Inconsistency and Nerves.

T

tonythetiger583

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
A lot of things are starting to really click for me finally.

-A consistent way of aiming
-Addressing the ball the same way
-Having a loose repeatable grip.
-Having a speed control baseline.
-When My stroke feels off, I've noticed it's because I'm chicken-winging my bridge arm, causing my body to be too square on with the shot.


I just want to know, how much about pool is about "feeling" in stroke. I'm new to pool and I get nervous, and I choke in league, but play awesome afterwards when it doesn't matter.

I just want to know, if focusing on the things I mentioned above, and being able to do them the same every time, is enough?

So even if my heart's pounding, can I still play well, if these components are in order?

I think it would help me a lot mentally to know that no matter how nervous I feel, If I do these things properly, I have a good chance.



Also, aside from the nerves, if I work on having the same approach every time, will I still have off nights?, and if yes, why? And what can I do about it.
 
control breathing, do not let it or temper get loose. when it's time to sit and watch let go of cue, set it aside. totally relax, do not worry about what your competitor is doing, concentrate on applying knowledge to next time up to table. do not let one muscle get tense. drink 8 ounces water prior to match and a snack. be comfortable. if yu lose so what? yu at least competed. do not play in matches over your head. develop a form of practice routine and a pre shot routine and do not vary from it. tap your cue on floor if competitor hits an exceptional shot. be a gentleman. be happy that yu are competing and testing yourself. Your days will come. Always be gracious in defeat.
 
tonythetiger583 said:
A lot of things are starting to really click for me finally.

-A consistent way of aiming
-Addressing the ball the same way
-Having a loose repeatable grip.
-Having a speed control baseline.
-When My stroke feels off, I've noticed it's because I'm chicken-winging my bridge arm, causing my body to be too square on with the shot.

I just want to know, how much about pool is about "feeling" in stroke. I'm new to pool and I get nervous, and I choke in league, but play awesome afterwards when it doesn't matter.
I just want to know, if focusing on the things I mentioned above, and being able to do them the same every time, is enough?

So even if my heart's pounding, can I still play well, if these components are in order?

I think it would help me a lot mentally to know that no matter how nervous I feel, If I do these things properly, I have a good chance.

Also, aside from the nerves, if I work on having the same approach every time, will I still have off nights?, and if yes, why? And what can I do about it.
Click to expand...


I believe, from my very low on the totem pole vantage point, that while setting up in a consistent manner is essential, there are a myriad of ways to set up in a consistent manner. IOW, just being consistent is not enough. You have to set up right, consistently

When you have arrive at the right, consistent manner, three things will happen:

1. The OB will go where you want it to;
2. The CB will behave as you expect it to; and
3. (and I think this is the toughest) you will see the entire shot play out in your mind's eye, before you pull the trigger. IOW, when you're down on the shot, if you're set up properly, you will see the ball going onto the pocket and the CB taking the path you want for position on the next ball.

Maybe that's the feeling part you're asking about.

Lou Figueroa
 
Tony,

Please forgive for saying this but you're starting to sound like a reverse psychology advertising agency for a group of instructors.

Best,
Rick
 
Hard to answer without understanding your playing level. The more confidence you have in your game, the less that will be a factor. Do you feel you can move the CB anywhere you want with any english?

Do you have a table at home? Lots of practice helps, but ... lots of practicing wrong won't help.

Can you play with someone top level in your league or maybe gamble small small stakes with the better players in the room. You will get an opportunity to watch them play also.
 
The "feeling" of your stroke is central to your game. It will naturally fluctuate over the course of time, but keep working on it! Anything to make your stroke more consistent will help your game.
 
A tip for "choking" from some great gamblers.

I heard Danny Jones and Billy Johnson both say this.
"What is the one thing players do when shooting at the money ball that they do not do on any of the other shots?"
Their answer..........."Pool players do not play position for another ball (seeing as how there are no more left to make)...this is a major reason for the choke"!
So for the entire rack we been playing shape for the upcoming shots and now on this last crucial ball we change the routine by not playing any more shape. This can be deadly when pressure is added to this 'change in routine'.
They both said..........."play some position on an imaginary ball after playing the money ball. Nothing complex or crazy...just imagine another ball out there and play some simple shape for it", instead of thinking stuff like..."all I gotta do is cinch this ball and I win"
The "dogging it" percentage will go down...try it and see for yourself.
:wink:
 
