least it was for me... when you're taking those deep breaths, don't think "I'll get rid of the nerves doing this" cause it might make it worse... just take those deep breaths and focus on what you have to do to get out and then just play pool.

Bob
 
Getting mad works for me sometimes. I will find any little thing about my opponent or something that happened in a previous game and just get mad about it. Hard to be nervous and mad at the same time. A couple of beers also helps me get rid of jitters. I have to play tonight, 2nd match on the losers side in the playoffs. Do or die time and I can already feel the jitters coming on. Confidence is also a good nerves killer. If you can play long enough before the match starts to get comfortable, just carry that on over to league. I used to be able to play at home for a couple of hours which really loosened me up. Nobody could beat me once I got to the bar. Holding the table for half an hour to an hour is a good way to expel those heebie jeebies. Once I'm on the table I try to maintain a relaxed and confident demeanor. I will joke with my teammates while my opponent is shooting. When I'm shooting, I try to just focus on the job at hand, making the ball and getting shape for the next one. It's all you can do, really. We all lose, just don't let it be because you're too shaky to shoot. Put the game in context. What's the bfd if you screw up? Not much.
 
I just wanted to chime in and ask how many people do you think were affected from nerves?

Personally I don't get nerves when playing and i've noticed that I've won many matches that I shouldnt have(against better people, even those I was just playing on practice table and getting whupped), largly due to them getting nerves and choking on pretty easy shots... and like the turtle and the hare I just keep playing constistant game and overtake them...

I've only played like 4 matches so far, but in 3 of them it seemed that the other player definatly choked... so I'm wondering to others, how much do you think nerves affects the average league team?

80% of people get enough nerves to change outcome of games??? 90%?
 
MacGyver said:
I just wanted to chime in and ask how many people do you think were affected from nerves?

Personally I don't get nerves when playing and i've noticed that I've won many matches that I shouldnt have(against better people, even those I was just playing on practice table and getting whupped), largly due to them getting nerves and choking on pretty easy shots... and like the turtle and the hare I just keep playing constistant game and overtake them...

I've only played like 4 matches so far, but in 3 of them it seemed that the other player definatly choked... so I'm wondering to others, how much do you think nerves affects the average league team?

80% of people get enough nerves to change outcome of games??? 90%?
Click to expand...


I think a very high percentage of players get a case of the nerves... even the very good players. Ever watch Gabe Owen play close up? Man, when he picks up that ever present bottle of water between shots, the water inside it is rippling from his shakes... but, he knows how to make the nerves work for him, not against him. I always get a little case of the butterflies, but the shaking stopped after a few big tournaments. I kind of like the butterflies. Just enough nerves to give me an edge and keep me on top of my game. Now, if I could just beat the being old and having arthritis part, I'd be OK! :D
 
I don't know what to do not to get nervous.

But I know what you don't do when you're not nervous. And that is...

You don't think of past or present. The shot you missed or the shot you might miss. You stay right here and focus only on the shot in front of you. You focus on PROCESS as opposed to RESULTS.

Something else that helps imo is to have a frank dialogue with yourself. Why do you play the game? Why do you compete? Why do others matter so much? What are your feelings toward the opponent?
 
Okay i will chime in and put my two cent in..

I have to set the mode ...imagine smokey pool hall...you at the foot of the table with Johhny Archer at the bottom racking the balls ..your heart pounding ..and you get down to break..and you simply smile, zone in to the center of the one ball and let her fly..i can attest to that very feeling cause it happned..

Being nervous is so natural..i tell everyone that the day my heart doesnt pound when my name is called for a match i will quit the game..its part of the thrill of the game.. However..nervous energy that is not controlled is wasted energy. You have to learn how to channel that nervous energy to you benefit..do you think that when NBA or NFL players are faced with game wining or losing shots that they arent nervous..hell yeah they are..but they know the right things to tell themselves..This shot is just like any other shot..You can do this with your eyes shut..this is what you trained for, a moment just like this.. Enjoy being nervous..it let you know your alive and enjoying what your doing...

As for me using that nervous energy with Johnny Archer ha!! ..i broke ran the first rack..broke again..shot to the 4 ball ..shot an awsome safety ...he kicked three rails made the ball and got shape on the 5 ......I never saw the table again..he ran 5 racks in a row !! and shut me down..The man (at that time) was a &*%$ing pool machine, inhuman, but I was so proud of myself..so was he..he bought me a tee shirt and signed it..i was a young kid then.but i will never forget that moment..
 
