Need a fix for Performance Anxiety

[MCP]

Gap

I stopped playing around 1975/76 (20/21 years old)
I started Playing 2012 --
3 years of consistent playing I would say I am at about 35/40% of 75/76
Pretty frustrating but not looking for miricales just steady improvement
As for performance anxiety -- I try and play for a few bucks at least one a week
Helps my focus and builds confidence which helps with anxiety.
We are all wired differently hang in there and try and let go of the result and play.
MCp.

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

pool

Beta Blockers

 

[Charlie Hustle]

Baxter beat me to it. I was going to say a couple of Crown and 7's. I never gamble or play tourney without at least 2 in me. Relaxes me and helps me tune everything else out.

 

[Cardigan Kid]

It's important to stress that I'm not actually really "thinking" about these things. It is more like a kind of meditation. My breathing slows down and I don't actually feel that I'm thinking about anything. I just "become" Buddy..

You hit the nail dead on the head with this one. How long have you been playing to recognize this technique and perfect it to where it comes to you?
In all the materials that I've found which describe this mental approach to the game, it is clear you must practice continuously focused on reaching this mental state. And eventually after thousands of hours, it becomes natural or a mental state you can bring yourself to at will. This is where those that succeed in sports can get to during competition.

I'll never forget the words of my instructor in deep sea diving school-we were sent to the bottom to work and at random times our air supply would be shut off-his words to me were "no matter what happens, your training will take over, and you'll know what to do". Before we even touched water we drilled and drilled on what to do in emergencies, and it burned into our brains so when it happens at depth, zero panic sets in. Thank you master diver Richard Cortez.

I see this in pool, if you drill and drill pressure situations into your mind, when you find your self on the 8 for the money, your training takes over and you just do it.

 

[lost]

Just be glad this isn't golf. Try to hit a golf ball dead center with a club head speed of 90 to 120 mph while standing on the first tee with 30 or 40 people standing around. I've seen grown men fall apart
I don't think its possible to miss the cue ball when the cue is only moving a matter of inches and you are directly behind the ball and you are basically poking straight at it. Miss the shot....sure. Who cares?
I've played almost all sports and I would have to say there really isn't anything less stressful than shooting pool. Worst case scenario the ball travels to a cushion and bounces back. It's not exactly like air balling a foul shot in basketball.

 

[rocket23]

I'm 37. Quit around the age old 25. The usual "met a girl" story. Now, I have a family and a demanding job and all and I understand the correlation of these things to not executing as well, but cannot attribute it to nerves or dogging simple shots. I make the shots when playing with friends or leagues or in a generally casual environment, just dog in the tournaments. I haven't started gambling on pool again and won't if I don't fix this

quite simple really....You've been in the ''bubble'' of life, you just poked your head out; 15 years earlier than expected. I too lost my first match coming back after 15 years, But I practiced , and won my next match, not convincingly mind you, but won all the same. I have no idea where the ''killer'' instinct went. But I need to tell myself that the guy that plays me next , just stepped all over my mothers grave.......that oughta do it.

 

[rocket23]

Just be glad this isn't golf. Try to hit a golf ball dead center with a club head speed of 90 to 120 mph while standing on the first tee with 30 or 40 people standing around. I've seen grown men fall apart
I don't think its possible to miss the cue ball when the cue is only moving a matter of inches and you are directly behind the ball and you are basically poking straight at it. Miss the shot....sure. Who cares?
I've played almost all sports and I would have to say there really isn't anything less stressful than shooting pool. Worst case scenario the ball travels to a cushion and bounces back. It's not exactly like air balling a foul shot in basketball.

I concur! I've seen people shake like a leaf when lining up a shot........I dunno what all the fuss is about........I agree , there are plenty of sports/hobbies way more stressful than pool, after all How important IS ''I'm better than you"" at a pool table?!

