Sarah i need some help please!!!!

[goingproin07]

ok, it kinda falls under the same thread that i had in mccready's section....i am becoming a really good player, starting to shoot better and better shape (although i still have trouble REALLY controling the cue ball), but overall im getting there...when i practice, lets say for 6 hours, ill probably run the rack 5 or 6 times, and when i dont, i normally miss once at most 2ce before the rack is gone....Heres the problem....with all my practice and hard work, im seeing no improvment tournament wise....i played in a small 16 man tournament last night, and played good against the first guy i had who was rated a 10 (just local pool hall rating from 5-14; 14 being a pro like sparky ferrell). i beat the 10 no problem, and then had a 7, same as me, and choked so bad....I get so nervous in tournaments that i dont even play pool...i dont control the game, and i dont control the cue ball....it was ugly! How can i get over this? Quit being so nervous....b/c if i wanna go pro, then i have to be able to deal with pressure and really bear down... im getting so discouraged b/c i just dont understand... I play in a tournement EVERY night of the week except for thursdays, so im trying to get experience, but im always to nervous....i dont know, maybe im just not cut out for pool, but then again at the same time, ive come so far in the past 4 months. Im beating people that have been playin for 20+ years, i just gotta figure out how to pull it all together....maybe u could give me some help in the az room at the dcc?? please respond to this thread, and thanks for all ur time and help.

Justin Harris

 

[sarahrousey]

Justin,

It sounds like you are having the same problem that everyone else has run into, you need more experience. Believe me, I am just like you, I want to be good and win all the time. I learned recently that it takes time and you have to "pay your dues". If you had no problem beating the 10 it could be because there is no pressure on you to win. You are the underdog and expected to lose to the better player. So you may not get quite as nervous. The rolls are changed when you play someone that is even or lower than you. You are expected to win playing the person even if you play your best. That means you are putting extra pressure on yourself to play your best. The added pressure to play well could be making you play bad. When you are expected to win against the lesser player, you have the pressure of winning or you may have the mind-set that you are supposed to win and you don't have to play hard. This could really hurt you. The lesser player might come with an incredible out that is unexpected...then next thing you know they are way ahead and you are thinking they are having the match of their life. In reality, you are taking them for granted and not playing up to your potential.

Also, it is hard to go from practicing alone to competition. Playing against yourself you kind of know what to expect. You don't have the pressure or the unpredictability of what your opponent is going to do. Try playing practice sets with someone that plays a little better than you. If you have to play practice sets with anyone and be sure to try your hardest at all times. Picture it as a tournament. I like to keep score in practice just because I hate to see someone beat me even when it is for fun. It gives you the sense of competition even if you aren't gambling. You can also play cheap sets. You don't want to lose even if it is only $10 or $20.

Don't feel bad about these things happening. Everyone is guilty of this and everyone is out to conquer the mental side of the game. Remember, it takes time and experience. Try to treat everyone with the same level of respect. Think of how you respect someone like Sparky (who I have read your posts about and it seems you hold him in high regard) and apply that to every opponent.

Come find me at the DCC and I will try to help you out a little more and feel free to write any questions here as well.

Sarah