Nervous

[Pearlnick]

I got a table a few months ago and have been playing a ton. I've really noticed a lot of improvements in my game. I can consistantly run 5-6 balls and sometimes the whole rack (9 ball), when I'm by myself.

As soon as some of my better playing friends show up, I have trouble running 2 or 3 balls. I over analyze my shots, second guess myself, and forget about basics like my stance and stroke. I start worrying about missing and giving my opponent a chance to runout. Over all, I guess I just get really nervous.

Any advice or tips to get over this?

 

[shipper]

Play them more often. Play as many people as you can that you know are good players.

Once you accept the fact that you could play every shot perfectly and still possibly lose, it might allow you to play better against skilled opponents. Don't focus on winning and losing, focus on the courage to put yourself under fire regularly.

 

[hang-the-9]

I got a table a few months ago and have been playing a ton. I've really noticed a lot of improvements in my game. I can consistantly run 5-6 balls and sometimes the whole rack (9 ball), when I'm by myself.

As soon as some of my better playing friends show up, I have trouble running 2 or 3 balls. I over analyze my shots, second guess myself, and forget about basics like my stance and stroke. I start worrying about missing and giving my opponent a chance to runout. Over all, I guess I just get really nervous.

Any advice or tips to get over this?

Try to picture your friends naked, it will take the nervousness out a bit.

Or is that for public speaking?

Eh, may as well try it, can't hurt. Unless you actually say "Bob, you look great naked, been working out lately", you may get punched.

Or just play more with other people, you just need to get it into your head you can play as well as anyone else (even if not true hehe), fear of failure or looking bad or your opponent will lead to looking like you just figured out which ball is the cueball for the first time today.

 

[americanfighter]

I have that problem from time to time as well here are some things to remember.

1. you may get preoccupied with pleasing/impressing your friends. Impressing/pleasing other players should not be on a players list of goals. The only expectations that matter are yours.

2. Set proper goals in your game. Don't think I hope or should win this game. Think I am going to hit the 7 ball with low left english then move on to the 8 ball. Focus on the here and now not the glory of winning the game.

3. the number 1 thing that kills confidence is fear. So ask yourself what are you afraid of.

4.Change your self to focus on what you want to do not what you are trying to avoid.

5. Use reality checks to cope with fear. For example If a pitcher is striking people out left and right the confidence of the on deck hitter lowers but if the same pitcher gets hit hard then the confidence of on deck hitter goes up because of the reality check of no pitcher is unhittablle. So Use reality checks like this run can be done and this shot can be made.

6. When fear starts to take over try to bring forward past successes to remind you what you are capable of not failures.

7. think positive I can vs I cant

8. finally relax. Become aware of your tension then step away from the pressure talk to yourself (in a positive way) move around to loosen up stretch visualize breath focus on the ball and relax.

Hope that helps

 

[bdorman]

I got a table a few months ago and have been playing a ton. I've really noticed a lot of improvements in my game. I can consistantly run 5-6 balls and sometimes the whole rack (9 ball), when I'm by myself.

As soon as some of my better playing friends show up, I have trouble running 2 or 3 balls. I over analyze my shots, second guess myself, and forget about basics like my stance and stroke. I start worrying about missing and giving my opponent a chance to runout. Over all, I guess I just get really nervous.

Any advice or tips to get over this?

None that are legal unless you live in Colorado or Washington. Even then, it might cause you to over-analyze your shots even more.

All I can say is make a conscious effort to play like you're playing alone. Don't overthink the shot and just use your practice pre-shot routine.

 

[Pearlnick]

None that are legal unless you live in Colorado or Washington. Even then, it might cause you to over-analyze your shots even more.

All I can say is make a conscious effort to play like you're playing alone. Don't overthink the shot and just use your practice pre-shot routine.

I live in CA and it is legal for me...kind of. Trust me, I get plenty of vitamin THC in my diet.

 

[Pearlnick]

I have that problem from time to time as well here are some things to remember.

1. you may get preoccupied with pleasing/impressing your friends. Impressing/pleasing other players should not be on a players list of goals. The only expectations that matter are yours.

2. Set proper goals in your game. Don't think I hope or should win this game. Think I am going to hit the 7 ball with low left english then move on to the 8 ball. Focus on the here and now not the glory of winning the game.

3. the number 1 thing that kills confidence is fear. So ask yourself what are you afraid of.

4.Change your self to focus on what you want to do not what you are trying to avoid.

5. Use reality checks to cope with fear. For example If a pitcher is striking people out left and right the confidence of the on deck hitter lowers but if the same pitcher gets hit hard then the confidence of on deck hitter goes up because of the reality check of no pitcher is unhittablle. So Use reality checks like this run can be done and this shot can be made.

