Preparing for a Tournament

[NewGuy]

On the weekend of March 4th I will be playing in an APA Regional 8-Ball Tournament. For those not familiar with the APA Regional Tournaments, it is a singles event with the winner of each bracket going on to the national tournament in Vegas. I'll be playing in the SL4/SL5 bracket.

Last year, I went to the tournament as a brand new SL5 and I did very well. I made it all the way to the semi-finals and only lost to the same guy twice. This year I feel that I have a very good chance of winning it all. My game has improved tremendously over the past year and I feel confident.

My question is, what should I do to prepare for this tournament? I've already talked to my instructor about going over 8-ball strategy the next two lessons and I plan on practicing as much as I can between now and then. How should I prepare myself mentally however? Lately, I've been losing to players that I shouldn't be losing to. I think it's because I've been a little too over confident during the matches. I don't want to make this same mistake at the Tournament. Any suggestions?

 

[Heckler]

Just relax, know you end goal and focus on one game at a time.

You can even take it down more than that just remember there is nothing more important than the shot a hand, no matter how simple.

My advice, prepare yourself mentally now for atmosphere, the equipment and what you want to achieve.

 

[scottycoyote]

the mental edge has been talked about quite a bit on here, you might wanna do a search. The book "pleasures of small motions" is a good mental pool book. Basically the advice is to not get caught up in the winning and losing, come to pool with the idea of you are doing this for fun, enjoy it, let your game unfold and just be in the expereince.
When im at my best im not breaking and looking at the table and thinking "man i have to win this or I really want this guys money".........im looking at the table like its a big puzzle and thinking.....how can i run this table out, woudlnt that be fun? Afterwards im not thinking "haha i beat that guy" or "how did i lose to that guy..im an idiot".........im thinking stuff like "wow that was a nice runout, i love how i worked around that 5-6 tie up" or "tough roll on the 6ball, i will have to remember to leave myself more angle next time on a shot like that". If its all winning and losing in your mind......then youre either always a winner or a loser. Just be a pool player.

 

[pooltchr]

If its all winning and losing in your mind......then youre either always a winner or a loser. Just be a pool player.

Scott...I like that! Can I borrow it?
Steve

 

[scottycoyote]

of course steve help yourself........i have these idiot savant moments where good things come out but i dont know where they came from lol.

hey im really looking forward to school this year.......i have 2 friends who want the advanced and im down for the expert.......any idea when randy's coming for all this in charlotte?

 

[ARM9BALLER]

On the weekend of March 4th I will be playing in an APA Regional 8-Ball Tournament. For those not familiar with the APA Regional Tournaments, it is a singles event with the winner of each bracket going on to the national tournament in Vegas. I'll be playing in the SL4/SL5 bracket.

Last year, I went to the tournament as a brand new SL5 and I did very well. I made it all the way to the semi-finals and only lost to the same guy twice. This year I feel that I have a very good chance of winning it all. My game has improved tremendously over the past year and I feel confident.

My question is, what should I do to prepare for this tournament? I've already talked to my instructor about going over 8-ball strategy the next two lessons and I plan on practicing as much as I can between now and then. How should I prepare myself mentally however? Lately, I've been losing to players that I shouldn't be losing to. I think it's because I've been a little too over confident during the matches. I don't want to make this same mistake at the Tournament. Any suggestions?

Just wondering how come you are still an SL5 after a year of tremendous improvement? I don't mean anything by this statement. I just want to know how much you have improved and in what area.

 

[frankncali]

Just wondering how come you are still an SL5 after a year of tremendous improvement? I don't mean anything by this statement. I just want to know how much you have improved and in what area.

That was my thought as well but he had just went to the 5 level one year ago. So depending on how much playing he does he could have gotten better.
I wonder if he is mistaking getting better with "tremendous imrovement".

Ask yourself why you are losing to these other players you mention. Could it be that you are now trying to run every rack or are playing to aggressive due to being overconfident. Remember that the main objective
in any match(especially APA) is to win and not to runout or shoot pretty shots. I have seen alot of games lost due to someone overestimating
their ability and not making the other guy work hard.

Find a top player(apa guy) in your area and ask him to play some. Maybe you pick up the games or table time. He should be able to help you with your game thoughts and playing the tougher competition will help you as well.
What area are you located in? (nevermind I saw the NJ location now) Sorry I dont know anyone to help you in NJ.
Jude from here is in NY. Perhaps he knows a player down your way.

 

[NewGuy]

Just wondering how come you are still an SL5 after a year of tremendous improvement? I don't mean anything by this statement. I just want to know how much you have improved and in what area.

That was my thought as well but he had just went to the 5 level one year ago. So depending on how much playing he does he could have gotten better.
I wonder if he is mistaking getting better with "tremendous imrovement".

A very good question. Around September I started taking lessons and my game took a few steps back. I had to get used to a new bridge and stance as well as incorporate all the other new stuff I was learning. Now that I'm finally comfortable with my bridge and stance, I have seen a 'tremendous improvenent' in my game. Where as before I was very inconsistent, I can now actually break and run. Maybe it is 'just getting better', but I think my game has come a long way since last year.

Ask yourself why you are losing to these other players you mention. Could it be that you are now trying to run every rack or are playing to aggressive due to being overconfident. Remember that the main objective
in any match(especially APA) is to win and not to runout or shoot pretty shots. I have seen alot of games lost due to someone overestimating
their ability and not making the other guy work hard.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Since my ability has improved lately, I think I am being too aggressive. I think I need to get back to basics and start playing 'smart'.

Find a top player(apa guy) in your area and ask him to play some. Maybe you pick up the games or table time. He should be able to help you with your game thoughts and playing the tougher competition will help you as well.
What area are you located in? (nevermind I saw the NJ location now) Sorry I dont know anyone to help you in NJ.
Jude from here is in NY. Perhaps he knows a player down your way.

Actually, Jude is on my Wednesday team. I'm going to ask him to play a few racks this and next Wednesday.

 

[frankncali]

A very good question. Around September I started taking lessons and my game took a few steps back. I had to get used to a new bridge and stance as well as incorporate all the other new stuff I was learning. Now that I'm finally comfortable with my bridge and stance, I have seen a 'tremendous improvenent' in my game. Where as before I was very inconsistent, I can now actually break and run. Maybe it is 'just getting better', but I think my game has come a long way since last year.


I think you hit the nail on the head. Since my ability has improved lately, I think I am being too aggressive. I think I need to get back to basics and start playing 'smart'.


Actually, Jude is on my Wednesday team. I'm going to ask him to play a few racks this and next Wednesday.

Goodluck
Jude should be able to help you out. I see alot of people in league pool almost make their opponent win. Smart is the answer. That and never take even the easiest of outs lightly. Think them out and make it happen.

I had a SL 5 last week call for a timeout. He had a tough shot and I asked him how many times out of ten he would me make it. He said maybe
4 or 5. I then reminded him that he was playing a SL 3 and that he should make them take a tough shot. Sometimes theres no other options but in this case he could leave a shot that the SL3 might make 2 of ten and get shape.
Regionals can be tough so make sure you are rested and ready

 

[dogginda9]

Do yourself a big favor and get there early and get acclimated to the surroundings. Those APA regionals can be a bit overwhelming for some players. It's nice to get comfortable in the room and with the equipment before you have to start worrying about playing the matches themselves. Tell yourself to relax and just play pool. It's not the end of the world i you don't win so try to have some fun while your there. This kind of a mindset has helped me in the past to realize that pool is supposed to be fun as well as competitive. You'll be pleasantly suprised how much better you'll play when you're having a little fun too. Good luck and hope to see you in Vegas.