Pressure Building?
- Thread starter ldl01031
- Start date
Only if you let it. A good psr minimizes it.
I used to play a game called 1 and 5 or some know it as Chicago.
15 ball rotation and whoever makes the 1 is partners with the person making the 5.
Four player game.
We played that if you ran out from the 1 you got paid double from the other 3and yes the times I did run out from the 1 the pressure did increase a bit, but not enough where I would be over whelmed and dog it.
15 ball rotation and whoever makes the 1 is partners with the person making the 5.
Four player game.
We played that if you ran out from the 1 you got paid double from the other 3and yes the times I did run out from the 1 the pressure did increase a bit, but not enough where I would be over whelmed and dog it.
DeeDeeCues
Well-known member
I'm replying to your post because it brings up something I worked on for a long time and something that I believe is a huge difference between elite competitors and the rest of the population.
Too many people think of pressure as a negative. I don't think it is a good habit to look at pressure situations as a negative. Work on seeing pressure situations as a positive, as a point where you have the opportunity to really showcase your abilities. React to the energy that you feel and use it to your advantage. Let the pressure focus you, concentrate on the good outcome and ignore the bad. Or accept that the bad outcome is likely going to happen and forget it.
I think if you look at many sports legends, Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Jordan, Bird, Montana, Serena, etc., they all learned how to let that pressure hone their skills.
Pressure is natural and universal. How you deal with that pressure is up to you and your mental practice under pressure situations.
middleofnowhere
Registered
I used to know a closing pitcher. I asked him how he could handle the pressure of a game depending on him. He didn't see it that way, he couldn't wait to get in the game and do his thing. I honestly don't think he felt pressure at all.
I guess pressure in reality is self-imposed, maybe as a result of lack of confidence. Probably a reality check is what needs to be taken most of the time especially in something like a pool game. This is not NASCAR racing you're not going to die if you have a failure. It's just a game of pool.
I guess pressure in reality is self-imposed, maybe as a result of lack of confidence. Probably a reality check is what needs to be taken most of the time especially in something like a pool game. This is not NASCAR racing you're not going to die if you have a failure. It's just a game of pool.
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boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
Once in a while, and I used to a lot. Anymore I just figure what the hell I might as well make the balls as the other guy. The pressure is limited greatly if you get a good 2 way game going on. If you miss they got nothing or low percentage anyway. But if I feel that feel and know I'm shooting well it's more fun than pressure. Just pocket balls and get shape for 3 balls ahead and don't worry about it. It's sometimes easier said than done, but it's a skill that develops with practice, like most pool stuff.
On the two way thing, be realistic with yourself, if you're not gonna make it, see if you can play a safety where you might have a chance at making it, but they have no shot if you don't. Try to hide the cue ball behind the next higher number in rotation if possible (or where you will have a shot on it). That way if it does drop you have a shot.
I'm kind of at the point where I either get out or each shot becomes progressively harder. I've been working on tightening up and playing more proper/natural routes and that has helped a ton with the problem.
I need this advice as much as anyone, but a lot of it boils down to hitting more balls.
On the two way thing, be realistic with yourself, if you're not gonna make it, see if you can play a safety where you might have a chance at making it, but they have no shot if you don't. Try to hide the cue ball behind the next higher number in rotation if possible (or where you will have a shot on it). That way if it does drop you have a shot.
I'm kind of at the point where I either get out or each shot becomes progressively harder. I've been working on tightening up and playing more proper/natural routes and that has helped a ton with the problem.
I need this advice as much as anyone, but a lot of it boils down to hitting more balls.
Agree with this- it is not the situation, it is your mind's reaction to the situation. Successful greats in sports just think about letting their body do what it is trained to do, no matter what the situation. The key is allowing your body to perform by getting your mind out of the way!
In pool, it is a one shot at a time mentality, with the pre shot routine forming the basis for performing the best stroke possible on each shot- nothing more or less going on in your head until each shot is completed. All of this is built upon gaining confidence that you can perform, confidence quiets the mind.
Many will say: " but how do I become confident if I am not allowing myself to perform under pressure". Well, you build on small success and strengthen your mind so that you become a person who believes in themselves and plays " within yourself". You change your overall life mindset to the "glass half full" from the "glass half empty" mentality.
This is how sports can "build character" - those who already approach life in a positive manner have the early edge on those who fear the unknown - this also manifests itself when it comes to pressure performance in sports.
Conquering fears requires one to be brutally honest with themselves and then resolve to incorporate changes in approach to situations- in pool, as mentioned, a good, consistent PSR, will certainly help one on the way to becoming " bullet proof".
Actually, I find pressure seems to mount more when I'm not at the table. Watching my opponent run racks and inch closer to the finish line is way worse for me than working through my pattern.
As a general statement just the opposite happens after running out a lot of racks. Less clutter equals easier position play with every shot and the run gets easier the further it goes.
When you think about it, it doesn't make sense for pressure to build as the run gets easier. Starting a run, would you rather three balls on the table or nine? Instead of thinking of a shot as the fifth shot in a nine ball run think of it as the new first shot in a four ball run.
We can make our minds work with us instead of against us, just a matter of perspective. When I am playing well I consider each inning one action at the table, the shots flow together. The deeper into the action the easier it gets.
Hu