You are feeling more nervous beacuse of the team pressure and you know what, it is okay. I have been reading this book, "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" and they talk about thriving under pressure. Most good atheletes feel a little bit of nerves is a good thing, it means your excited and this is important to you. Jack Nicklaus talks about how he stopped feeling nervous and stopped winning.
What is important is to channel the nerves into the right place, and then to focus on the game. I think with time and experiance you will be fine.
When I first started playing in leagues I was so nervous, I was afraid to drink anything, cause my teammates would see me shake!
Now, it just a nice buzz in the very back of my mind that keeps me serious and focused.
 
Common sense?

Most leagues take place in a BAR! There is a reason for this. Drink heavily and support your bar owner! Its never about the pool game when you are playing on a 7 foot table...lol. (No hate mail please!)
 
shooter777 said:
Hey everyone!!!


This is my first post here. I have been perusing the boards quite a bit and getting some great information from it. So I thank you guys for that. :)



Anyway, I was asked to sub in for my friend's BCA team on monday night. I did very well the first night and was asked back the next week and then again last night.



Well, the nerves are really getting to me when I walk up to the table to take a shot. Shots that are usually gimmees at home or playing at the bar with friends all of a sudden seem much more difficult on league night.


I have never played in a league before but I really really enjoy it and don't want to keep missing some very makeable shots when my team is depending on me to make those shots.


Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Nerves are a mental thing and everyone elses suggestions are definately good ones..

If you want the easiest / quickest way to get rid of it, have a beer or two. Just enough to relax and take the edge off. If you get sloppy iyour game will go down hill. Having a beer in between matches IS A BANDAID though. Your going to need to work through this though at sometime or another. Alcohol in small dosages can offer a calming effect and the shakes will be a thing of the past for the moment.

For longterm advice I suggest just playing through it. Eventually they'll start to go away. The problem is though (with me anyways) sometimes you never know when there going to come back. LOL

DJ
 
lewdo26 said:
I don't know what to do not to get nervous.

But I know what you don't do when you're not nervous. And that is...

You don't think of past or present. The shot you missed or the shot you might miss. You stay right here and focus only on the shot in front of you. You focus on PROCESS as opposed to RESULTS.

Something else that helps imo is to have a frank dialogue with yourself. Why do you play the game? Why do you compete? Why do others matter so much? What are your feelings toward the opponent?
Click to expand...

cuechick said:
You are feeling more nervous beacuse of the team pressure and you know what, it is okay. I have been reading this book, "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" and they talk about thriving under pressure. Most good atheletes feel a little bit of nerves is a good thing, it means your excited and this is important to you. Jack Nicklaus talks about how he stopped feeling nervous and stopped winning.
What is important is to channel the nerves into the right place, and then to focus on the game. I think with time and experiance you will be fine.
When I first started playing in leagues I was so nervous, I was afraid to drink anything, cause my teammates would see me shake!
Now, it just a nice buzz in the very back of my mind that keeps me serious and focused.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with both lewdo and cuechick in thier answers here.

Being nervous is a good thing because it lets you know your ready to play and you definantly have the motivation to play. Without the motivation you are just going thru the motions.

It is when your emotions have grip on you that you know without a doubt that you can find your best game within yourself. But it must be controlled.

No emotion, no chance.
Too much emotion, no chance.

Thousands of thoughts run through our heads when we play but like lewdo said stay in the present only. Thinking of the past or future clutters the mind and increases the anxiety.

Learn to control your emotions (but like cuechick said it will not happen overnite it will take time and experience.) Also as lewdo said be honest with yourself and ask those important questions of yourself that he suggested. This way you have a hand in shaping your emotional environment around you.

We all have a way of unknowingly putting too much pressure on ourselves by wondering what your opponent will think, what others will think, and are they talking about me kind of thoughts. Lets face it the social pressures can be huge. But that reason didn't start you into enjoying pool as a game. (Everytime you played Betty Sue wasn't there to be impressed with your prowess with a pool cue.)

You can control your emotions by finding goals that engage your attention and interest. Goals you find pleasing in completing the task. Everything else is just clutter that will build the anxiety.

P.S. Using alcohol or drugs to calm nerves is a crutch. Learn thru experience and depend on yourself, not a crutch.
 
