Tournament prep advice

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Nab0610

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Hey guys just curious as to how you get yourselves in the right mindset and in the right head space etc for when you play a tournament

I play my regular league night and most nights my game is the same some days its a little better and some days its a little worse. Usually I can figure things out and play well if I'm off

What i've really been trying to figure out lately is when I'm not shooting well how do I flip the switch so my focus has been on relaying what I'm feeling when I'm shooting at those times to my brain thinking about my shot stroke stance etc...

I'm just curious though before a big event what do you guys do to ensure you're at your best and how do you handle the time when you're sitting waiting to play. Thanks!
 
If your stroke, stance etc...etc is good and you got it where it needs to be .....well:

CONFIDENCE and CONCENTRATION are the two things you need for game time.

Jeff
 
Best advice I can give you is to practice the week before the event on a table similar in speed and pocket size to the venue. Use ONLY the cue you will play with at the event for a full week prior. Next, practice JUST focusing on the shot at hand, nothing else. Get enough rest the week prior and get to the venue without rushing. Then, it is all about trusting yourself, not judging yourself, and just taking the tournament ONE shot at a time until it is all over! Eat a good healthy meal about 2 hours prior to the event start time. Don't eat heavy or drink alcohol while waiting to play matches, carry some healthy snack packs in your case to keep you concentration levels JUST at the right point, nothing messy to get all over your hands or equipment- no chocolate or sticky chewy bars!
Get you equipment ready for the event - tips, shafts, etc., and carry what you need to KEEP that equipment just the way you like it throughout the tournament. Get so ready with ALL the little details that the ONLY thing you have on your mind during the tournament is your present shot/situation! Evaluate everything AFTER each day has finished and make the adjustment for the next day.
 
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mikemosconi said:
... practice JUST focusing on the shot at hand, nothing else.
...just taking the tournament ONE shot at a time until it is all over!
...keep you concentration levels JUST at the right point
...the ONLY thing you have on your mind during the tournament is your present shot/situation!
Click to expand...
I think you're focused on the right thing.

Reminds me of the central lesson I got from Pleasures of Small Motions: enjoy the process - let winning take care of itself. When I remember that, especially the enjoying part, my performance improves.

pj <- forgetful
chgo
 
Nab0610 said:
Hey guys just curious as to how you get yourselves in the right mindset and in the right head space etc for when you play a tournament

I play my regular league night and most nights my game is the same some days its a little better and some days its a little worse. Usually I can figure things out and play well if I'm off

What i've really been trying to figure out lately is when I'm not shooting well how do I flip the switch so my focus has been on relaying what I'm feeling when I'm shooting at those times to my brain thinking about my shot stroke stance etc...

I'm just curious though before a big event what do you guys do to ensure you're at your best and how do you handle the time when you're sitting waiting to play. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Develop an aiming system. Its the only thing you can rely on when things go awry.
 
Concentration. Shoot 10 spot shots in a row from behind the headstring, from various positions. If during your shots, you miss even one, start over, until all 10 are made. Watch your opponent shoot, figure out when they may get into trouble, and what position they my leave you in and how to get out of it. Most important: When its your turn to shoot, make the most of it, even if, its only one shot. 2 cents worth.
 
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