Hello everyone....I am a league player and cosistantly I do pretty well on my matches, however I am starting to enter the local tournament circuit and for some reason I lose the consistency of my stroke. I miss shots that I normally would not during regular play. Some people have said that it may be nerves but I honestly dont "feel" nervous when I shoot. I feel I have a pretty good pre-shot routine but it just isnt working when I play in tournaments. One of my concerns is, I started to feel really run down towards the tail end of the as it draws closer to the 1,2 and 3 spots. What are some things you guys do to keep refreshed and energetic when shooting in long lasting tournaments???
Need a little advice
- Thread starter Hunntyr
- Start date
Hunntyr said:
Stamina is a big issue in tournaments, especially once you are on the losers side. I really believe that the best way to prepare yourself is to make sure that you play some long practice sessions. This will give you valuable experience and will teach you how to maintain and sustain both your energy level and your competitive intensity for long stretches.
Coke ........a cola. LOL Just kidding. Try practicing when you're tired so you can figure out how to work on keeping your stroke as consistent as possible. Another thing, you have to pay attention to what makes your stroke good when you're fresh and replicate that when you're tired or nervous.
One thing I discovered a while back is that when I'm tired or nervous, I tighten up my shooting arm. I have learned to relax my shooting arm as much as I can and focus on that when I'm nervous or tired. Good luck!
One thing I discovered a while back is that when I'm tired or nervous, I tighten up my shooting arm. I have learned to relax my shooting arm as much as I can and focus on that when I'm nervous or tired. Good luck!
It could be just an adjustment to playing in tournaments. League can be a whole different animal. So when you say you don't feel nervous, that may be enough for league but a tournament can make you nevous in a different way.
If this is the case I don't think its to bad cause you know you can relax in league so relaxing in a tournament should come to you fairly easy.
It just takes a little time.
Whitey
If this is the case I don't think its to bad cause you know you can relax in league so relaxing in a tournament should come to you fairly easy.
It just takes a little time.
Whitey
Hunntyr said:
I started playing tournaments about 3 years ago and noticed the same thing. There are a lot of things I have to fix yet. There was one thing I've already fixed and all I had to do to fix it was realize it was an issue.
When I'm playing league I put so much pressure on myself that sometimes I sweet or get out of breath or develop a headache or combinations of those. I'm the shooter on the team (not a handicap league). They count on me for at least 3, hopefully 4 wins per match. When I goof up I can see the disappointment in there faces. They don't mean to be disappointed but I can see it. Pressure! Playing for my buddies, must win! When I played at the club (VFW) for fun, I do just that. No pressure, just concentrate enough to win most games and have fun.
Enjoying the lack of pressure.
It was such a relief at the tournaments to play in a competitive atmosphere and not to have all this pressure. I did not have to win. I found myself playing like I play for fun at the club. After about two tournaments I realized this and started to bare down and try to concentrate more.
Subject two:
This is nothing personal Hunntyr. I'm just pointing this out for anyone that might be having trouble at the tournaments, that plays well in a league. The tournaments I'm talking about are higher skill level than league players. $50 and up to enter. You don't get your common league player in these tournaments. You will see only the best league players and players that are good enough that they don't even bother with leagues anymore.
Lets say in league you normally have a .750 average (very good). Your the top player on your team. They always play you first. The opposing team plays there top player against you. (.750 your winning most of these) Weather you win or lose, as the match goes along your going to end up playing some of the weaker players on the opposing team. See what I'm getting at? Your .750 average is partly based on weaker players. So when you go to one of these tournaments your not going to shoot .750. Don't get too depressed. To win the tournament all you have to do is shoot .501 every time you play. Double elimination even allows you to stink once.
Pelican said:Pharmacuticals?
JK, Pel
Da Chronic
But really, (herb er not) I think it is a matter of focus. You have to keep in mind that when you are shooting, all that matters is the execution of your planned action.
Keep at it- it'll come!
-pigi
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How late in the evening are these tournaments going?
Some leagues try to keep you there as late as possible so the business makes more money from drinks/food, etc. (They insist on playing on only one table). I have been in some tournaments on weeknights where we did not get out of there until midnight.
Other leagues are more considerate of the players on weeknights and we usually go home before 10:00 PM.
So may want to check out different leagues in your area, especially if you need to get up early for work.
Other things which may help...
--Take a nap before going to the tournament.
--Eat something.
--Drink a cola soda pop/coffee, but the caffeine may keep you awake all night. I have a cola when I first arrive at the tournament, then switch to 7-up or water.
--If they have spare tables, may want to practice a little between matches.
--Walk around or go outside for fresh air.
--Play in as many money tournaments in your area as possible. This will get you used to waiting, stress, distractions, late hours, etc.
Some leagues try to keep you there as late as possible so the business makes more money from drinks/food, etc. (They insist on playing on only one table). I have been in some tournaments on weeknights where we did not get out of there until midnight.
Other leagues are more considerate of the players on weeknights and we usually go home before 10:00 PM.
So may want to check out different leagues in your area, especially if you need to get up early for work.
Other things which may help...
--Take a nap before going to the tournament.
--Eat something.
--Drink a cola soda pop/coffee, but the caffeine may keep you awake all night. I have a cola when I first arrive at the tournament, then switch to 7-up or water.
--If they have spare tables, may want to practice a little between matches.
--Walk around or go outside for fresh air.
--Play in as many money tournaments in your area as possible. This will get you used to waiting, stress, distractions, late hours, etc.