what frame of mind do you adopt for tourneys?

Jimbojim

Jimbojim

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Title says it all,

Do you go in casual and act like you "don't care'" as if you are just going to practice so you don't get to feel pressure of the event or do you completely immerse your mind in pool for the whole day/week prior to the tournament so you feel and in "pool mode" ?

Personally I like to be focused on the game, watch some matches on youtube, read about pool to get ready so it gets to a point where I don't let "Life" interfere for the moment that I need to perform. Some of my friends tell me that I put too much pressure on my shoulders and I'm too serious about it.

I'll admit sometimes it makes me play bad because I'm trying to play too perfect instead of just playing and trusting myself but all the tournaments that I have won were in "pool mode" and definately not in casual mode.

What is your thing?
 
Definitely "pool mode"

I'm definitely on the "pool mode" end of the spectrum. I want to perform well and I want to win, and I see no point in pretending otherwise. The struggle, for me, is to find the proper balance that results in "relaxed concentration", as I have been known to put too much pressure on myself as well.

I'm in a tournament this weekend (the first since returning to the game), and I've practiced and prepared as well as I can. But at the end of the day all I can do is try my best and let the results take care of themselves. One day, perhaps, I'll be fully able to apply the advice a player gave me long ago: "The secret is to try without trying."
 
FEAR!!! total and complete FEAR!!!.... errr wait... What level tournament?? Local level.... Disdain..... Regional level..... Confidence... Professional level... FEAR!!!! total and complete FEAR!!!.... Am not in any way afraid of the players I just really don't want to show up and embarrass myself in front of the group that I am working hard to become peers with....

I think it is very much akin to stage fright.... And I do not adopt it... It adopts me... I fight it trying to maintain a quiet mind... But when it breaks thru it HOWLS and all of the quiet goes away..... I think eventually I will win but there are few pro level tournaments in my area and the economy keeps me from traveling so while I should be jumping in with both feet... I get to dip a toe every now and then to test the water......
 
I go in with the frame of mind that I am going to crush my opponents like little bugs. If they play like Efren, I am going to play the 7 ball above Efren.

I come out of tournaments thinking "wtf just happened? The dude played the 5 ball above Efren"
 
I despise all of you...I am better than all of you.. I'm going to beat you each like a drum .. and there is nothing any of you can do about it.
 
When I get called for my match it's "game on". But I try to unwind it and relax, make sure I eat, and chat with other players and friends during those sometimes enormous lulls between matches. Trying to maintain that focus all day and night just ends up costing me later on in the day - sometimes there just isn't any gas in the tank if I've tried to keep the game face going all day long.
 
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Sorry Jimbo... I'll try and give you a truthful answer tomorrow... I went the humor route earlier but that doesn't give you or the topic the respect it deserves.... I will say that Softshot's answer is a very common approach to preparation for battle... I have had this actual discussion with several people over the years and you would be amazed at how many people will focus on either joy or hate... Both are very strong emotions and can keep you in the moment.....
 
I can't be flat-footed or wired

For myself, I can't be flat-footed or wired competing. If I'm too relaxed I'm going to play like I don't care. Jacked full of adrenalin I'm going to choke. After many years of competition I know where I need to be at to compete and I know how to adjust my "thermostat" to that level.

I adopt the frame of mind that 90-95% of my best performance possible is the baseline. It is the baseline I am shooting for in any more important event, and it is the baseline anyone else has to surpass to beat me. I find that using other people as a baseline is unrealistic for me. Too easy to over or underestimate their performance on a given day.

I prefer twenty to thirty minutes to get ready to compete. Until then I can and should be as relaxed as possible. Not revving my engine when I'm sitting still is a big part of my game day. Rest when I can, between matches, in the chair during a match. I don't relive the last match and I don't care who I'm playing against next until a few minutes before play.

The person I am playing is only an obstacle in my way. During competition it shouldn't matter if they are my best friend or worst enemy, they are just something between me and my goal. The idea is to get past them as quickly and efficiently as possible. Emotion directed at the person I am playing is a distraction for me, something to be avoided. In competition I am only focused on getting to the next stage or scoring the win.

Ultimately you have to find what works for you but Elvis's motto wasn't the worst by far, "taking care of business". Everything is just part of a process until the last ball falls.

Hu
 
I temper my anger with the fact that I KNOW I have more practice hours this week.. than the rest of the field has this year...
 
My only mindset is to play mistake-free pool. If I choose the right shot each time and limit my execution errors, I figure the outcome will take care of itself. I give little thought to who my opponents are, and I view sideline antics as a sign of weakness, so they don't bother me in the slightest. All you can do is play your game, plant your ass in the chair and shut your mouth like a gentleman when your opp. is at the table, and try to make the most of the opportunities you are presented with.

Aaron
 
thanks for the insights!

