Nervous break down

Many here has suggested taking a break. But, being in the throws of an addiction it might be a tough withdrawal :)

Don't play everyday. Take your breaks throughout the week. My example is that I don't play pool on Monday or Wednesdays at all. I usually play a weekly tournament on Tuesday, league on Thursday, and sometimes a Friday tournament if I don't have plans to do something else. The weekends are for bigger tournaments or if I don't feel like playing then I don't. That's the nice thing about tournaments. You are not obligated to play at all.

As far as practice, you want to keep it short (30 to 60 min) and focused (weak areas). This will also help keep you balanced. Don't get burned out! It's a great game but like Sean said keep it balanced. Good Luck!
 
The same happened to me. I used to think of the game all the time, even dreamed about it... I'm not kiddin. If I lost at the table from a "lesser" player I felt really bad inside and sometimes just had to go outside the poolroom to let some steam of. You have to enjoy the game to play good and that was gone. Then one year ago I became a dad and didn't have much time to play anyway so I decided to quit temporarily. I picked up a cue again a couple of day's ago and I really enjoyed it. Taking a break was really good and I think that when I start playing serious again I will be much more relaxed. Also the fact that I became a dad made me realize that pool is not the most important thing in my live (only 2nd most important :grin:).
 
Salty said:
The same happened to me. I used to think of the game all the time, even dreamed about it... I'm not kiddin. If I lost at the table from a "lesser" player I felt really bad inside and sometimes just had to go outside the poolroom to let some steam of. You have to enjoy the game to play good and that was gone. Then one year ago I became a dad and didn't have much time to play anyway so I decided to quit temporarily. I picked up a cue again a couple of day's ago and I really enjoyed it. Taking a break was really good and I think that when I start playing serious again I will be much more relaxed. Also the fact that I became a dad made me realize that pool is not the most important thing in my live (only 2nd most important :grin:).
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Welcome to the forums Salty!!!

Maniac
 
yep, you may be close to normal, with an apparent association with anxiety attacks.

You THINK too much. I know because this too is a part of my barrier to a high level of play.

I've seen myself play like a 9-Speed in Ring Games & tournaments, yet I couldn't get it together to win in a heads up matches. I don't suffer too many ghosts, but they are there & I am constantly on guard , so that I don't invite them into my life.

My first big tournament win, I wrote in the palm of my hand.. "One shot st a time". 100+ matches later I was the winner. I looked at my palm every shot, to get that reminder....

Hopefully, you will overcome these ghosts...
 
Everybody has brought up some good points. Personally I do find a break helps.

The problem with that is you may not be able to take a break because of league commitments or what ever. In those situations you have to find something else to get you into your groove.

I can give you an example from last night. I play usually 2 nights a week, but I also spare for a team on Monday nights. These guys are in a good position to take thier league/division so I put a lot of pressure on myself todo well for them. I don't know what the differnce is between thier team and my team who is also leading the scoring race for our division, but the pressure is way different.

Anyways, sorry to get off track, I was feeling it last night. My first game I tried a little too hard to get position on my next ball and missed my shot giving my opponent a pretty easy rack to run out. Oh well, that's done, I felt bad about it but there was nothing I could do.

I had a little time before my next game so I was kinda staring off into space and just taking in the sights as I looked around. I noticed at other tables there were lots of people smiling, having fun and competing.

I thought to myself, yes, it's that simple, remember why you play in the first place. It's all about fun. Even if you're serious and are in contention to win. After all winning is more fun.

After that, I played perfect pool. won the rest of my games and made an insane runout.

So, to sum it up. Have fun, put as much or as little pressure on yourself as you want as long as you're still having fun.

It never hurts to take a look around and see what kind of fun others are having too.
 
Thank you all for your time and replies.

I am too addicted to take a break which was advice in quite a few replies. I am also captain of my team. I will also say this is mine and the wife's night out.

I live 10 miles from the closest gas station with the closest neighbor 1/2 mile away. Outside of pool I basically have no friends.

I have an addictive personality where I get into something and its all I do until I get bored and then move on. Pool is different I took a 25yr break while raising kids. I am retired partially due to the anxiety. So I have plenty of time to play.

I believe over thinking as many of you pointed out is part of my problem.

