There’s some interesting replies here, if for nothing than to see how different people perceive things. We’re human, and the adrenaline/nerves you feel are a natural physiological response in situations that are of importance to you. Your bodies way of getting you prepared for whatever that is.
The key to dealing with it is perception. In the case of this game, I’ve read posts here that speak of “pressure”. I don’t really believe in pressure, or the assertion that others, or a situation, can “apply pressure you”. Pressure only exists where it is created, nurtured and fed, in your own mind. Your opponent, or certain situations, can’t “apply it to you”. It is you who creates it, by your perception of your opponent or a particular situation.
If you put in the time, the work, play and compete regularly, then you have done what is required to have the skills to play this game. In your practice, you learn your strengths, your weaknesses. If there is a shot that you consistently make in practice 9, or 10 out of 10 tries and you do it with no thought at all, then it is, or it should be the same in competition.
So when competing, when faced with this shot, to say, win a tournament, or to close out a set in a gambling matchup, why do some feel what is referred to as “pressure”?
The shot is exactly the same as it is in practice, where you feel no pressure. So why do you feel “pressure/nerves” in those pinnacle moments in competition? It’s that you are placing an importance on this shot in those situations that is not present in your practice sessions. The shot is the same, it’s your perception that is different. That change in perception, by placing that importance on it, is what causes you to “create” or give birth to “pressure, those nerves you feel”.
The best way to overcome this is mindfulness, being present in the moment and focusing on the process, instead of the outcome. Breathing helps with this tremendously, as does a solid PSR, the ritual of a PSR is something that can be relied upon in those moments to keep your mind focused on the process instead of the outcome.
The key to dealing with it is perception. In the case of this game, I’ve read posts here that speak of “pressure”. I don’t really believe in pressure, or the assertion that others, or a situation, can “apply pressure you”. Pressure only exists where it is created, nurtured and fed, in your own mind. Your opponent, or certain situations, can’t “apply it to you”. It is you who creates it, by your perception of your opponent or a particular situation.
If you put in the time, the work, play and compete regularly, then you have done what is required to have the skills to play this game. In your practice, you learn your strengths, your weaknesses. If there is a shot that you consistently make in practice 9, or 10 out of 10 tries and you do it with no thought at all, then it is, or it should be the same in competition.
So when competing, when faced with this shot, to say, win a tournament, or to close out a set in a gambling matchup, why do some feel what is referred to as “pressure”?
The shot is exactly the same as it is in practice, where you feel no pressure. So why do you feel “pressure/nerves” in those pinnacle moments in competition? It’s that you are placing an importance on this shot in those situations that is not present in your practice sessions. The shot is the same, it’s your perception that is different. That change in perception, by placing that importance on it, is what causes you to “create” or give birth to “pressure, those nerves you feel”.
The best way to overcome this is mindfulness, being present in the moment and focusing on the process, instead of the outcome. Breathing helps with this tremendously, as does a solid PSR, the ritual of a PSR is something that can be relied upon in those moments to keep your mind focused on the process instead of the outcome.
