please help what do i do when i get nervous??
- Thread starter seanjonsean
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Several people have said this already - some nervousness is a good thing, it helps me focus on the game, and also unleashes the all-important "killer instinct".
For instance, I always seemed to do better when playing away from my usual haunts - particularly in new rooms where I didn't know the players. Maybe it was the longer drive to the tournament, or the sense of commitment to purpose that I got from spending the night in a motel. For additional inspiration, I always took "Playing Against the Rail" with me and would read it before going to sleep.
Ken
For instance, I always seemed to do better when playing away from my usual haunts - particularly in new rooms where I didn't know the players. Maybe it was the longer drive to the tournament, or the sense of commitment to purpose that I got from spending the night in a motel. For additional inspiration, I always took "Playing Against the Rail" with me and would read it before going to sleep.
Ken
Everyone here, especially towards the end of the thread has brought up some fantastic points about playing under pressure. Many of the points you've all made have been hanging in the back of my mind for what seems like eternity, and this is the first time I've seen other people describe it just like that. It's nice to have those points validated and brought to focus.
Another major aspect of playing under pressure that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet is heart. It's how you manage your emotions and outlook on the game when losing, and the ability to play through it and come back. For me, it's the hardest part of my mental game.
Example:
You're down two $50 sets with maybe $200 in your pocket, and down 1 to 4 in the current race to 7. You're opponent is getting all the rolls, has no worries or pressure at all, and is thriving on every game won because it means more money in his pocket, and no matter what happens he's not losing money. Even if you happen to come back and win this set, you haven't won anything and are still down $50, plus you have the pressure of losing all $200.
In essence, what that situation does to me is it makes me feel that every shot is pointless and more difficult because even if I make it, and even if I get out, it doesn't change the situation at all, win me any money, or affect my opponent's roles and confidence. Basically, the motivation and fun are replaced by stress because you have no opportunity to win anything until you get even, and you feel like even if you play your best pool it's hard to win because your opponent is already way out in front, getting the rolls and has no pressure. This really stresses the points above about being able to play in the moment, and keeping the game fun. Most people (including me alot of the time), when faced with this situation either give up because they can't handle the stress, or let the stress take them over. I have alot of respect for people who can get out of that quicksand situation. It's one thing to be able to play under pressure when you have the chance to win money if you win and lose money if you lose, but completely different when if you win you're still losing money and if you lose you're just losing more money.
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SixSence said:
Look at it this way. Your next shot is simply the beginning of a comeback. Many a match has been won by a player who started out behind but refused to give in. The one thing that you simply cannot do when your're competing is to mentally throw in the towel. Everyone can tell when a player has just broken down, and that follows into other matches both in the opponent's mind and in yours. Make up your mind that no matter what happens, if you're going to go down it will be swinging and shooting!
BTW, in the situation you described, if I came back and won that set and I still liked the game, I would immediately ask to raise the bet. You already have designated $200 as your play money and the worst that could happen is that you lose the next set and end the session stuck $150 (not $200).
On the other hand, there are two upsides. If you win the next set you will be up with the momentum swinging in your favor. Now your opponent's the one who's chasing after his cash. The second is that even if your opponent doesn't take the bet, you have still sent a psychological message that you are confident and expect to win. In fact, if he doesn't take the bet it may be a signal that he's not liking the game as much as before. If he doesn't know your game well, it may even enter into the back of his head that you've been stalling and want to raise the bet because you know you can win. Trust me, that adds a little bit of pressure on him. Once again, it's a small momentum shift in your favor.
P.S.--Make sure that you are not the victim of a stall yourself before looking to raise the bet, but once again, you would only have $150 to put in action anyhow, so you at least know that if you get heisted it won't be for much.
Bottom line: Never give in! Never!
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Very good points. I'd like to clarify that I'm a much better tournament player than gambler, because of the very mindset I have in the situation I described. In a tournament, if I'm down, it gives me even more motivation because if I win that one set I win the match and that's final. It's easy to switch momentum in a tournament, and winning that one set is very important. Gambling, like the situation I described, is completely different because you're playing an indefinite number of sets until someone is out of cash or quits, so if I'm down, it feels like winning one set won't make much of a difference if I'm down three, and it's already more difficult when your down, and there's the pressure of losing all your money and leaving you broke. I do need to work on my mindset so it's the way you described, but it's not easy to keep the game fun and avoid the stress.
