5 Reasons You Keep Missing in Pool
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- Everybody misses, but some of us miss more than others. In this video, I review some notes I took at a pool tournament and discuss what I think are the top reasons amateurs and pros alike miss shots they shouldn't.
If you enjoyed the video, it really helps out with the algorithm when viewers comment on and like the video. I am shooting for 10,000 subs by the end of this year, so if you are new here and enjoy these kinds of videos, consider subscribing.
Lastly, a thanks to the channel TJ Pool for putting together a nice montage of pros missing shots. It made finding examples much easier for this video. Go check out the channel here: / @tjpool - กีฬา
I toured and played professionally for over 10 years. When i first started i got nervous all the time. Then i started to tell myself whenever i had a tough shot " if i know its hard he kmows its hard" i would focus on my aiming point and draw a line on the table to my target. Then id just concentrate on my stroke following that line. Anytime it was tough id force myself to like the shot. Eventually i seemed to make the harder ones cause i knew it would make my opponent just a little more scared of my game. Eventually hitting more of these shots would get them more nervous than you and they start missing balls they shouldnt too.
A comment I saw on Fb "If the pressure is getting to you, you are probably thinking about the outcome and results. Your focus has to stay on the shot in front of you. That's all you have any control over."
Yes Staying in the moment is huge! Grounding your breathe to the present is a great way to just stay in the moment. You have to read Zen Golf. Its a great book that talks about this idea. Having a pre-shot and post-shot routine is essential.
Yes! Focus on your process or routine. You will produce the result.
That's crazy you said that. I stopped thinking about everything else and just concentrate on one shot at a time. I know I can make all kinds of shots, so instead of worrying about 5 balls ahead, I just concentrate on the one i'm on. I've started making more runs by doing this.
When i feel pressured i just stick to the basics like keep my head down following through. After i do that make a few nervous shots it open up my stroke
Yes, just concentrate on the balls, where, when and whom your playing really doesn't matter, I've finished games and forgot who I was playing (one frame in the UK league)
You've touched on virtually everything there is that makes us miss. The biggest fundamental sins I’ve seen people make are: shooting too hard, jerking their stroke, and lifting up as soon as they shoot. I have some additional thoughts based on my experience (APA):
1. Don’t worry about what your opponent does. You can’t control what he/she does. You can only control what YOU do when it’s your turn at the table. That includes not worrying about what the score of the match is. There are two people keeping track of the score (APA) and they’ll let you know when the match is over. Just focus on your own game. There have been quite a few times when I got down to take my next shot, only to be stopped by my scorekeeper and told to shake the hand of my opponent because I just won the match without even realizing it.
2. Block everything out and find your “zone” when you get up there. Do all of your thinking while you’re still standing up; that is, how you’re going to make the shot you’ve committed to and how you’re going to position the cueball for the next shot. Once you get down on your current shot, focus solely on making that ball. If you’re “over thinking” and still thinking about position on the next shot, you’re almost guaranteed to miss the current ball. A good strategy for position on your next shot is useless if you don’t make the ball you’re currently shooting.
3. Find a “rhythm” to your game. If you start making balls and capture a good “feel” for the pace of your game, stick with it, regardless of the difficulty of the shots.
4. If you miss even an easy shot, don’t get upset. Forget about it, shake it off, take a deep breath and keep focusing on the rest of your game on your next turn.
Well, that’s my two cents. I hope it helped. This is a great video I happened to stumble across, and I want to thank you for sharing it. You have a new subscriber. Cheers, and good luck!
Well said. I'm currently in a terrible slump. I just can't get back to the production of the past that I miss dearly. Lol, it's daunting and frustrating but I reckon these things happen.
