If I don't get help with this I just may...

W

warriorpoet62

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
...throw my self on my Pechauer and end it all.

Firstly, I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseum but I didn't find anything with the search.

Here's the thing, I practice a lot. The owner of my local pool room and I have become good friends. I have helped him paint the building and I run his in house leagues and other things and in return he gives me free pool. (He even gave me a key to the building so I can play 24\7.

While I'm practicing or playing with people I play like an immortal!! I frequently break and run 5 (no magic rack). And I beat the 9 ball ghost consistently in whatever the race is. BUT when I play in tournaments (I don't gamble) I GET SO NERVOUS I can't hit anything literally.

I can't breathe or control my hands or even focus on the object ball. Does anyone have any suggestions???

I've been told by better players that I just need to gamble more (not for much) but that will help because it will get me use to the pressure.

I've also been told to drink a beer or smoke a joint...which I'm not going to do ...not because it's wrong...I don't think it is...I would just rather be awake when I 'm awake and asleep when I'm asleep...

Please...It's to the point where I'm thinking about quitting!!!
 
warriorpoet62 said:
...throw my self on my Pechauer and end it all.

Firstly, I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseum but I didn't find anything with the search.

Here's the thing, I practice a lot. The owner of my local pool room and I have become good friends. I have helped him paint the building and I run his in house leagues and other things and in return he gives me free pool. (He even gave me a key to the building so I can play 24\7.

While I'm practicing or playing with people I play like an immortal!! I frequently break and run 5 (no magic rack). And I beat the 9 ball ghost consistently in whatever the race is. BUT when I play in tournaments (I don't gamble) I GET SO NERVOUS I can't hit anything literally.

I can't breathe or control my hands or even focus on the object ball. Does anyone have any suggestions???

I've been told by better players that I just need to gamble more (not for much) but that will help because it will get me use to the pressure.

I've also been told to drink a beer or smoke a joint...which I'm not going to do ...not because it's wrong...I don't think it is...I would just rather be awake when I 'm awake and asleep when I'm asleep...

Please...It's to the point where I'm thinking about quitting!!!
Click to expand...
I'm not a doctor. I'm a sufferer. I know posters are just trying to help, but what you've got is not just nerves or non-action toughness.

See a doctor. Get some tests.

Freddie
 
I once asked that same question to a person whom I knew to be very good tournament player. He told me that to do well I must become tournament seasoned.
Just keep doing what you're doing, and play in as many tournaments as you can. It'll come to you. :)
 
I have to agree with JC, Cornerman, and Tramp Steamer. Together, they have given you a well-rounded solution.

Pleasures of Small Motions is a wonderful book. Much, MUCH different than any other pool-related book you'll ever find. You will laugh as you learn. Bob Fancher nailed it with this one.

It's also possible that performance anxiety is part of the problem. It certainly wouldn't hurt to meet with a sports psychologist for a few sessions. There is no stigma attached. If this wasn't a common problem, there would be no such thing as a sports psychologist. Asking your regular doctor can also be surprisingly helpful, too.

And finally, as Tramp Steamer noted, experience WILL help. Play a few tournaments with no expectation of winning a match. Let it go before you even pay the entry fee and focus on having fun! Show off a little bit. Try some aggressive shots, and try some crazy safeties. You might be surprised at how well you do when you find a way to relieve the pressure. Eventually, you'll get in a tournament rhythm, and you won't think twice about simply playing YOUR game.

Combine all three, and you'll surely find your way.

Best of luck!!!

-Blake
 
I will agree with all of the above.

Something else you might try......and I don't mean this in a degrading way.....but, you might want to try to go to a tournament or 2 where you know that you'll be basically stealing. A bowling alley. A banger bar tournament. Some place where the level of competition is so far beneath you that you can free-wheel. Let 'em hang out, as they say, and see what your results are.

If you're playing in tourneys now where a lot of players are prone to run out after you make one mistake, it could really be getting to you.

If you go to a banger-bowling-alley-backwater-bar tourney, where you're prone to get 4-5 innings at the table pretty much every rack......you might start to loosen up.

Trust me, you're not the only one that's gone thru this. For the first year that I went to my current pool room haunt, I was in over my head. I HATE using the white cone chalk, but I was powdering up because I was soooooooooo nervous. I didn't know anyone, and quickly learned that 75% of the room could run out fairly regularly, if you made one single mistake. It was nerve-wracking.

Two years later, I'm still playing against the same players, but I'm more seasoned, a better player and I've accepted the fact that they can run out on me and I'm not so overwhelmed. I'd just never been around players like that before on a regular basis. I still get lil pre-match butterflies, but not so bad that I need the dreaded cone chalk. I keep a Seybert's towel hooked onto my pool case.....just in case, but rarely use it.

And one thing I learned early on at this room was......If you can't run out, play safe. To actually quote one of the players that took me under his wing a bit, "You can either start learning to play safe, or you can continue to lose."