When I get nervous- for w/e reason it may be- I step back, turn away from the table, put the weapon of choice for the night down for a second, and close the eyes for a second. I usually think about something that makes me happy in order to relax a little bit, like girlfriend or current event that happened. I might crack a joke about something- but NEVER anything negative, and never anything about my game being off, or other related subject. Then I take the deep breath, pick up my cue, chalk it, turn around and look at the table for the first time since I turned away, reassess the situation, and play on.
Hope you can find something that works for you.
Hope you can find something that works for you.
seanjonsean said:
First thing to do when ever you are afraid in any situation, or of anything is to face and understand what you are really afraid of.
This seems like a small thing, however, it really is not. Do you really know what you are afraid of ? If you are not certain, the second step to correcting your problem is find out what you are afraid of.
You have already taken the first step by asking for help.
The third and final step, is Practice, Practice, Practice. The best defense against fear is being able to allow your training to take control when facing your fears. This can only happen through practice, because fear is a great thing, it keeps you awake, it keeps you alert, and it will keep you focused when managed correctly.
Good luck, and have a great night!!!!!!
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well guys thanxz for all the input, i hope i can remember a little bit of evrything sed on here ,one post sed find out what im afraid of hmm? ill keep that in mind, another sed play the table ,all great tips . tonight i play apa 8 ball wish me luck and thurs ill post on how it went ...
seanjonsean said:
You know what is most interesting about this (that I did not see anyone comment on) is that....for me at least.....I enjoy playing most in the tournaments that make me nervous......
Those are the tournaments I look for....The day I stop getting a little nervous about playing in big events is the day I quit playing pool.
Really...the only reason I play in weekly events is for a little extra cash....and mainly practice to get ready for the big events
I look forward to my next chance to get nervous....
ok im back ,well i dont kno what to say , i dont want to make excuses for my loss but this is how it went ,in the apa ranking im a 3 i played against another three so it was whoever won 2 games first , i lost the lag by a hair so she broke and was a weak break and left a huge cluster i looked at the damage and started shaking ,then i remembered someone saying take a deep breath and slowly exhale that worked great !,butterflies went away had the 8 then i choked she won that one. 2nd game same thing but worse ,weak break ,big cluster in the middle and one in left and one in right ,i never could break my balls out she had a long bank on the 8 and she won game over .i planned on evrything for nerves but never planned on that and i thought we were playing on big tables not on bar box,but i wasnt as nervous as i thought i was thinking of a few things u guys sed and i did fine in the nerve department.im happy i lost this was a good test the breathing was my fav tip and i was thingking of others things so a little of evrything u guys sed helped thankxz a million ! i cannot wait till next wed.im gonna practice all week on clusters lol!
hey sean, so yr not scared anymore? When 'nervous' just be nervous. Encounter it, don't suppress it and you'll go through it. In fact get very nervous cause you can't stay nervous forever. It'll go.
Anyway clusters, you have to break out when youre potting your ball in, the cue ball slams into the cluster. So you have to know spin. But then you have to read the table cause if theyve got clustered balls in there too with yours and you miss the pot youve just lost the game by opening up the game for them. But if youre confident of your pot and youve got yr other balls in then or theyve got balls in tough spots, yeah slam those f**kers out.
I can't see how its a problem being nervous. Just a problem if you don't wanna be nervous cause the wind rustling the leaves will pass if you let it....
Those nerves can turn into a killer instinct later on, y'know
Then theyll be getting nervous of you, lol
Thats my two cents..
Anyway clusters, you have to break out when youre potting your ball in, the cue ball slams into the cluster. So you have to know spin. But then you have to read the table cause if theyve got clustered balls in there too with yours and you miss the pot youve just lost the game by opening up the game for them. But if youre confident of your pot and youve got yr other balls in then or theyve got balls in tough spots, yeah slam those f**kers out.
I can't see how its a problem being nervous. Just a problem if you don't wanna be nervous cause the wind rustling the leaves will pass if you let it....
Those nerves can turn into a killer instinct later on, y'know
Then theyll be getting nervous of you, lol
Thats my two cents..
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thanxz black dragon ,that was my mistake i didnt pot my ball and broke out the dang cluster and she wooped me ,my aim was a hair off i didnt really miss any shots but i think it just wasnt my night but it gives me a rush wen i am nervous but id like to be able to control that rush u kno what i mean?. are there any good cluster drills??
I never do any drills. I just play. I think the rush controls you at the moment. Just go with it. Its your overall game that wins matches not any specific thing so just play...
Its your overall game that wins matches not any specific thing so just play...
I went through this off and on for a couple of years and finally solved it in 2006 when I asked Phil Capelle this exact question.
