Intimidation, Pressure, And a combination

L

lastdimetaker

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Some players intimidate me, I'm not sure why Maybe my own insecurities about my game. But I am constantly aware That they are there And I'm trying not to think about them.
I feel the pressure to perform, I can feel it building up during a game Or match. I believe it comes from my own expectations of my own performance. I also feel as if the pressure comes From my opponent. .
I think I fear my opponent, which leads to intimidation.
I think I doubt myself, which creates pressure.

The combination of intimidation and pressure, is absolutely overwhelming.
I tried to ignore it, confront the problem, I tried to focus on other things like the shot.

This is my biggest weakness, What's your opinion. Am I looking at it wrong? How should I be dealing with it?

I also play great when my opponent is intimidated , and I feel like I am this superior player. I got no problem with that situation.. lol
 
Try to think the truth...that if you wish to win the tournament, any and every player you face is the same...somebody you need to beat in order to move on. No more, no less.

Intimidation, either way, is just a state of mind. Pool is a game. Nobody is risking life or limb by playing.
 
The pressure of playing against someone that you are "supposed to lose to" is hard to shake, even if you are fully capable of beating them. Back when I played high school tennis, I continued to lose to my dad when I was beating players that would have easily beat him just because I was used to losing to him ever since I started playing. The same goes for some pool players I've know for several years. It's not until I convince myself that my improvement since the first time I played them has outpaced theirs that I can play my current game instead of my game of years ago. Once you beat that player once, or even put up the fight that you're supposed to, the intimidation factor will fade away.
 
If focusing on the shot is not working for u..... Try thinking about the person intimidating u. That's something I do a lot. I play guys that are A-Level shortstops that will just run out on u if u miss and sell out even slightly. It does help me.

Lesh
 
I've found the heaviest pressure in the game, for me, is in team play. When I'm playing leagues and trying to win matches for my team I tend to feel my heart racing faster than when I'm playing for myself. Have you noticed any difference in tournament or league play for yourself, versus when you're playing for points to contribute to your team?
 
Lesh said:
If focusing on the shot is not working for u..... Try thinking about the person intimidating u. That's something I do a lot. I play guys that are A-Level shortstops that will just run out on u if u miss and sell out even slightly. It does help me.

Lesh
Click to expand...

I I'm always trying to not think about my opponent. You may be on to something. What is it that you think about When you think about your opponent.
 
This is the part that I actually enjoy when playing. Not long ago I played against a couple real good players (Cliff Joyner) (Lost 4-7) and (Jesse Engles) (Lost 4-7). I felt the pressure against both players not just because they were good, but because I was thinking in the back of my mind that I really couldn't make a mistake. So normally when I was playing loose and relaxed I was tense and tight. As the matches went on I got into a rhythm and started to play a lot better. Playing tournaments or even with positions on the line in league play makes me better in the long run. The more we do it the more we tend to handle the pressure better. Good luck in your pursuit of excellence in pool.
 
RioSevario said:
This is the part that I actually enjoy when playing. Not long ago I played against a couple real good players (Cliff Joyner) (Lost 4-7) and (Jesse Engles) (Lost 4-7). I felt the pressure against both players not just because they were good, but because I was thinking in the back of my mind that I really couldn't make a mistake. So normally when I was playing loose and relaxed I was tense and tight. As the matches went on I got into a rhythm and started to play a lot better. Playing tournaments or even with positions on the line in league play makes me better in the long run. The more we do it the more we tend to handle the pressure better. Good luck in your pursuit of excellence in pool.
Click to expand...

That my friend may be the answer I'm not under the gun very much at all. I'm lucky to be in a high pressure situation Once a month. I spent a lot of time practicing, most of my match play consist of guys I destroy. No offense to them. I hardly really play tournaments . Most of the ones I play in I'm a high favorite. I am definitely going to think about Putting myself in the higher pressure situations More often. Experience is the best teacher right. .
 
Don't think about the Elephant

In another life I use to fight and train fighters and this was a common question. The fact is competition is where we live and you have to make your self at home in the competition. Ignoring the fear is like trying not to think about a pink elephant, it just ain't gonna happen.

So the question becomes:
How do we make our selves at home?
Experience is a big part of it, but experience wont get you all the way there.

In the deep dark secret part of your mind you are a pretty good judge of your skills. What I mean is if you feel like you are gonna miss a key shot chances are you are right that feeling ( fear, pressure,) comes from your memory of past events. You probably aren't able to make that shot well enough to be comfortable.

Playing pool without a good consistent pre-shot routine is like trying to win at roulette you might make it but the odds are not in your favor.

