LRNINGtheGAME
Mase-O
How to overcome nerves!
Nerves
- Thread starter LRNINGtheGAME
- Start date
Neil is correct. Keep your focus on the job at hand (making the shot).
Nerves are just a result of pressure. Once you can identify the source of your pressure, you can figure out how to deal with it. Are you thinking about what those watching you are thinking about you? Or what your opponent thinks about your game? Or what it will mean if you win the match? There are many sources of pressure, mostly brought on through our own thought process. (Chances are, most of those watching aren't judging you at all, and may not even being paying attention to the match)
Find the source of pressure, and you can overcome the nerves pretty quickly.
Steve
Nerves are just a result of pressure. Once you can identify the source of your pressure, you can figure out how to deal with it. Are you thinking about what those watching you are thinking about you? Or what your opponent thinks about your game? Or what it will mean if you win the match? There are many sources of pressure, mostly brought on through our own thought process. (Chances are, most of those watching aren't judging you at all, and may not even being paying attention to the match)
Find the source of pressure, and you can overcome the nerves pretty quickly.
Steve
The best solution I have seen for nerves is to loose enough matches so that you don't care what anyone thinks. By the time you do this, you will be winning more matches than you loose. This mainly applies to tournaments. If you are gambling. Don't play for more than you can afford to loose. Have your limit set and never exceed it.
I don't worry about it! Not that the "nerves" don't jump in, but I play a little sharper if I can feel my heart beating in my throat. Put me on a $1 a man on our Wednesday night "play day", and I don't care, but me in a tournament where I can win some money, or hang my milk money on the light, and my heart rate increases. BUT, it doesn't effect me adversely. It makes me more sharp and I LIKE that rush I get from those "competitive nerves". Just make 'em work for you!
Bob
Bob
Hmmmm
Once you've aimed the shot, once you have completed your pre-shot routine, there is nothing left to do but shoot. Make or miss it, always put your best stroke on the ball.
That takes the pressure off because regardless of the outcome you gave it all you had. If you stroked the way it was meant to be and didn't punch it, baby the shot, didn't drop your elbow, but actually put a GOOD STROKE on it, then you are done. Even if you happend to miss, at least you did it correctly (yes you can miss correctly) and not because you "tightened up"... and now you can assess whether your aiming was a bit off as to why you missed..... versus not having any clue what so ever...... And if you are going to miss you should look good doing it....thus good form and stroke are essential...
Once you've aimed the shot, once you have completed your pre-shot routine, there is nothing left to do but shoot. Make or miss it, always put your best stroke on the ball.
That takes the pressure off because regardless of the outcome you gave it all you had. If you stroked the way it was meant to be and didn't punch it, baby the shot, didn't drop your elbow, but actually put a GOOD STROKE on it, then you are done. Even if you happend to miss, at least you did it correctly (yes you can miss correctly) and not because you "tightened up"... and now you can assess whether your aiming was a bit off as to why you missed..... versus not having any clue what so ever...... And if you are going to miss you should look good doing it....thus good form and stroke are essential...
Last edited:
Kobachi
Scarred but Smarter
Or...
click here:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=2379863#post2379863
This might not be exactly what you're going through, but a lot of good advice in this thread.
Good luck to you.
click here:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=2379863#post2379863
This might not be exactly what you're going through, but a lot of good advice in this thread.
Good luck to you.
I sometimes have a problem making the last ball, either the 9 or 8 ball. I've started thinking of playing them like they are the 1 or 2 ball. I'll tell myself in a very low voice "Just pocked this 2 back then you're on the 8 hanging in the corner pocket" Works for be about 7 our of 10 times.
Jackass Syndrome
The affliction is sometimes referred to as the Jackass Syndrome (no offense intended).
I've occasionally experienced the same problem, but after reading the article in the next link,
I realize we are not alone, and that there are ways to combat this dreaded syndrome.
http://www.billiardworld.com/jackass.htm
.
.
The affliction is sometimes referred to as the Jackass Syndrome (no offense intended).
I've occasionally experienced the same problem, but after reading the article in the next link,
I realize we are not alone, and that there are ways to combat this dreaded syndrome.
http://www.billiardworld.com/jackass.htm
.
.
Beta-blockers
It's a bit of a tangent but...has anyone ever considered taking beta-blockers (e.g. Inderal) to hep with nerves? I've heard that musicians/actors take beta-blockers to help with stage fright, and many people I know take beta-blockers to help with performance anxiety right before a big presentation.
Not that I'm condoning using medication for non-prescribed purposes, but just putting it out there and see what people think...
It's a bit of a tangent but...has anyone ever considered taking beta-blockers (e.g. Inderal) to hep with nerves? I've heard that musicians/actors take beta-blockers to help with stage fright, and many people I know take beta-blockers to help with performance anxiety right before a big presentation.
Not that I'm condoning using medication for non-prescribed purposes, but just putting it out there and see what people think...
Booze, of course (haha)
Actually, a guy that I used to play on a team with used to take a Valium before we started each match. I think that he actually had a prescription for it for back problems/pain, but that was his remedy.
We also know, that there have certainly been Pro's that liked to drink when they play.
I personally play the best after 2 drinks (no more than 3) -- simply for the calming effect on the nerves. Although, I fully realize that drinking can have negative effects, since it is a depressant, and will obviously negatively impact your motor skills and perception
The best thing to do is to get used to playing under pressure by playing for money or in tournaments, and you should naturally begin to adjust to the pressure and start playing closer to your speed when relaxed.
Actually, a guy that I used to play on a team with used to take a Valium before we started each match. I think that he actually had a prescription for it for back problems/pain, but that was his remedy.
We also know, that there have certainly been Pro's that liked to drink when they play.
I personally play the best after 2 drinks (no more than 3) -- simply for the calming effect on the nerves. Although, I fully realize that drinking can have negative effects, since it is a depressant, and will obviously negatively impact your motor skills and perception
The best thing to do is to get used to playing under pressure by playing for money or in tournaments, and you should naturally begin to adjust to the pressure and start playing closer to your speed when relaxed.