Playing in cold temperatures

[papercut]

As strange as this may sound, I've found that playing in my basement without the heater on is not too unlike how my body reacts when playing in a tournament. In a tournament (due to nerves), I find that my hands get cold, cue doesn't slide through bridge silky-smoothly, and wrist is a little more tense. Occassionally practicing in cold conditions and working/adjusting through extra levels of relaxation gives me sensory tools to employ when trying to calm myself in tournament play. Some of these tools is thinking to relax my jaw (hence, rest of the body relaxes) and a few extra warm-up strokes for relaxing the wrist.

I'm not talking about sub-freezing temperatures, but rather mid 60s and playing in a T-shirt.

Anyone else try this or notice how nerves seem to have a similar effect as lowering the body temperature?

 

[sjm]

As strange as this may sound, I've found that playing in my basement without the heater on is not too unlike how my body reacts when playing in a tournament. In a tournament (due to nerves), I find that my hands get cold, cue doesn't slide through bridge silky-smoothly, and wrist is a little more tense. Occassionally practicing in cold conditions and working/adjusting through extra levels of relaxation gives me sensory tools to employ when trying to calm myself in tournament play. Some of these tools is thinking to relax my jaw (hence, rest of the body relaxes) and a few extra warm-up strokes for relaxing the wrist.

I'm not talking about sub-freezing temperatures, but rather mid 60s and playing in a T-shirt.

Anyone else try this or notice how nerves seem to have a similar effect as lowering the body temperature?

Muscles are a little more likely to tighten or even cramp in colder playing conditions. In such conditions, managing your stress level becomes just slightly more important as stress is also a contributing factor to the tightening and/or cramping of muscles.

All in all, I guess I'd have to say that I've noticed the same things as you with respect to playing in such conditions.

 

[Billy_Bob]

I've played in some places which are quite cold. I think they are saving on their heating bill.

I don't play well when I am cold. And if I wear a coat to keep warm while playing, I don't feel relaxed. I guess I play the best in a short sleeve shirt and a comfortable temperature.

Perhaps I don't do well because I am thinking about how cold it is or my muscles are tensed up or something.

Maybe it is a concentration thing? I know I play better when I have no personal problems to worry about - all my business is taken care of - not a care in the world - relaxed basically.

I'm not relaxed when I am cold. And then constantly I'm thinking about if I would play better with a flannel shirt/coat and be warm, or in a short sleeve shirt and be more comfortable...

 

[cuejoey]

As strange as this may sound, I've found that playing in my basement without the heater on is not too unlike how my body reacts when playing in a tournament. In a tournament (due to nerves), I find that my hands get cold, cue doesn't slide through bridge silky-smoothly, and wrist is a little more tense. Occassionally practicing in cold conditions and working/adjusting through extra levels of relaxation gives me sensory tools to employ when trying to calm myself in tournament play. Some of these tools is thinking to relax my jaw (hence, rest of the body relaxes) and a few extra warm-up strokes for relaxing the wrist.

I'm not talking about sub-freezing temperatures, but rather mid 60s and playing in a T-shirt.

Anyone else try this or notice how nerves seem to have a similar effect as lowering the body temperature?

i recently put in a pool table in an addition of my house........i keep the temp.in the room at about 62 degrees..the other parts of the house at 72.the local hall is kept at 72......outside temp is about 32.....everyone that comes here to play likes the cooler room .....

 

[Jedi V Man]

My pool table is in my basement and it stays about 62 degrees down here, in Michigan.

I hate it.

I'll take a little too warm over a little to cold any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

If your hands sweat in a warmer pool hall or tournament, wash them a lot and keep a bottle of Alcohol and a rag handy to wipe your cue down and avoid talk...

Cold sucks.

Justy my$.02

 

[vapoolplayer]

As strange as this may sound, I've found that playing in my basement without the heater on is not too unlike how my body reacts when playing in a tournament. In a tournament (due to nerves), I find that my hands get cold, cue doesn't slide through bridge silky-smoothly, and wrist is a little more tense. Occassionally practicing in cold conditions and working/adjusting through extra levels of relaxation gives me sensory tools to employ when trying to calm myself in tournament play. Some of these tools is thinking to relax my jaw (hence, rest of the body relaxes) and a few extra warm-up strokes for relaxing the wrist.

I'm not talking about sub-freezing temperatures, but rather mid 60s and playing in a T-shirt.

Anyone else try this or notice how nerves seem to have a similar effect as lowering the body temperature?

well you're not lowering the body temperature, just the room temperature. i guess this could work as a practice routine............personally i'd just set the temperature where its not too hot and not too cold. for the tournament jitters......just play more tourneys to get used to that

thanks

VAP

 

[DaveK]

Cold sucks.

I concur, cold sucks. It's hard to have much feel at the table when you can't feel your extremeties !

Dave