I just stated an apa league. Its with a crew that i had just met when the league started the second week of january. I was so nervous. I was putting all this weight on my shoulders because i didnt want to let them down. What did i do? I let them down because i let my nerves get the best of me. i LOST. Ive been in the bars for years. Bettin cash here betting there. Not huge games but enough to get that rush ive always needed/wanted. When im in the bar and its just me and my competitor its nbd because if i lose its on me. I have alot of confidence in my self that i can play a solid game of pool. I can run a table and i can blow an easy shot. Being in a league if i lose yes its on me but im also letting other people down. I wasnt ready for that. Ever since that first match i have gone winning 6 games in a row. Hence 6-1. 3-1 8 ball 3-0 9 ball. I know i can shoot. I know i can play. I had to realize its me and the table. Not me, the opponent, my team, their team, etc... Just remember who you are and how you play. Nobody is perfect and i guarantee you i will lose another game. Its part of pool. Even the best mess up. Yes i have a goal in pool that im not at yet. Im sure we all do. Whether i win or lose that next game im gonna make sure i learn from it. Im gonna play my best and if i get out shot it just means i havent prepared enough. Back to the drawing board. No excuses. No sweating. No jitter bugs. PLAY YOUR GAME AND BE CONFIDENT. ONLY YOU KNOW YOUR WEAKNESS' SO WORK ON THEM.

Thanks
Mike
 
You wanna know nerves??

I played Efren TWICE at DCC in bank and 9ball in 4th round. My hands were so sweaty and my mind was so clogged I couldn't do anything. To be perfectly honest, I tripped at least twice coming to the table, dropped my cue several times, and nearly stabbed the light a time or two over the table.

The way he moved the CB was truly like magic. The more he made it dance around the table the more inadequate I felt and my confidence completely wained.

It was bittersweet!! I guess experience and seasoning is what I need most...


Gary
 
Ky Boy said:
You wanna know nerves??

I played Efren TWICE at DCC in bank and 9ball in 4th round. My hands were so sweaty and my mind was so clogged I couldn't do anything. To be perfectly honest, I tripped at least twice coming to the table, dropped my cue several times, and nearly stabbed the light a time or two over the table.

The way he moved the CB was truly like magic. The more he made it dance around the table the more inadequate I felt and my confidence completely wained.

It was bittersweet!! I guess experience and seasoning is what I need most...


Gary
Click to expand...

I know in my early years of racing I never let stuff like this bother me. When you go up against someone of Efrens caliber you are expected to lose, you are the one who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Imagine the confidence boost that would have given you had you won!!!
 
This is the bane of many pool players, even those that have been playing their entire lives. The game is a "learned" entity. Once you have solid fundamentals, consistent pre-shot routine and have played enough to develop muscle memory and keep it honed through regular play & practice you have then reached the point all players reach, mastering the mental side of the game.

This area is generally what separates average players that plateau and never get any better and those that break through & become great players. So how to you do it?

I think it comes down to realizing it's about perception. I read threads here in this forum all of the time about coping with "nerves" or "pressure" or how they breeze through racks until the last ball or two and then the wheels fall off. You have to understand that all shots are the same, whether it be in practice, gambling or tournament play, whether it is the first ball you shoot in a practice session or the final ball in a hill hill match, it's just a shot. Any "nerves", "fear" or "pressure" you feel is self applied. These things are not real tangible entities, the only place they exist is the same place they're created, in your mind. If you set up a shot in practice & drill it 50 times in a row how is it any different than being faced with that SAME SHOT to win the set in a hill hill match? It's not any different, it's the same shot. So recognizing that you have to ask yourself what causes you to feel "nervous" or "fearful" or "pressure" & drive that ball straight into the rail dogging it instead of drilling it into the hole like you did 50 times in a row in practice? Your perception of it. You've attached more importance in your mind to the shot to win the cash than you did to this same shot during practice.

You have to understand that fear & nerves & pressure are self created by YOU in your MIND. That that is the only place they exist & that creating and feeling these emotions is a choice and that you can choose to NOT create them or feel them, THEY ARE NOT REAL!!!! When I talk to people about this the common refrain is "that's easier said than done". My response is always the same, "why".

Things to do to overcome it are as follows:
Meditate, it teaches you to not only breath correctly but to focus on your breathing which can help you control adrenaline, cortisol levels & most of all your conscious mind by giving it something to do. The conscious mind has very little use in playing this game & is the enemy. If you hear that little voice babbling in your head while playing you're not going to reach your full potential, you need to shut that little monkey up.

Visualization, seeing what you want to do in your minds eye from pocketing the ball to the resulting position on the next ball. You have to really see it in your mind, don't get down on the ball until you do. Once you have seen it, then drop on the ball & execute. It really is that simple.

The difference between 2 players of equal skill sets where one has ice water in his veins in competition & one is a hot mess is the ability to control your mind. You either control it or it WILL control you. Free your mind and your ass will follow.
 
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