So, if I feel like I'm out of stroke a bit, I'll take the easy shots to lubricate myself and play safe on anything that isn't a sure thing. Then when I start feeling my stroke kicking in and my arms loosening up, I'll start to play a bit more aggressively.

Let us know how you're progressing.
 
warriorpoet62 said:
...throw my self on my Pechauer and end it all.

Firstly, I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseum but I didn't find anything with the search.

Here's the thing, I practice a lot. The owner of my local pool room and I have become good friends. I have helped him paint the building and I run his in house leagues and other things and in return he gives me free pool. (He even gave me a key to the building so I can play 24\7.

While I'm practicing or playing with people I play like an immortal!! I frequently break and run 5 (no magic rack). And I beat the 9 ball ghost consistently in whatever the race is. BUT when I play in tournaments (I don't gamble) I GET SO NERVOUS I can't hit anything literally.

I can't breathe or control my hands or even focus on the object ball. Does anyone have any suggestions???

I've been told by better players that I just need to gamble more (not for much) but that will help because it will get me use to the pressure.

I've also been told to drink a beer or smoke a joint...which I'm not going to do ...not because it's wrong...I don't think it is...I would just rather be awake when I 'm awake and asleep when I'm asleep...

Please...It's to the point where I'm thinking about quitting!!!
Click to expand...

Making balls in the hole and running racks is not good enough for pool, you need to know the exact reason you miss a shot; until then you will continue to blame it on many things, and off course you try to correct for it during a match and wallah you are out of the tournament. You are like many who took pool for granted, it is not easy game, even though pros makes it look so easy; they worked hard for it to get where they are; they all are humans like you and me, some might have lower mental ability than normal people. I can assure you it is not mental issue, it is lack of all pool knowledge and confidence specifically the 4000 shots possibilities. One big example, elevation of your cue; i am sure at times you do not pay attention to it, do you know that almost every shot on table you will have slightly different elevation, and worse as you get near the rail.
Never play for fun!! it will not teach you anything, if you did not find anyone to gamble with, gamble from one side "you pay if you loose-cheap" crazy but pool requires seriousness if you want to be a killer at the table, and exercise your nerves.

Another advise, practice when you just woke up if you can, this will ensure high focus so you know what to concentrate on during practice, practice making balls with all shots possibilities for at least 2 hrs a day, not just racking and breaking, that is after.

Best of luck.
 
I used to be a great gambler, but was horrible in tournaments. I played more tournaments until I got good at it. The waiting for my game was the hard part, watching games last a decade. If you have a great pattern selection, anything is easy. Just lock yourself in the table, don't look at anybody, and tell yourself, this is what I do. Play pool.
 
I was a better money player for, literally, years. After moving to SC and playing in tournaments twice a week I got better at it. Play all the tournaments you can, the experience will help. Read PoSM but be warned, it's not for everyone. I've read it four or five times and don't understand the appeal. My wife says it' a right/left brain thing. Good luck!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
truefan said:
Any chance you could send me that joint you decided not to smoke? :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Good one! Even though you mean "Joint" in your post, but you did hit on a very critical subject in pool "chance" luck in pool is crucial without it, you cannot "join a joint" :angry: of winning crowd.
 
The long term fix is too complex to post on this forum and pertains to your psychological conditoning and your level of confidence but I can give you a short-term remedy until you gain the composure you need.

Your aprehension is triggering insulin production and this contributes to the nervousness. If you can find a way to physically exert your body 5-10 minutes prior to competition it can reduce the effects of the insulin. Step outside for a minute and do 50 push-ups or run around the building a couple of times to stress the system.

Think of it as shocking the system to off set the insulin production. This may not help all players since the mind is a very powerful influence but it will assist those players who can't get their body to settle down before competition.
 
Fight or Flight

The nerves are part of the fight or flight. You need to turn it from flight to fight. Stay aggressive in your attitude and stance and attack each shot. Keep your weight slightly forward. Keep your mind focused on the thrill of the battle rather than the embarrassment of failure.

This is a good time to seek out an instructor or coach. Make sure your fundamentals/foundation are sound. Have a repeatable routine that you fall back on and can do "by the numbers",when you are nervous.

Learn to shoot with your hands shaking. When I first experienced this, I kept thinking "as soon as my hands quit shaking I'll be fine." Then I realized my hands would not stop shaking until I started making balls.
:thumbup:
 
Ever notice that some players seem to be having fun, while others are tense. We have several good players in the Tulsa area, John Gabriel is one of the players that seems to be as calm as anyone I've ever watched & he's a tough customer.

I'm a tense one too & I'm glad you posted this. I'm going to start playing with some laughter & humor, maybe the enjoyment will surface once again & allow me to gain that air of confidence I once possessed.

Playing with confidence allowed me to ZONE OUT & be relaxed.

Good Luck to you....
 
Get Reids "No Time For Negatives"

Get Jimmy Reids No Time For Negatives NOW!
This will cure you forever
http://freepoollessons.com/site/instructional-dvds/



warriorpoet62 said:
...throw my self on my Pechauer and end it all.