6. When fear starts to take over try to bring forward past successes to remind you what you are capable of not failures.

7. think positive I can vs I cant

8. finally relax. Become aware of your tension then step away from the pressure talk to yourself (in a positive way) move around to loosen up stretch visualize breath focus on the ball and relax.

Hope that helps

Awesome advice! Thank you for taking the time to write this out. A lot of this makes sense.

 

[rayjay]

I have that problem from time to time as well here are some things to remember.

1. you may get preoccupied with pleasing/impressing your friends. Impressing/pleasing other players should not be on a players list of goals. The only expectations that matter are yours.

2. Set proper goals in your game. Don't think I hope or should win this game. Think I am going to hit the 7 ball with low left english then move on to the 8 ball. Focus on the here and now not the glory of winning the game.

3. the number 1 thing that kills confidence is fear. So ask yourself what are you afraid of.

4.Change your self to focus on what you want to do not what you are trying to avoid.

5. Use reality checks to cope with fear. For example If a pitcher is striking people out left and right the confidence of the on deck hitter lowers but if the same pitcher gets hit hard then the confidence of on deck hitter goes up because of the reality check of no pitcher is unhittablle. So Use reality checks like this run can be done and this shot can be made.

6. When fear starts to take over try to bring forward past successes to remind you what you are capable of not failures.

7. think positive I can vs I cant

8. finally relax. Become aware of your tension then step away from the pressure talk to yourself (in a positive way) move around to loosen up stretch visualize breath focus on the ball and relax.

Hope that helps

Lots of really good suggestions here, if you can put them into practice. I also suggest not trying to show anybody how good you are...backfires every time.

 

[CreeDo]

#1 cure for nervousness is to do whatever it is that tweaks you out, over and over.
Then you will find out that either

A: the thing you were afraid is going to happen... isn't actually going to happen. ...Or
B: the thing you were afraid of actually DOES happen, but it's not really a big deal.

Nervousness = a form of fear. So what are you afraid of? Be honest.
Are you afraid your friends will think you suck and laugh at you and publicly shame you?
Probably they won't do that because they're your friends and they'll be cool with you no matter how you shoot.

Are you afraid that privately they will think you are worse at pool, than you really are?

Well, it may not be any comfort, but in pool... most players only care about whether they're better than
the other guy. They don't really care HOW MUCH better. They just need to know that they're better.
So if your friends are more skilled than you, guess what? A guy who runs "only" 3 balls,
is pretty much exactly the same to them as a guy who runs 6-7 balls.
All that counts to them, is whether you are better than they are overall. If you know for sure you're not,
then stop worrying about it, because they surely aren't worried about it.

 

[bdorman]

I'd go back to analyzing my pre-shot routine when I'm practicing (playing well) vs. my pre-shot routine when playing others (playing poorly). It sounds like your PSR gets too long and involved when playing others.

The advantage of a PSR is that it is repeatable. Once you know your "practice PSR" you can use it in competitive situations; and you can know when you're deviating from it.

 

[Pre-Flag Master]

Try to picture your friends naked, it will take the nervousness out a bit.

I have one pool playing friend who I picture naked quite frequently... I hope she never comes to realize this. As for my other pool playing friends... not so much.

Seriously, the best advice, already given, place yourself in the situation that makes you nervous as much as possible. After time it will become old hat.

Fatz

 

[franko]

Me to

The same thing would happen to me also, before I started to play more in poolrooms. The first 9 ball league I joined no matter how much I practiced I could not make two balls in a row.I was aware of everything but the object ball. The third week in the league I was up against the best player, everyone in the room was watch his matches he played so well.I was a nervous wreck all day just thinking about it.Well the usual crowd gathered around the table we were on , his name was Larry and they always put him on a table near their snack bar because they knew people like to see him play.The format was 23 games of 9 ball on 9ft. Diamond tables.I did not care at all about winning I just wanted to prevent looking foolish.I never in my life concentrated so hard on just pocketing the object ball.I honestly do not remember seeing any of the faces watching it seemed the only thing I saw were the balls on the table.When it was all over he had won 14 games to my 9. The nine games I won were was a very respectable score against him.From that point on I have never had a hard time concentrating against any opponent.My advice is just focus on the ball and shape and imagine the whole room except for your table dark. Good luck I hope this helps like it did for me.

 

[Wedge]

Pre Shot Routine

Stick to your PSR when in competition. You will learn to rely on it and gain confidence. Don't think about anything else once you have determined the shot and the desired position. Just stick to your PSR and execution. Sounds simple but it works!