Last night I may had several factors working against me. The team I was playing is the team everyone hates. The SL2 is the coach most of the time. The rest of the team are 4's and one 5 but even he ask the 2 for advice. They are loud and the captain thinks she is gods gift to man. She even said she tries to be distracting why else would I have payed for these breast. The last game she had to do a replay and was constantly telling my guy I can tell you what you doing wrong but not until were done. I will show you how to make that shot while she took 16 safeties 32 innings to lose him 2-2 (4 games). He and his wife are new and because our division is screwed up with only 3 teams I am afraid they will end up deciding its no fun with one very good team to play and one mediocre team that is just unpleasant to play. Every third week we get a bye. I think and worry to much I know.

Seeing professional help I have done but that was a shrink. Insurance will not cover a qualified instructor.

Thank you all again I really wasn't expecting all the input. A great bunch here indeed. I will try to just play for a while with minimal thinking and have fun.
 
8up said:
Thank you all again I really wasn't expecting all the input. A great bunch here indeed. I will try to just play for a while with minimal thinking and have fun.
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Dang it!!! I guess I'm not gettin' the cues and stuff, huh???

Maniac
 
Maniac said:
Dang it!!! I guess I'm not gettin' the cues and stuff, huh???

Maniac
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Nope Maniac your out of luck. But you may have mislead. :smile: I said I hate to love it and love to hate it. I don't think I ever mentioned quitting.

What I think would help me a ton is to be able to find someone close that knows how to shoot well and knows how to "Teach" it. I would want something along the lines of 1 hour a week with specific things to work on that week versus a 2 day crash session. Plus I could afford it a lot easier that way.
 
Greenman, thats some of the best advise so far. I can't tell you how many times I've put to much pressure on myself to do well and have dogged it.

I do the same thing with the next games, just go out and shoot like it was just for fun, with the same result as you.
 
Exactly, thats why we guys get divorced.

In fact, why do men usually die before their wives do?
Because they want to.
 
To fix problem

Get on some Effexor,once you get the right dossage,it will smooth out.I use to have some of same problems,now I take in some fresh air and focus and shoot it at the hole.
 
8up said:
That is what pool is giving me. I can't figure out if I love to hate it or hate to love it 50% of the time.

I wake up and spend most of each day thinking about it. I watch matches I read books on it. I buy videos about it. I go to sleep thinking about it. I shoot every day. I may not be using my shooting time as effectively as I should but I rarely just bang balls. I have spent numerous hours in the basement practicing without ever having a full rack of balls on the table. I watched the first 10 chapters of the CTE/Pro time after time drawing diagrams and putting it pause. My light bulb must be burnt out as it never came on.

I sometimes go for a week shooting really well and then for days its like part of my brain went dormant. I can't see the shot or I start missing every cut the same way. I feel like an idiot. Its like the more I learn or know the more ways I find to screw it up.

1 thing thats screws me up is anxiety. I hate losing to someone when I know I am better than them. which makes it harder to win the next game or match. In the past I would have a couple drinks to try to chill out. It worked sometimes.

I rarely drink at all now because I made an ass out of myself after playoffs. I played the games without drinking with anxiety making my face burn and my arms tremble. I had a few too many afterwards and did not like the descriptions of me that night.

Tonight I lost to a person who I know hasn't got more talent. She was the better shot tonight as I dogged many shots and found every way to mess up the outs she left me.

I am starting to question my sanity

no real question here, I just needed to vent
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Take a little break and get your head straight.That is just how it is for most players at 1 time or another. You probably need to get your mind
on something else for a week or 2 and even longer if need be. Good Luck Dude
 
Playing on different types of equipment is an excellent idea. You're always tricking your feel and sight because of different rails, worn cloth, lighting ect. Plus a change of scenery never hurt nobody.
 
Here's a few simple steps that you can choose to use or not (no aiming discussion):

1) Do all your thinking standing up. Once you have decided on your shot/position, get down and execute it...period. If you become undecided while down on the shot, get up & start over.

2) Treat every shot with the same importance. Develop a rhythm.

3) Concentrate on keeping your head still and make sure you follow through. See/feel the cue go well past the cueball with acceleration.

4) Results are not the beat all end all of how you play each session. Remind yourself what you did well and what you would like to work on. Just don't get frustrated.

5) Smile. Remember when pool was fun and each shot was amazement? It still is, enjoy yourself.

Or, quit :) ... NOT.

Happy stroking,

Dave
 
I just put my self in a happy place, where beer is served between the D's, much like Happy Gilmore with the philosophy of Chevy Chase...."be the ball" nanananananana.......dadadadadadadada...........
 
Maniac said:
Welcome to the forums Salty!!!

Maniac
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Thnx Maniac, I was allready registered for a while but I guess it's better to be an active member and give your opinion now and then. Also my native language is Dutch but I hope everybody understands my "english" here. :wink:
 
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