Firstly, I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseum but I didn't find anything with the search.

Here's the thing, I practice a lot. The owner of my local pool room and I have become good friends. I have helped him paint the building and I run his in house leagues and other things and in return he gives me free pool. (He even gave me a key to the building so I can play 24\7.

While I'm practicing or playing with people I play like an immortal!! I frequently break and run 5 (no magic rack). And I beat the 9 ball ghost consistently in whatever the race is. BUT when I play in tournaments (I don't gamble) I GET SO NERVOUS I can't hit anything literally.

I can't breathe or control my hands or even focus on the object ball. Does anyone have any suggestions???

I've been told by better players that I just need to gamble more (not for much) but that will help because it will get me use to the pressure.

I've also been told to drink a beer or smoke a joint...which I'm not going to do ...not because it's wrong...I don't think it is...I would just rather be awake when I 'm awake and asleep when I'm asleep...

Please...It's to the point where I'm thinking about quitting!!!
Click to expand...
 
I can't breathe or control my hands or even focus on the object ball. Does anyone have any suggestions???

I've been told by better players that I just need to gamble more (not for much) but that will help because it will get me use to the pressure.

I've also been told to drink a beer or smoke a joint...which I'm not going to do ...not because it's wrong...I don't think it is...I would just rather be awake when I 'm awake and asleep when I'm asleep...

Please...It's to the point where I'm thinking about quitting!!![/QUOTE]



Whoever told you that you need to gamble for a few dollars IMO is correct. I started gambling at the game from the beginning. I was also young and stupid and didnt know my limits. The drinking to cure the problem is bad. When you drink or do drugs it makes you inconsistent and harder to control your mouth and game. This is a subject I know plenty about. You can't drink a couple beers before every match and tournaments last for hours, it's just more to have to control. Some of the best advise I ever got was "just because your nervous doesn't mean you've got to miss" . When your at the tournament try to practice the nervousness out and never look for the finish line, make yourself think you need more games than you do. Almost every player has dealt with this at one time or another. Saying your nervous out loud also helps, don't try to hide it. Say it out loud and laugh about it. Everyone gets nervous
 
warriorpoet62 said:
...throw my self on my Pechauer and end it all.

Firstly, I'm sure this has been discussed ad nauseum but I didn't find anything with the search.

Here's the thing, I practice a lot. The owner of my local pool room and I have become good friends. I have helped him paint the building and I run his in house leagues and other things and in return he gives me free pool. (He even gave me a key to the building so I can play 24\7.

While I'm practicing or playing with people I play like an immortal!! I frequently break and run 5 (no magic rack). And I beat the 9 ball ghost consistently in whatever the race is. BUT when I play in tournaments (I don't gamble) I GET SO NERVOUS I can't hit anything literally.

I can't breathe or control my hands or even focus on the object ball. Does anyone have any suggestions???

I've been told by better players that I just need to gamble more (not for much) but that will help because it will get me use to the pressure.

I've also been told to drink a beer or smoke a joint...which I'm not going to do ...not because it's wrong...I don't think it is...I would just rather be awake when I 'm awake and asleep when I'm asleep...

Please...It's to the point where I'm thinking about quitting!!!
Click to expand...

Here ya go. :thumbup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=M5CkmKGQDb0&t=125
 
Lets get perspective

Questions & Answers like this are why forums are so valuable. AZ is great for this stuff!! :thumbup:

Let's get perspective:

You play well,but can't play well under pressure.- Okay your arm didn't fall off so its in your head.

You don't smoke or drink - Great you have the ability to be consistent

You don't gamble, or play tournaments. - Ok, how are you going to get good at ANYTHING (Insert hobby,pleasure, trade,profession,here) if you don't practice that as well ?? In this light, gambling (small) will help.Matching-up locks you into the situation.Its fight or flight then. Once you get tired of flight(losing), you'll start to fight(trying hard not to lose).You might still lose, but your opponent,(or bad luck!-hate them rolls!) :( is going to beat you.
In tournament play its like showtime. The only person you need to impress is YOU. Your opponent doesn't matter; they are there to take up the time on the table that is there when you miss. In this light: The most judgmental person of my game is ME. (I'm Brutal on myself.)

You need to find whatever it is that makes you FOCUS, and gives you the DRIVE, to win in a gambling or tournament situation. (PM me,i'll let ya in on 1 of mine)

Stop worrying about what others think and RELAX! :)

I'm sure reading the books others recommended will help.

P.S.
I still do it at times myself ! I get nervous at times,... itsa natural thing. My being nervous is not about winning or losing, but about whether I will perform to the level of play I know I have achieved.
 
fathomblue said:
And one thing I learned early on at this room was......If you can't run out, play safe. To actually quote one of the players that took me under his wing a bit, "You can either start learning to play safe, or you can continue to lose."
Click to expand...

After I beat SVB in the SD State tournament in 1991 (might be off by a year), I overheard a very good player advising him that if he doesn't have a shot, play safe. Shane was 6, and a threat to run out if given an open table.
 
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