All these guys are right that it's nerves. It happens to a lot of people but it does usually settle down after a few weeks. I had the same thing when I started BCA. I felt more intimidated because it's a no handicap league. Turns out I'm better than most of the players but it took a while for that to show in my play and my winning percentage. Being friendly and having fun helps in being accepted, making it easier to be relaxed and play well.
I still have bad nights though, but now it's more because I over estimate my own ability and forget to stick to good fundamentals.
I finally got relaxed and playing ok in league and I recently tried a local tournament and it was like the whole thing over again. Totally nervous and totally choked and it totally sucked.
I got "The Pleasures of Small Motions" for Christmas and it has a great section on the difference between practice or playing with your friends vs competition, how it can affect your play, and what you can do about it. The book has some good concepts that did help me settle down and play better in the league. I tried to apply those when I went to the tournament but it was easier said than done and once I started getting nervous and choking all that went out the window. I didn't even figure out all the things I was doing wrong with timing, pre-shot routine, decision making, and attitude until I was on my way home feeling like sh*t and like I never wanted to pick up a pool cue again. It lasted about two days before I was back on the practice table again.
Haven't tried the tournament again though. I've heard that just like league, just playing in more tournaments will help you get used to the pressure and settle the nerves. On the good side, playing in league doesn't seem as big of a deal now and it's easier to relax and have fun there. When you are relaxed and having fun, you tend to play better.
I got the book, "The Pleasures of Small Motions" and a few others based on recommendations from people right here in these forums. I knew I often didn't play to my potential in pressure situations and this book does help in that regard, although that's actually only a small part of the book. The main thrust is how to take your game to a higher level by taking pleasure in the game, building a good stroke and routine, and then finding and playing in your natural rythym. As most of us know already, timing is critical to a consistently good stroke, and the rythym stuff is really about timing and how to make it consistent.
Anyway, I recommend the book. You should have your fundamentals workng pretty well first though. I recommend Byrnes "Standard Book of Pool" and Phil Capelle's "Play Your Best Pool" first.
I still have bad nights though, but now it's more because I over estimate my own ability and forget to stick to good fundamentals.
I finally got relaxed and playing ok in league and I recently tried a local tournament and it was like the whole thing over again. Totally nervous and totally choked and it totally sucked.
I got "The Pleasures of Small Motions" for Christmas and it has a great section on the difference between practice or playing with your friends vs competition, how it can affect your play, and what you can do about it. The book has some good concepts that did help me settle down and play better in the league. I tried to apply those when I went to the tournament but it was easier said than done and once I started getting nervous and choking all that went out the window. I didn't even figure out all the things I was doing wrong with timing, pre-shot routine, decision making, and attitude until I was on my way home feeling like sh*t and like I never wanted to pick up a pool cue again. It lasted about two days before I was back on the practice table again.
Haven't tried the tournament again though. I've heard that just like league, just playing in more tournaments will help you get used to the pressure and settle the nerves. On the good side, playing in league doesn't seem as big of a deal now and it's easier to relax and have fun there. When you are relaxed and having fun, you tend to play better.
I got the book, "The Pleasures of Small Motions" and a few others based on recommendations from people right here in these forums. I knew I often didn't play to my potential in pressure situations and this book does help in that regard, although that's actually only a small part of the book. The main thrust is how to take your game to a higher level by taking pleasure in the game, building a good stroke and routine, and then finding and playing in your natural rythym. As most of us know already, timing is critical to a consistently good stroke, and the rythym stuff is really about timing and how to make it consistent.
Anyway, I recommend the book. You should have your fundamentals workng pretty well first though. I recommend Byrnes "Standard Book of Pool" and Phil Capelle's "Play Your Best Pool" first.
