I dont think you are ever going to not be nervous or dog it. I think that one has just to accept it and go on from there. I noticed in some public speech classes that people would make mistakes but would then compound it by trying to either ignore it or let it really mess them up and apologizing profusely for it. The succesful ones made mistakes but just simply recognized it and laughed and went on. You wouldnt even notice that they did make mistakes because they essentially fulfilled their mission. I think if you accept yourself that you are human and that you are nervous and going to make errors, that is half the battle. In other words just have fun while taking your game seriously, if that makes sense. Also repetition and experience is always a key factor. Keep playing and keep entering competition soon strategy will become more of a priority than nerves.
I suffer from the same ailment. The other day I was around some new people, experienced, but new to me. I found myself banging the balls and it took me a long time before I started to settle down. The 1st time I meet someone in competetion I find myself giving them more respect than they actually deserve. I have started to silently tell myself to SLOW everything down, I start taking more deliberate time with every phase from pre shot routine to all the way through the follow through. All of a sudden I am not aware of my opponent, spectators, nothing except the table. When we rush it is in itself not an excuse for missing but it does mean that we have not given ourselves the proper chance to succeed. Slow and deliberate through all phases. It's working for me.
I used to have the same problem when I started playing in the leagues. I was discussing it with a friend who doesn't play pool at all and didn't really understand why there was pressure or nerves involved. He said to me, " What's the worst that can happen? You win, you lose. Either way, you get up the next day, go to work and life goes on." For alot of players (me included), it's hard to take that attitude because we all want to win (especially in a team event). But I decided to try it and amazingly it worked. I still want to win as bad as anyone, I just don't let it take over my nerves and my game. I now find that I'm more nervous watching my teammates than I am when I'm at the table.
One other thing that I'm sure you've heard a million times already. Don't concentrate on "what if i miss?". Focus your energy on where the cueball will be sitting for your next shot when you make the ball you're on.
Remember, be positive and have fun. That's what the leagues are supposed to be about.
One other thing that I'm sure you've heard a million times already. Don't concentrate on "what if i miss?". Focus your energy on where the cueball will be sitting for your next shot when you make the ball you're on.
Remember, be positive and have fun. That's what the leagues are supposed to be about.
Seems like there is an abundance of advice here but, I may as well add my 2 cents. Noone else has mentioned this and i feel it has helped me tremendously. When I practice i put an enormous amount of pressure on me, after all i am playing the future greatest player on the planet, me. Thinking that i am playing 'greatest player on the planet', puts alot of pressure on myself to win. I don't actually believe that I am or ever will be the best player, but i try and get my mind in that mental state. Every shot means the world to me, in practice. I feel i should break and run every table, and I put 100% effort into doing that, even when playing by myself. When i go to a tournament i try and get into a mindset that tells me that every other player there is inferior. If you were to talk to me, you wouldnt see that, i still let players think that i fear them and show 100% respect, but in my head i try to be the most confident cocky person i can. Every time the other player misses a shot, or misses shape, i laugh inside my head and think how unworthy he is to be playing with me. When i miss a shot or shape myself, i forget about it instantly. By the time i get back to my chair I've forgotten why im sitting down again and laugh at his next miss (internally laugh). So my final words of wisdom are, PUT WAY MORE PRESSURE ON YOURSELF TO PERFORM WHEN YOU PRACTICE, AND CONVINCE YOURSELF THAT THE MORON AT THE TABLE DOESNT DESERVE TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM WITH YOU. Don't change anything on the outside though.
PS: I forgot one last thing, stay silent through your whole match. If someone is gonna talk to you, move. Go sit by yourself and don't open your mouth. The last thing you need to do is worry about the conversation you are having. If someone has advice to help you, tell them to save it for after your match.
PS: I forgot one last thing, stay silent through your whole match. If someone is gonna talk to you, move. Go sit by yourself and don't open your mouth. The last thing you need to do is worry about the conversation you are having. If someone has advice to help you, tell them to save it for after your match.
fxskater said:
Very good advice. Keeping silent is a must for majority of people to remain concetrated on the match. I usually don't concetrate exactly on keeping myself silent but pressing my lips gently together. This makes me silent but in addition forces me to breathe through my nose and that helps keeping my heart from racing, it's kind of a breathing technique...
Right now I'm in process of reading a couple of books about coaching in sports and sport psychology. Very good stuff about how to relax and how to think about your game before, during and after the match and how to put things into right perspective. The author(s) have coached many Finnish olympic medalists so they know what they're talking about. Well... to be exact, there aren't so many Finnish olympic medalist in the last few decades
Btw, many people mentioned a difference in their games when playing against/with different people. They should read a Bob Fancher article about poolplayer's status (inside his head) and how it effects ones game. I think Mr. Fancher used to write to Billiards Digest and also was the author of Pleasures of Small Motions. Although, Fancher doesn't have experience in pool and billiards, he has is a doctor of psychology and I think he's qualified to make comments on the issue. Many good ideas and fresh viewpoints in his book.
Going to Finnish National 8-ball Championships this weekend with many top players including a few top 20 ranked Eurotour players. A tough field of nearly 100 players but let's see if I can apply my new knowledge in psychology there and survive a little bit further than my 9th place for the umphteenth time...