Also one of my favorite azer's pro player Fran Crimi cracks me up when she responds to people who are having trouble with a shot by asking them if they have tried practicing it.
The thing is she is 100% right. I used to hate long cut shots far from the pocket in the center of the table. Until I spent serious time practicing them. Now I love opportunity to fire them in and get shape. My opponents get that nervous look and I am one step closer to my goal.

But practice isn't everything Randy G says practice makes permanent not perfect.
So your have to learn what to practice. For this I have one word Lessons....

On az we have an amazing resource:
Qualified instructors
Randy Goettlicher
Scott Lee
Lee Brett
And many more, post frequently and offer affordable lessons all over the country. In my opinion there is no substitute for a qualified instructor. I wish it started taking lessons fifteen years ago it would have saved me years of suffering.

Good luck
 
Once you know the feeling of being that guy who puts out an 'aura' that strikes fear
in your opponent, it's hard not to be aware of it in others.

The good news is, you kind of learn how to project it and put a little extra scare into people.
It's very satisfying when you can see it work.
And you also learn how to spot it when someone else is doing little subtle moves to try to rattle you.

Think of it as an "aura contest". Your goal is to come across to the other guy
as the most unflappable, fearless, calm, ice-in-the-veins player ever.
He's trying to do the same to you.

It's not entirely unrealistic to say that whoever wins the aura contest,
will also win the pool contest. It's that important.

Even when he's winning, you act like this is routine and you're on the verge
of coasting to victory. If you dog your brains out, he should leave convinced that
even if you're not a better player than him, someday you will be.
Because you have that focus and weren't scared of him at all.

Of course, some people just handle it the opposite way and socialize and laugh
with the other guy and the people around them. Some players can't stand a bubbly,
chirpy opponent, or one who is talking to them (even when they're not shooting).
 
Its funny i try to focus on my preshot routine and my mechanics when I am distracted by pressure and feel intimidated. But This distract me from actually playing. I like the part about needing to get comfortable. Because I get very uncomfortable. Also liked the comment about a contest Between the two players off the table. I don't think I've ever Tried To reverse the effect. That's very interesting. I'm getting a lot of feedback on this post And I appreciate it. I know I don't wanna play the victim anymore. .. thks
 
Embrace that nervous energy -- don't try to eliminate it. That's what I have finally figured out. This is what living is all about. What do you want to do? Do you want to experience the greatest victory of your career and have it feel like you are all alone practicing? Or do you want to dig deep while you are shaking like a leaf and figure out a way to get the job done anyway?

The second one is so much more rewarding really. Being able to play when you AREN'T comfortable is a great thrill.

My team just won the Michigan Master's Tourney this last weekend and like you I'm a nervous wreck half the time. I just wrote about that in another post a couple days ago:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=4707886&postcount=1119

BasementDweller said:
It does get easier to manage your nerves if you just face them head on. So many players go down the road of drinking, smoking (and not just cigs ;)) or doing other things to combat the nerves. Eventually it just becomes a part of the game for them. I've always been the most impressed by the guys (and gals) that play completely sober. For someone that is relatively unseasoned when it comes to tournament and specifically team pool -- it has been a MAJOR challenge overcoming my nerves without some form of assistance. But I'm getting there. In this most recent tournament, I can only recall missing one makeable ball. I'm fairly certain there had to be a couple more that I just can't remember but it certainly wasn't more than 2 or 3. Of course, I screwed up several outs, which I'm going to do but knowing that I can get down over the ball while I'm very uncomfortable and still pocket it is pretty liberating. Now it just becomes all about controlling whitey.

At a previous tournament earlier this year, one of my teammates mentioned he wished I had a shock collar on that he could zap when he noticed I wasn't seeing the whole table. We had a good laugh about that, mainly because it was true. That's one big thing that happens when people get nervous -- they stop seeing the whole table; they get tunnel vision. I think I'm close to being past that now. But I certainly don't want to be totally free from feeling that nervous energy. That excited feeling you get when that adrenaline is flowing but yet you still manage to play your game -- whatever speed you may play at -- that's what it's all about. Embrace it. That’s really when you know you are alive. Don’t be fooled by the players that appear to be mindless robots while they runout that final rack of some major tournament. They are certainly feeling that nervous energy bubbling up inside them – but they love it! It’s a high like nothing else in life really.
Click to expand...
 
Play like you have nothing to lose! Make every good shot a personal victory, and bad shots a lesson.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ill start with a pparaphrase from The Hustler. The character, Burt Gordon, told Fast Eddiethat he was a born loser. He said this because born losers are always looking for an excuse to lose.

