"Nervous" champions

[Terry Ardeno]

On another thread there was an nteresting point about "shotmaking under pressure". How is it that the seemingly "nervous" shooters, ala Sigel, Varner & Archer, were superior shotmakers? I have long assumed you have a greater tendancy to "choke" or "dog it" if you allow nerves to get the best of you. I love Nick Varner, but I always wondered about his grip hand shaking so bad. How does he end up winning World Championships in 8 ball, 9 ball, 1 Pocket, Banks and 14.1? I have so much respect for this all time GREAT champion. And when I would watch Sigel, he played so nervous he would make me tight watching him on tape! My Accu-Stats have played more than Gilligan's Island reruns & on every Sigel tape I had the same feeling as if I'de be watching a police bomb squad trying to defuse a bomb in a daycare center!! And Archer, with his picking things up from the table that aren't there and his re-setting up time after time on each shot...but, if you had to have someone shooting for your life, who would complain about either of these greats?

 

[Fuji-whopper]

Gabe Owens seems to have "nervous hands" when he is shooting. It might just be that he has naturally sweaty hands, but he wipes his cue down a lot and looks like he is not exactly sure all of the time. Then again if I played for what he plays for I would probably look like a vibrator and never be able to pull the trigger on any shot.

A few people that I have talked to, including some top pros, seem to feed off of nervous energy. Nervousness is a natural reaction and can help people realize their top game, it's just when nervousness turns into fear that their game suffers.

It's a fine line, but thats what separates the great players from the bangers. They use the pressure and nervous energy in a constructive manner instead of letting it break them down and dog shots.

 

[Harvywallbanger]

I get nervous when I play over my speed because I want so badly to keep that speed I start to fear that I will loose it and sure enough I talk myself into going back to my average speed or worse. I am starting to work on my mental game though and enjoy reading things like this. I'll get over my fear someday. Maybe tomorrow since I just basically told myself I was scared so maybe the left and right side of my brain can work out some sort of deal.

 

[StevenPWaldon]

I think it's pretty simple: they all get nervous. The difference lies in whether they show it or not.

Allison Fisher is often credited with being one of the coolest under pressure. I remember asking her about this a couple years ago in Vegas. I happened to be in Vegas at the same time the APA was in town. During the 8-ball finals, the crowd was watching the tables and Allison was sitting at a table so I chatted her up for about an hour. When I asked about nerves, pressure, etc. she said that she always gets nervous--everyone does, and anyone who says they don't probably aren't telling the whole truth. I guess some just show it more than others.