I have a tournament tomorrow and one class higher than mine at that. I used to go those thinking I'm gonna get experience but I know I can beat some of them and my best finish in that class is 5-6th so I'm going there with the attitude that I'll do everything to win even if I'm the heavy underdog here. I was just debating what attitude I should portray. I usually play my best while fast and loose but I do take the time to assess the situation when I'm standing up.

I guess I'll just go in "ready to play" but I'll be relaxed and chat with friends between matches but when they call my name, I will shut out everything else but the game.

I'm the type of player that will do his best to provide the best rack possible but don't always get it from opponents. It pisses me off sometimes that I break and the 1-ball stays on the spot after I have ran a rack or 2 just because he/she is mad because I'm taking the lead/making a come back.

I'm still interested in everybody's opinion:)
 
Jimbojim said:
I'm the type of player that will do his best to provide the best rack possible but don't always get it from opponents. It pisses me off sometimes that I break and the 1-ball stays on the spot after I have ran a rack or 2 just because he/she is mad because I'm taking the lead/making a come back.

I'm still interested in everybody's opinion:)
Click to expand...

Oh, I know what you mean!! Don't you hate that?!! Thankfully, the solution is simple... consistently check the racks or better still, insist on racking your own or having a ref rack the balls if you suspect that your opponent is engaging in rack skullduggery. ;)
 
I think a lot of it depends on the type of tournaments you are able to play in. For me, I really only get to play in short race, handicapped, nine-ball tournaments. If your goal is to go into these and come out as the winner everytime I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment. In this format I have played a great set and managed to lose and also I have played poorly and manged to win. I don't really get any satisfaction out of playing poorly and winning my match because I got all the rolls. At the same time I don't get upset when my opponent gets all the rolls and beats me. That's just a part of the game.

So, my goal is always to try and play my absolute best pool and let the wins and losses take care of themselves. Don't misunderstand me though - my goal is ALWAYS to win. I do want to win. You just have to be realistic about your expectations.
 
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BasementDweller said:
I think a lot of it depends on the type of tournaments you are able to play in. For me, I really only get to play in short race, handicapped, nine-ball tournaments. If your goal is to go into these and come out as the winner everytime I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment. In this format I have played a great set and managed to lose and also I have played poorly and manged to win. I don't really get any satisfaction out of playing poorly and winning my match because I got all the rolls. At the same time I don't get upset when my opponent gets all the rolls and beats me. That's just a part of the game.

So, my goal is always to try and play my absolute best pool and let the wins and losses take care of themselves. Don't misunderstand me though - my goal is ALWAYS to win. I do want to win. You just have to be realistic about you expectations.
Click to expand...

Its gonna be even matches, no handicaps. Races to 9 winner side, race to 7 loser side. Most of them are just better than me if we go along the statistics but I have won against them sometimes too. I lose more often than I win though...
 
this I do have the cure for

Jimbojim said:
thanks for the insights!

I have a tournament tomorrow and one class higher than mine at that. I used to go those thinking I'm gonna get experience but I know I can beat some of them and my best finish in that class is 5-6th so I'm going there with the attitude that I'll do everything to win even if I'm the heavy underdog here. I was just debating what attitude I should portray. I usually play my best while fast and loose but I do take the time to assess the situation when I'm standing up.

I guess I'll just go in "ready to play" but I'll be relaxed and chat with friends between matches but when they call my name, I will shut out everything else but the game.

I'm the type of player that will do his best to provide the best rack possible but don't always get it from opponents. It pisses me off sometimes that I break and the 1-ball stays on the spot after I have ran a rack or 2 just because he/she is mad because I'm taking the lead/making a come back.

I'm still interested in everybody's opinion:)
Click to expand...


Too late for this tournament but get Joe Tucker's racking DVD's and study them. It will be some of the best money you ever spent. If the one ball is completely loose make them rerack. If there are gaps in the rack or it is tilted or out of position exploit that. If you can't take advantage of the rack, make them move the rack where it belongs. The main thing is to consider studying the rack just part of taking care of business. Don't make it into a confrontation and let the issue take you out of your game.

A favorite move of mine is to study my opponent's first rack in a set for a minute or two if it isn't absolutely perfect. They almost invariably ask if there is a problem. "No just looking for something to exploit." The sloppy rackers and game players get very very careful after that. :thumbup:

I still take a quick look at every rack regardless of if someone is giving me a good rack or not. One is it helps keep temptation away from the marginal people if they are trailing later; two, if the good rackers make a mistake I'm going to try to exploit it. My opening statement wasn't BS. Thanks Joe! Another thing, if it is known you check every rack by every player then rackers are less likely to take it personal.

Quick tip if you don't have Joe's DVD's, break into the stronger side of the rack with fewer or smaller gaps as a general rule. Put the force of your break into the stronger side of the rack.

Hu
 
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