 

[rocket23]

:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Straightpool_99]

You hit the nail dead on the head with this one. How long have you been playing to recognize this technique and perfect it to where it comes to you?
In all the materials that I've found which describe this mental approach to the game, it is clear you must practice continuously focused on reaching this mental state. And eventually after thousands of hours, it becomes natural or a mental state you can bring yourself to at will. This is where those that succeed in sports can get to during competition.

I'll never forget the words of my instructor in deep sea diving school-we were sent to the bottom to work and at random times our air supply would be shut off-his words to me were "no matter what happens, your training will take over, and you'll know what to do". Before we even touched water we drilled and drilled on what to do in emergencies, and it burned into our brains so when it happens at depth, zero panic sets in. Thank you master diver Richard Cortez.

I see this in pool, if you drill and drill pressure situations into your mind, when you find your self on the 8 for the money, your training takes over and you just do it.

I came up with this technique independently 3 or 4 years ago having played for many years before that. I was motivated by a heartbreaking loss against one of the top players in my country for a small amount of money. On the hill I blew a simple out, and I started thinking "Why do things like this always happen to me and rarely guys like Buddy?" Still working on it and far from perfect of course. After all, I'm not a top player, but I have improved steadily since I started working on it.

There is a lot happening in our minds that is poorly understood. I remember the guy who first taught me how to play talking about the cue "disappearing" in his hand when he was playing well. At the time I had no idea what he was talking about. Since that time I have from time to time experienced this feeling when I was playing my very best, but it is not a feeling I can tap into at will. It just happens. The technique I described earlier is fairly reliable to get into a similar mode for me. But if I could ever find a way to get into the "disappearing cue" mode, I know I'd be a lot better than I am now.

 

[Spiorad_Fola]

Just a random thought, but if the rules allow it, headphones. I usually put mine in when I gamble. I just put on some good blues (solid rhythm, not too up tempo), and tune everything else out. It's kind of a white noise that shuts my brain up, drowns out everything else but instinct.
Just my $0.02, ymmv.

 

[philly]

I'm 37. Quit around the age old 25. The usual "met a girl" story. Now, I have a family and a demanding job and all and I understand the correlation of these things to not executing as well, but cannot attribute it to nerves or dogging simple shots. I make the shots when playing with friends or leagues or in a generally casual environment, just dog in the tournaments. I haven't started gambling on pool again and won't if I don't fix this

To the contrary for me. Gambling has raised my game. It lets me find a gear. Similar story for me. I took 40+ years off and have been back 10 months and am back to where I was before and am determined to get better. Try playing sets for $10 or $5 a set and make sure you always play someone better than you.
The better the opponent the more you learn. Get weight and watch and learn. This is what worked for me. You might be surprised how well you focus when you have skin in the game instead of just potting balls.

 

[jayman]

This book should be very helpful.

 

[rocket23]

Just a random thought, but if the rules allow it, headphones. I usually put mine in when I gamble. I just put on some good blues (solid rhythm, not too up tempo), and tune everything else out. It's kind of a white noise that shuts my brain up, drowns out everything else but instinct.
Just my $0.02, ymmv.

I always liked machine head by Bush.......kinda fits, mebbe a little too much , but it werked for me :wink:

 

[PocketPooler]

Ya know, this is not the first time I have read this re our game. Goes with anything else in life also.

I did play some good games today, but, now that you mentioned this, I got myself into a rut too early.

Like, if this is what you expect from yourself after missing a few shots, you won't disappoint yourself if you get negative.

I probably allowed myself to worry about missed shots when I was down on another, and should have been moving forward.

Anyway, if it didn't cheer the OP up, it did for me. Was a good memory jog.

worked for me as well!

 

[PocketPooler]

all good stuff here. Thanks for the help. Decided to take a week off, and I already can't wait to get back on the table. Going to put all of this to good use and expect better results.