He suggested that I focus on my pre-shot routine. Once I figured out in my practice sessions what my entire shot routine consists of, I started to focus on it during my tournaments and I stopped being nervous almost immediately.
Basically, focus COMPLETELY on your shot routine - then there wont be time for chatter/thinking in your brain and it stops you from being nervous. As lewdo26 says, focus on the process of playing pool.
My shot routine starts from the moment I am making my decision while looking at the current shot, to when the ball falls in the pocket. I'd like to point out that at the same time I began focusing on my shot routine, I started to incorporate more consistently the three pauses help I received from RandyG.
Good luck,
Melinda
He suggested that I focus on my pre-shot routine. Once I figured out in my practice sessions what my entire shot routine consists of, I started to focus on it during my tournaments and I stopped being nervous almost immediately.
Basically, focus COMPLETELY on your shot routine - then there wont be time for chatter/thinking in your brain and it stops you from being nervous. As lewdo26 says, focus on the process of playing pool.
My shot routine starts from the moment I am making my decision while looking at the current shot, to when the ball falls in the pocket. I'd like to point out that at the same time I began focusing on my shot routine, I started to incorporate more consistently the three pauses help I received from RandyG.
Good luck,
Melinda
when your nervous you want to throw up or you have cramps.my routine is just to s.h.i.t. my pants and throw up all over myself.it works for me and its not bad for picking up the ladies lol
Thanks for the reference, Melinda. I haven't been on the forum a while and I didn't realize my post was being bandied about...lol.Melinda said:
Most tips for dealing with nervousness are going to be gimmicky or simplistic (breathing, daydream, etc.) , I hope I don't offend anyone.
The fact is that we get nervous because we're focusing on results, and how those results look to others. I think it's important to firmly establish, in great detail, what is it that makes you nervous before we look for solutions.
Why do you play the game?
What makes you feel fulfilled when playing pool?
Can failure lead to a fulfilling (in keeping with the above questions) experience in the long run?
When things go wrong, what thoughts/feelings come to your mind? Are you embarassed? Angry? Why?
When you get nervous, are you thinking of many things at once? Conversely, when you are calm, what are you thinking of?
When you **** up, do you learn from it?
Further, when you get embarassed or angry, how do those feelings interact (or are they interacting at all) with the feelings which arise from the above highlighted question?
The best answers IMO so far on this thread have to do with welcoming pressure. Like Bert says, it's not enough to overcome pressure, you have to enjoy it. If you don't enjoy it, what would be your answer to question #1???
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One thing I always remember, very simple, but very true!
Your playing the table, not your opponent
Your opponent has nothing to do with wether you win or loose, it doesn't matter who your playing. When it's your shot, your playing against yourself. Your ability to play what's on the table, it doesn't matter that it's what your opponent left for you, that was their shot.......now it's your shot.....to play the table!
Your playing the table, not your opponent
Your opponent has nothing to do with wether you win or loose, it doesn't matter who your playing. When it's your shot, your playing against yourself. Your ability to play what's on the table, it doesn't matter that it's what your opponent left for you, that was their shot.......now it's your shot.....to play the table!
I hear a lot of people suggesting to "loosen up", but in reality, when you get shaky, you cannot do this. You have to have a tight ball-maker stroke to get you through this. Work on your breathing to keep from getting the shakes and to get rid of them relatively fast, but they will still come around here and there for a few balls.
Yeah, relaxation is the key. I've suffered thru the same kind of thing and have implemented several strategies to get over it.
First of all, I leave for the tournaments or league matches in plenty of time. Driving thru a river of old fogies immediately puts my nerves on edge. Now, I just cruise along listening to relaxing music. Right now I've been playing Ella and Louie. Oh, and I practice deep diaphamatic breathing as I drive along. You can learn this technique from a yoga book or website.
When I get to the tournament, I find a place to sit, continue to stay relaxed and breathe deeply. I used to sit with my arms folded tightly. Mistake! I don't do that any more. I try to relax all my muscles.
For me, if I start off loose and relaxed, I'll stay that way for the entire event.
First of all, I leave for the tournaments or league matches in plenty of time. Driving thru a river of old fogies immediately puts my nerves on edge. Now, I just cruise along listening to relaxing music. Right now I've been playing Ella and Louie. Oh, and I practice deep diaphamatic breathing as I drive along. You can learn this technique from a yoga book or website.
When I get to the tournament, I find a place to sit, continue to stay relaxed and breathe deeply. I used to sit with my arms folded tightly. Mistake! I don't do that any more. I try to relax all my muscles.
For me, if I start off loose and relaxed, I'll stay that way for the entire event.