No win situation A.P.A.

S

Shaky1

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm rated a 7 in A.P.A league. I also just naturally get nervous when I shoot pool. The only way I can shoot to a 7 level is if I drink enough beer to stop shaking. Sometimes as many as 5 or 6 in a 7 game match.
I don't want to have to play this way. I have tried to do it without drinking. It's hilarious.
If I don't drink, I would never win a match. No one would want me on their team.
When I'm home I never drink while shooting pool and can't run 5 balls.
Even my team captain will tell me that I'm going to be playing that night, and I had better start drinking!
I wish I had 2 different skill levels. One for sober, and another for drunk!
I would choose sober, come what may.
 
I struggle with this as well. I've recently tried not to drink until after my match and it's tough like you said. I know this sounds really cliche but try some breathing techniques.

The only way we're going to get to our full potential is through a clear and sober mind. I feel like enya should be playing in the back ground right now. Good luck to you.
 
I had a very good player tell me that when I get nervous to play with a shorter back swing and stroke until I would loosen up. Also learn to take deep breaths into your belly. This will help you relax.
 
Im sure its just a mental stump are you active in pool tournaments ? Maybe you just need to compete more and not worry about im a 7 and can run this chump into the ground.
 
doitforthegame said:
Try this: http://www.bettyfordcenter.org/index.php

If you "can't" do something without drinking you have an issue or two. Wait until life hits you with something that actually matters....

Bob
Click to expand...

I knew this was coming. I can do everything else without drinking. I just can't control the shakes playing pool. Most times I don't even start to shake until I pick up the damn cue.
I should say, I don't shake really badly.
 
Last edited:
I'm not a teetotaller but I don't like to hear when people say "I can't do XYZ without drinking."

You might want to check out "Pleasures of Small Motions" by Bob Fancher. He talks about consciously addressing (and dealing with) the reasons for the nervousness.

-matthew
 
Just shoot and dont drink... you will plose and play bad and your skill level will go down to your sober level... then you dont have to drink and shoot anymore.
 
I was the same way for years. Then I sobered up and it took a few months for my game to get to a level while playing sober that I was happy with.
Then I just get better and better.
Now there is nothing to blame losing on other than my poor shooting.Which has helped me identify problem areas and be able to remember them long enough to work on the next time I played.
You will be surprised at how well you shoot after you give yourself enough time to get used to it.
Good luck, just stay at it.
 
krupa said:
I'm not a teetotaller but I don't like to hear when people say "I can't do XYZ without drinking."

You might want to check out "Pleasures of Small Motions" by Bob Fancher. He talks about consciously addressing (and dealing with) the reasons for the nervousness.

-matthew
Click to expand...

DITTO! Great book!
 
Wow Shaky, I'm sorry to hear that. I too, play as an APA 7 but rarely drink when I play, I rarely get nervous when I play anymore and that's not a good thing for me.

When I used to get nervous, I played a lot better. It made me focus, now I just have trouble making myself play hard, I usually don't start running out unless I have to, this is not something I'm proud of either.

I'd say you need to play sober to get used to it. Yes, you will go through a rough patch, Probably for a long time but I'd think you will learn to play through it. I wish you luck in getting over this obstacle.

I was playing Efren in the DCC a couple of years ago and I was as calm as playing at home, I should have been a nervous wreck but I was too relaxed. That was actually a let down, I really need to work on bearing down as my nerves used to make me do that. I feel as if my game has slipped considerably since my nervous days even though my knowledge and fundamentals are considerably stronger.

Good luck with playing on the straight! Peace, JoeyK
 
Shaky1 said:
I knew this was coming. I can do everything else without drinking. I just can't control the shakes playing pool. Most times I don't even start to shake until I pick up the damn cue.
I should say, I don't shake really badly.
Click to expand...

Hey, I was a little grouchy this morning. Old guys are like that sometimes. You have received some good advice from other players. You need to stop drinking and playing and learn how to deal with the pressure. I would recommend you have a good talk with yourself and find out what you are afraid of. You are a 7 so you are a good player. You know what to do. Are you afraid of taking a loss and having to deal with comments from your teammates? Are you afraid you really aren't as good as the rating says and you will be exposed by the other player? You need to come clean with yourself. you can't control what the other guy does on the table. You can only control what you do. Don't even look at the other player or your teammates during the match. Just focus on the table. Make sure your back hand is gripping the cue loosely and you are not holding it too tight. Then keep your front hand on the table to the count of three after you stroke through the cueball. I hope this can improve your game.