 

[hang-the-9]

I have one pool playing friend who I picture naked quite frequently... I hope she never comes to realize this. As for my other pool playing friends... not so much.
-- snip --
Fatz

A few years back, in a pool hall that closed, I walked in during tournament night and there was a very nice backside bent over taking a shot. I thought "whoo, nice, wonder who that is here, don't think I've seen her here before". When I went to the counter and turned around, it was actually a girl that was there fairly regularly, I just happened to not recognize her from the other side LOL. I actually told her what I was thinking about some new girl with a nice body in the room and she really enjoyed that I appreciated her "ass"ets.

 

[3andstop]

I can make a suggestion although more than likely you'll pay it little attention. :frown:

Stop playing that 9 ball smash em around game that is both anti rhythm and anti focus until you are able to feel both those things automatically.

Instead, play straight pool ( there I told ya you wouldn't listen) :smile:

 

[Lumocolor]

When you are at the table you are in fact playing alone. Not thinking of who is sitting in the chair waiting for my mistakes helped me worry less. When you're in control of the table just focus on the things you would normally and play the percentage shot whether that be pocketing a ball or attempting a safety that might have a better chance of success.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

"What you lack", said the great and powerful Oz, "is experience."
Remember, the game is not the teacher, as our good friend Mr. Wiley would lead you to believe. Experience is the teacher.
So how does one become experienced, you ask? By playing, playing, and playing some more. The more you play the more experience you'll acquire, and the better you'll become.
It's as simple (or, as hard) as that. :smile:

 

[Diogenes]

Change your environment... change your game

I got a table a few months ago and have been playing a ton. I've really noticed a lot of improvements in my game. I can consistantly run 5-6 balls and sometimes the whole rack (9 ball), when I'm by myself.

As soon as some of my better playing friends show up, I have trouble running 2 or 3 balls. I over analyze my shots, second guess myself, and forget about basics like my stance and stroke. I start worrying about missing and giving my opponent a chance to runout. Over all, I guess I just get really nervous.

Any advice or tips to get over this?

Pearlnick... all other possibilities aside, I was having somewhat the same problem until I (and my main playing buddy) noticed what was happening to both of us. Alone, I am good for a long run most of the time (if not the full Monty) and can often make the hardest of shots with little effort. My problem was not self-confidence or shooting around others and your's may not be either.
My buddy and I both realized that in a pool hall we played better than at my house. It was actually logical when you think about it. At home you socialize, chat about stuff other than pool and basically your mind gets distracted from the table too much. It's harder to social talk in a pool hall because the whole environment is pool. It's also that way when you are shooting alone.
So we started playing as if we are competing in a tournament. Each has his own chair (area) while the other is shooting and very little talking. When we did talk it was only about pool and usually at the end of a game and before the break, but never while someone was at the table. Surprisingly we both shoot lights out most of the time when we are in our "silent competition" mode. You should try this as I am betting that is likely most of your problem. You've got to stop chatting and just dance with the table if you want to make the runs.
Good luck. It bugged the hell out of me until we figured out why it was happening whenever others were around.

As for the confidence factor, don't tell your buddies how well you've been shooting alone... or you'll always have to live up to it and they will most likely put you to the test. Just know it and show it. But you have to make the shots for you and don't worry about impressing anyone. For me pool isn't about beating the opponent... it's about beating the player that I was yesterday. Win or loose I want my opponent to give me his best game, and I'll try to make sure that if he wins... he knows that he just shot his ass off to earn it.

 

[Dunnn51]

I have no psych. degree but it sounds to me like you are not confident in your abilities. I had this problem big-time as I knew a lot of what to do: however I could not yet do it well.(I have returned to pool after a hiatus of half a lifetime.) Get in enough practice time to make you feel confident about your ability on the table. Once you feel really good about yourself, you'll be bristling with eagerness to show your friends how much you have improved. (HINT: surprise them on the table, and just smile as the comments come) :wink:

Nervous at match time is a different story. NOONE knows how the game will end before it is played, we can only speculate. To get over nervous here is trial by fire! You need to do it enough to feel "comfortable" in the situation. Enter tournaments and set goals for yourself. Be realistic about them. As you try to attain your goals, you will be getting experience, hence losing the fear-factor all at the same time.
Good Luck !

 

[Ratta]

welcome to the game

What you run through every pro-player had to go through, too.
Practice is necessary-and one thing you have to do permanently. Then it comes to the mental part. Without starting to overcomplicate this here:
Ask yourself for what you are here ? (the table)

Always remember, that you re spending time with something you love to do.
Always make sure, that you JUST think about the present. Never think about things in the past (good shot or bad shot), and don t think about the future!

Try always just to focus on the process-not the outcome. The outcome will always be just a logical result from *doing your best* in executing what oyu have planned. That s it. If you re able to really do this all the time, you made a big step forward.

Pressure is needed- pressure forces you to focus even more. Take it positive. Every pro-player (or higher skilled player) feels pressure-he s just able to handle it!

have a smooth stroke and enjoy your table time.

lg
Ingo