Is have the Shakes Normal ?

[grindz]

What you call "nervous as hell"..

Just replying to myself. Last night I played in the first tournament I've bothered to be a part of in well over 10 years. My nerves were absolutely shot. I wasn't shaky when I was stroking the cue, but everything inside me was nervous as hell. I lost in the first round, but still played well considering the circumstances. I'll keep going till I'm over it as I believe that forcing yourself into that situation is the best way to get over it.

The more normal you make that situation the less it becomes "foreign" or stressful which is what makes you nervous and gives you the shakes.

Not to get weird, but I bet you were nervous when you had "your first time". I also bet that you're not nervous anymore

sounds to me like getting amped up for the battle. It's what I used to like best about competing. All your senses are being heightened, and you're ready to hit an upper gear. That's totally different from having the "shakes" for me.... although that good energy can exacerbate the symptom of tremors.

They may appear, and for all intensive purposes "are" the same (shakes and tremors) externally. Personally I love the nervousness..... the tremors I wish I never had that sensation!!

Embrace the shake............... that's the motto I'm striving for!

td

 

[speakers]

sounds to me like getting amped up for the battle. It's what I used to like best about competing. All your senses are being heightened, and you're ready to hit an upper gear. That's totally different from having the "shakes" for me.... although that good energy can exacerbate the symptom of tremors.

They may appear, and for all intensive purposes "are" the same (shakes and tremors) externally. Personally I love the nervousness..... the tremors I wish I never had that sensation!!

Embrace the shake............... that's the motto I'm striving for!

td

You know that's a very good point that I never considered before, but it really makes sense for me. I'll start out the match or game fine, but then when I get to the last few balls I start getting the shakes, which sometimes affects my play and prevents me from getting out. The other night I had a nice run out, but I was shaking so bad by the time I got down to the last couple balls I had to really concentrate. And boy, after I win it's even worse. I hate having to rack after I've just won a game because I can barely keep my knees from knocking yet alone lift up the rack. I try to remember to take deep breaths because I know that's suppose to help. And I've always just thought it was nerves, so I've been trying to mentally coach myself not to be nervous, but maybe I should try to take a different approach so I can control my excitement and the adrenaline rush.

Thanks everybody for the good advice.

 

[swrooster]

Good Advice

Well I'll be honest I do think about beating my oppenents during a Match and I think that's my problem , I'm trying to be the best when I'm really just being nervous thinking about it the whole time , a good friend of mine told me the other night to play the table not my oppenent and that I'll get over the shakes .

Winning a game is the culmination of a progressive series of made shots and planned stratigies. The more you focus on the single task at hand, execute the desired action and observe the result the more calm you will feel because knowledge is power. I remember the first pro level tourney that I entered, by the pure random draw I played the first match on the main table. I was shaking so bad it looked like I was trying to play a snare drum on the table with my stick. The first two games I couldn't stroke because I was shaking so violently while trying to make a bridge I was knocking balls out of position, so I just walked up and poked the cue ball with my cue like i was using a poker in a fireplace. My two good friends that came and were playing also were dying right along with me. I called a time out, went to the bathroom to try and get some kind of composure when one of my buds came in, I told him to get me a piece of wood. When he asked why, I told him I was going to put it between my teeth so they might think I was having a seizure and not just acting like a school girl. We laughed, I calmed down and won that match. Don't worry about it, enjoy the game and the time with your teammates, you'll be fine. I still tremble with excitement when on the hill late in a tourney or a big match.

 

[chevybob20]

Read "Peasures of Small Motions" or "Inner Tennis" or both. I promise that it will help your game.

 

[Rob_jerrylee]

Update

Well just figured I'd give everyone an Update , I played Monday and didn't have the shakes at all , It was kinda funny I play this Lady and she was a 2 and I'm a 4 and of course I was like oh this is goin to be great well we played and I got up to the table and had a clear mind and didn't drink anything with sugar to make me jiddery .

So I just kept a level head and so When my Team was telling me good shot and that I was doing good I didn't answer them and I didn't want them to think I was ignoring them but i was focused and then my Captin came over and asked me what my problem was because I wasn't answering anyone .

I replied that I didn't have one and so he told me I was being to hard on myself and of course I was like WTF in my head and told him I was good and one of my teamates wife told him to "don't bother Rob cause he's in the zone " so everything you guys have said I keep in the back of my head so thank you .

 

[MOJOE]

Rob, I don't talk to anyone either when I am at the table. Don't respond to "good shot" etc.. I hear it but choose to stay focused. There is NOTHING wrong with that. My teammates have learned that this is not personal, I just like to stay focused and that works for me..

 

[2rgrbn]

It is good that the jitters have left keep in mind they come back and each time they do it is a good opportunity to improve on getting rid of them. Don't get to tied up on player ratings start now to work that thought process out of your thoughts it is distracting and takes from your confidence, if you match up with a 7 you will defeat yourself before ever get to the table, imagine if you look over and your opponent is Nick Varner. It looks like you have started in the right direction now just continue to eliminate the mental distractions and improve on the fundamentals and you will get there.