Bob
 
Alcohol

I think it is time for you to step it up to harder drugs.

Bad joke.

Seriously, you need to re-train your brain. You are for from alone in this. There are a lot of people that have learned skills inebriated. Therefore, they need to get the mix right to be able to perform at that particular level.
So, I think you know the answer.....and I wish you the strength to persevere through this. It will be worth it.
 
fun

This is an interesting topic for sure. I find that there are nights when I feel great mentally and it doesn't matter how much I drink, I'll still play great. There are other nights when I'm just not happy about something, or just not in a good frame of mind that I'll be affected by alcohol(even a little) , table next to me, loud music, etc. I like to drink and play but it doesn't always favor me for sure. Some nights you're just going to have to back off of the drink until after your match, some nights you can drink away. A lot of it is mental and some of it just isn't. As far as being a 7, just enjoy the game and play with confidence. It will eventually start to feel comfortable for you. Good luck and enjoy your pool!
 
I have the same problem on wend. night leagues its a pretty crazy feeling although I don't really get the shakes but alcohol just takes off the edge.
 
I quit the league for 9 years. They brought me back in as a 7. I found out afterward that if I had waited 1 more year, I would have been taken off the records and been allowed to come back as a 4. :(
Problem would have been solved. I do know that I'm no better than a 5 sober. That is a fact.
 
doitforthegame said:
Hey, I was a little grouchy this morning. Old guys are like that sometimes. You have received some good advice from other players. You need to stop drinking and playing and learn how to deal with the pressure. I would recommend you have a good talk with yourself and find out what you are afraid of. You are a 7 so you are a good player. You know what to do. Are you afraid of taking a loss and having to deal with comments from your teammates? Are you afraid you really aren't as good as the rating says and you will be exposed by the other player? You need to come clean with yourself. you can't control what the other guy does on the table. You can only control what you do. Don't even look at the other player or your teammates during the match. Just focus on the table. Make sure your back hand is gripping the cue loosely and you are not holding it too tight. Then keep your front hand on the table to the count of three after you stroke through the cueball. I hope this can improve your game.

Bob
Click to expand...

You pretty much summed it up there. Afraid of being exposed? Yes. Afraid that I'm not as good as the rating says? Yes.
Afraid my team mates will hate my guts. Yes.
 
Shaky1 said:
I'm rated a 7 in A.P.A league. I also just naturally get nervous when I shoot pool. The only way I can shoot to a 7 level is if I drink enough beer to stop shaking. Sometimes as many as 5 or 6 in a 7 game match.
I don't want to have to play this way. I have tried to do it without drinking. It's hilarious.
If I don't drink, I would never win a match. No one would want me on their team.
When I'm home I never drink while shooting pool and can't run 5 balls.
Even my team captain will tell me that I'm going to be playing that night, and I had better start drinking!
I wish I had 2 different skill levels. One for sober, and another for drunk!
I would choose sober, come what may.
Click to expand...

Shaky1:

I seem to recall this topic came up in another thread (was it you? not sure...). But there is a rare affliction called "familial benign essential tremors" that, of all things, alcohol seems to suppress.

The great snooker player, big Bill Werbeniuk, had this affliction, and he (Bill) was known for consuming staggering amounts of alcohol to be able to play at his level -- around six pints of lager before a match and then one pint for each frame.

However, it was also this same alcohol consumption that ended his life prematurely, at 56 years of age. So the use of alcohol to treat the symptoms of familial benign essential tremors is a double-edged sword.

Personally, I think the right thing to do, is to consult a medical professional. Perhaps schedule a physical exam for yourself (you should be doing this on an annual basis anyway, and most medical plans cover these as part of the plan). While in the physical, inform the physician about your issue, and he/she may either find the root cause right there in the exam (or perhaps later, after blood/urine/stool sample analysis results arrive back to him/her), or may want to schedule some follow-up tests. It is the right thing to do. It could be hiding some underlying affliction or something. But you won't know unless you have a professional look.

Hope this is helpful!
-Sean
 
You are half way there Shaky, at least you are being honest. That is very commendable in my opinion. I hope you beat the demons within.. I wish you much success my friend!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top