Now I'm not calling you a born loser. But your mind is manufacturing an excuse to lose because you opponent is a known good player. Here's how you MUST look at the game. It is you against the table. It matters not who the opponent is. Your mind is trying to think of the final goal....to win the match.
The final goal is not important. The next shot is the goal. The shot you are taking at the moment should be your entire universe. Not "what will happen if I miss this shot". If the shot is harder then the safe, play the safe. If the safe is harder then the shot, or there is no safe....GO FOR IT!

You see, it really is the table itself you are playing against....you are just sharing it with another human. The table is your enemy!
 
As for the pressure.. different people respond to it in their own ways. I tend to play better when I'm intimidated by the other player's skills. I get hyper-focused and start playing real smart like.

buckshotshoey said:
But your mind is manufacturing an excuse to lose because you opponent is a known good player.
Click to expand...

That, for the most part. If you go into it with the idea that you're going to lose.. you're probably going to lose. Go into it thinking that you're going to fight like a @%^& if you get the chance. Otherwise, you're going to have one hell of a nice give-up stroke.
 
it takes confidence that you have an advantage to consistently win

The solution to the condition you describe is confidence.....REAL CONFIDENCE, that is built by understanding the game at a level that gives you an advantage....a REAL ADVANTAGE.

There's no "magic bullet," it does take practice and if you want some help I'll send you a my 'Ultimate Pool Secrets" for FREE.....it's 3 videos that I made after winning the ESPN World Championships and finishing 'Runner Up' the next two years....I credited my fundamentals for this 3 year consistent finish.

PM me your address and I'll get one in the mail to you right away....I also share some of my "mental secrets" on how to compete with the very best....again, it takes confidence that you have an advantage to consistently win......this REALLY works.

Play Well, Your Game will soon be Your Teacher


lastdimetaker said:
Some players intimidate me, I'm not sure why Maybe my own insecurities about my game. But I am constantly aware That they are there And I'm trying not to think about them.
I feel the pressure to perform, I can feel it building up during a game Or match. I believe it comes from my own expectations of my own performance. I also feel as if the pressure comes From my opponent. .
I think I fear my opponent, which leads to intimidation.
I think I doubt myself, which creates pressure.

The combination of intimidation and pressure, is absolutely overwhelming.
I tried to ignore it, confront the problem, I tried to focus on other things like the shot.

This is my biggest weakness, What's your opinion. Am I looking at it wrong? How should I be dealing with it?

I also play great when my opponent is intimidated , and I feel like I am this superior player. I got no problem with that situation.. lol
Click to expand...
 
I've been on both ends of the spectrum. What i've learned is, look at the reality of the situation.

Forge your skills in the fire. We are not playing for life and death. So its in your best interest to head hunt and go after that which you fear. What's the worst that can happen? You lose, so what? But the more you put yourself in that situation the more you will learn about yourself and how to overcome it.

I made this conscious decision and now i welcome the challenge. If you practice and play with all your heart and effort, then you should welcome the thought of someone giving you a "beautiful death" bc that means they share a common bond with you.
 
In my younger years I folded on pressure. After I beat a couple of big dogs. I told myself I can beat them so why get nervous. I tell myself I'm going to make them pay for their mistakes, not getting nervous and thinking if I miss I will pay for it.
 
CJ Wiley said:
The solution to the condition you describe is confidence.....REAL CONFIDENCE, that is built by understanding the game at a level that gives you an advantage....a REAL ADVANTAGE.

There's no "magic bullet," it does take practice and if you want some help I'll send you a my 'Ultimate Pool Secrets" for FREE.....it's 3 videos that I made after winning the ESPN World Championships and finishing 'Runner Up' the next two years....I credited my fundamentals for this 3 year consistent finish.

PM me your address and I'll get one in the mail to you right away....I also share some of my "mental secrets" on how to compete with the very best....again, it takes confidence that you have an advantage to consistently win......this REALLY works.

Play Well, Your Game will soon be Your Teacher
Click to expand...

Thanks thats pretty generous, i actually have your DVDs. .. your definitely right confidence is the opposite of doubt. I am trying to get as much knowledge as i can from every resource i can. I will review the videos this week. . You know reading post i am starting to think that i may also associate the feelings of intimidation and pressure as part of losing. Maybe I am trying to use it as an excuse. Maybe the guy is just better than me. Not sure exactly how to put it. When I lose I feel ashamed I wanna believe there was something I could do. With these guys are so freaking good. Lol. Im definitely thinking about the subject differently. Thks
 
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