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I think being nervous is a good thing also. I've strugled with this before. I'm not sure what I'm doing differently now, but I've been winning tournaments much more often then I did before. I think it is just because it is a learning process like others have mentioned.

Sometimes I get nervous and play too cautious and when I do this, I'm not as successful. Lately, I've been getting an adrenaline rush. I just can't wait to get to the table. I feel like I can't loose when I get this rush. It's like you know you are going to make every shot. A tough shot comes up and I'm eager to take it and I'm smiling inside because I know I'm going to make it.

The problem with me is I can't seem to be in this zone all the time. If I'm playing a more careful and deliberate game, I know I'm not at my best. Most of the time it is good enough to get me through, but not always. When I get this adrenaline rush, it will ussually last for a couple hours and then is gone. It is a sweet couple hours tho' and ussually when I need it the most.

I think your body can only play at its peak for soo long, and then it will drop off some. Maybe through more and more exposure you will be able to maintain your top level a little longer each time.

If we didn't get nervous or excited when we played, I don't think we would do it. The adrenaline rush I've been getting now is what I look forward to the most and enjoy the most about this game. It is like a natural drug which makes me feel invincable. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.:D
 
No emotion, no chance.
Too much emotion, no chance.

Renard hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned. You need enough nerves/emotion to make it matter to you, but not so much to make you lose focus. I find that my problem, as far as league play goes, is maintaining my interest. Teams often throw off with low skill level players, and the match is not what I want, boring, I have no interest, no emotion, and play flat, even though I may win the match, it is no fun. When I am playing someone who is a very good player, I concentrate more, play tighter (cue ball control, etc), and have the butterflies a little....just an edge. Use the nerves to focus yourself on the table and the game. Make certain it is nerves, not doubt. When you are ready to play, don't let your mind wander. There can be only one outcome...you will play the shot and it will go in. Your team mates are not at the table...you are. They can't affect your play, only you can.
 
I just wanted to thank you all for your tips and tangible things I can do on my part to overcome this problem.



I think I'm really going to like this forum. :)
 
I find that for me, if I don't have a few butterflies before a game, I'm not ready. That nervous feeling tells me I'm ready to go, and it helps me focus.
I guess it's a slightly different story if you have the shakes.
Just my $.02.
 
Say no to drugs..... lol

Ok, I'm not a prohabitionist, actually I'm far from it. But to state that alcohol or any other drug will enhance a persons game is just rediculous. Nerves are something that everybody get, some people learn to deal with them and use them to thier advantage, and nerves cause some people to choke.

The three things I suggest to overcome nerves are:
- play more. Really, the more you play, the more confident in your abilities you become the less chance you have of choking because of nerves. Play in weekly tournaments if you can, the pressure of a tournament is healthy
- read up on and learn some concentration techniques, this should have been mentioned first because with out focus you're doomed.
- Get to know your opponents, putting a personality behind an opponent takes the some of the fear out of playing them. Often people give thier opponents too much credit and mentally beat themselves before they even play.
- ok I know I said 3 but it's my post and I can list more if I want too :p As some of the others mentioned in previous posts, remember the reason you're there. When it all comes down to it it's just a game, games are for fun, if you're not having fun then you need to re-examine your motivation for playing pool.

addendum to my no drugs for pool rant: Sometimes I drink Red Bull prior to a match, I find that it increases not only my alertness, but my pre-game nerves as well, however, one of the ingredients gives you a sense of wellbeing that offsets this and seems to allow me to focus better. I wouldn't need this if I got more sleep and maybe took vitamine B or something.
 
The jury's still out on this one for me, but it seems to me (and this may just be my perception) that having a beer or two during a match seems to help me. I'm not talking constant imbibing - I'm a sipper. Just getting a bit in my system - nothing excessive - and maintaining that level seems to help settle me down, and I don't feel as nervous. *shrug*
 
When I'm a little nervous, I like to focus on the aiming point of my object ball. I make sure to go through my pre-shot routine, then settle in on that aiming point and think of nothing but that spot. I find that after 3 or 4 shots, I get my self into rhythm.

Also, I try to make sure I'm not taking too long of a back stroke. If you have the jitters and a long back stroke, you're definitely in touble.

PS. I don't use any alcohol (and never drugs) when I'm playing serious pool.
 
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