 

[CJ Wiley]

"you can't have the mental without the physical"

This "mental game" stuff is highly overrated.
First.....I am not concerned how much swag the other guy has, I don't care if he shoots 'em in like a bullet, NONE of that is going to affect me.
Most times, sooner or later I will get a turn at the table. Then all I can do is execute the mechanics that have been proven to work. My fear won't change a thing...I live in fear, I am scared of everyone, and so all that means nothing. If he pulls a gun, then it's just a matter of who fires first and more accurately because I have a smoker too.
I am ALWAYS scared of everyone, I am ALWAYS intimidated by everyone, but unless the opponent starts running his mouth on my shots or reaches up and grabs my stick, there is NOTHING he can do to keep me from performing.
As far as gambling "pressure" goes....if I couldn't afford to lose the money, I would not have bet it up in the first place
I do pretty good sometimes. I usually have the game won before the balls are broken.
His swag, or strutting, or showing how baaaaaad he is doesn't amount to a hill of beans.
Plus I am certifiably manic depressive.

You're right, the mental stuff is over-rated. Confidence comes from the physical, not the mental side of completion.

I was told long ago "you can't have the mental without the physical," and they proved correct. This applies to many things in life, especially performing in sports and games.

 

[jayman]

You're right, the mental stuff is over-rated. Confidence comes from the physical, not the mental side of completion.

I was told long ago "you can't have the mental without the physical," and they proved correct. This applies to many things in life, especially performing in sports and games.

"You're right, the mental stuff is over-rated" Yes, I think that was a quote from Einstein. But he was probably wrong. Pool being such a physically challenging game and all.

 

[dawgcpa]

Performance

We mentioned beer but anyone ever play on Xanax? It is suppose to mellow you out so Ive always wondered if it would help in golf or pool when under pressure...

 

[CJ Wiley]

."you can't have the mental without the physical"

"You're right, the mental stuff is over-rated" Yes, I think that was a quote from Einstein. But he was probably wrong. Pool being such a physically challenging game and all.

Pool is physically demanding at times....."you can't have the mental without the physical"

 

[James2003]

I stopped playing 12 years ago, and started playing again a little over a year ago. I stuggled for the first month back at the table but things started getting back on track quickly after a month. Although I am not playing as well as I did in my 20s, I still see a lot of the same things, but fail to execute and drive home the win all too often.
For example, 4 hours ago.
8 ball, Opponent breaks dry, I go for the runout after two break out shots to set up my out. I'm on my last ball (5) with natural shape for the 8. The shot is comparable to a spot shot, fairly routine. The ball rattles.
My opponent caroms off my 5 sending it up table during his runout but gets out of line for his last ball. He misses leaving me an inch off the rail from left footrail corner pocket. My 5 ball is 6 inches of left rail, 6 inches above the side pocket. 8ball is on right rail middle diamond on head string. Very simple out, and I will be safe if I rattle the 5 in the corner. I take my time, focused on breathing, concentrated on pocketing the ball with slight stun/draw stroke, and absolutely shanked the 5 into the first footrail diamond. without cutting the ball to the left my safe position was no longer safe as the cue ball stopped nearly on contact leaving my opponent the simplest of outs. I raked the table and went on to game 2. Lost that one too.

This is happening way too often to me and need a fix. I understand that only I can make myself focus and clear my head, but I just feel like I have lost the Killer Instinct I had 10 years ago to send my opponents home. I play better than nearly all of my friends that I play with, but it seems that in any tournaments, I find myself going home first. I am at the end of my rope and need some motivation and a cure.

You and me both. Seems like I am missing easy shots that is costing me the game.

But so far in 9 ball league (6 games per night against 3 different opponets)
I am standing like this.

Games won
Week 1 4
Week 2 3
Week 3 4
Week 4 4
Week 5 4


I would say at least 6 of the games I lost I gave away.


I need to figure out how to buckle down and stop giving games away.
most weeks I am only shotting once or twice a week. Years ago I was playing at least 5 days a week. then when I got my table at home I was playing daily even if it was only for a hour. I would still be hitting balls daily. I really need a table at home.

I am also shotting with new cues and just picked up a jacoby edge shaft a week ago.