I play internationaly as the captain of the scotland team and every thing u said is true but also when your on the shot think only about your stance and cue action not only will this help with taking your mind of the pressure (BTW after years i still feel the pressure alot but ive came to embrase it now im the best pressure player i know and have won many big desiders)this also helps with consistency hope i have helped
Jumping like a rabbit i call it get up to early. The other one my cousin calls it screw the pooch not hitting the cue ball correctly. The last I call it flapped your chicken wings where we pool or billards players flap our elbow. There two more but that's all the funny terms
@@edwardphillips7066 i used to (jump like a rabbit) i quickly fixed this by getting my coach to hold a cue above my head for 2 seconds after i take a shot this habbit comes back quite alot but once you fix it once you can fix it quite easily again
My advantage ? I play English pool so its a lil diff to your pool. Have a drink n walk around the table use as much time you have if you're timed. If you dont see the pot as you said at the start play a nice safety n make it as hard as you can for him
A female pool player - I think it might have been Emily Duddy - said that on the last ball in 8 ball (as an example) you should pretend in your mind that there is another ball to get position on after. This keeps you focused as if you're still playing the rack instead of feeling the mountain of pressure.
I see you raised your production value. Looks nice.
Thanks Sharivari. There were a couple of things I did this video that made a big difference but only took a few extra minutes to get done, particularly the text animations.
BROO
A shot and a beer always help me shake the nerves off lol
Tell dorothy
The best thing that helps me relax is breathing. I always tell my teammates to relax and take a deep breath in through the nose and slowly out of the mouth. This has helped me tremendously.
Another gem of a video here. A few things about dealing with high pressure situations and I played league pool for over 10 years as well as the APA when it first started for 4 years. Amazingly we went to nationals every year I played. Ok enough about my experience with high pressure shots.
1: The players who have the strongest fundamentals deal with high pressure shots better than those who don't.
2:: Accept the possibility that you might miss but realize it wouldn't be the end of the world. Every player who ever played this game for very long has missed in high pressure situations so you are not alone.
3: If you do miss, forget about it, it's over. Move on. By the way you might have missed that 8 ball and took 2nd place but I'll bet in your life you've come through many more times than you've missed.
Play the game like it's a game and like you said it's not necessarily the end of the world if you miss but also a key part in dealing with pressure is enjoy the game and the pressure wont have such a bad effect on you.
I agree. These are great tips. Tip 2 helps me the most, as well as accepting the miss and moving on. Simply more practice and one day you may not miss that shot. Having fun is another thing that helps me. Always remembering that it’s just a game and while it’s nice to win, it’s nice to lose sometimes too. It reminds you what you need to work on.
Sing a dumb song to yourself under your breath while you're lining up your shot. Your brain can handle two things at once: making the shot and something else in the background. You need to replace the background thoughts about the eyes on you with background thoughts of something else. Personally, I'd suggest a bluegrass version of Baby Got Back.
I agree, but in so many cases all it takes is missing one, ONE critical shot and it can mean the whole tournament. Watched Van Boening play chinese gal, race to 7, 9ball. She had him 6,4. She missed one shot, one easy shot and he came back and took the tournament from her. One shot!
ehh. My fundamentals are not great but I play better under pressure. I think in my mind that I WILL make the shot. This works for me many times. I am always matched with people who have 200 points more than me in Fargo. I have beat some of these people and scared many others. They get so nervous even though I'm not near their skill level. It's an advantage. If I fixed my stroke I would be a monster.
Please excuse me while I pontificate my 45 year trek .
We all miss shot for 3 reasons: Lack of skill, Lack of concentration and/or fear.
To mitigate these flaws in our game. We practice to hone our skills. We practice longer to hone our concentration. Ah but fear that thing isn't so easily defeated. But I do have some suggestions that might help.
AVOID CRUTCHES
Earl Strickland I think is a good example. All that bullshit he does... wraps and tape et cetera. The guy is a great player so why the non-sense? He is trying to distract himself so he can defeat his own fear.
Their are quite a few talkers this is a mental game to keep from getting tight... a distraction from the gravitas of the match. I was taught the concept to relieve my stress during play. It was a bad lesson to learn and finally to unlearn. It is a razors edge where you can easily let your "bad luck" turn from a smolder into a raging fire. Getting angry just makes me look and feel like a fool. I recommend avoiding anger it is just a distraction.
PRACTICE
Folks often talk of mechanics, it isn't just the mechanics it is the repetition of this dance. It is a table presence when you size the shot, chalk, step into line, get down on the shot, stroke and fire. This pre-shot regiment is important like all dances. It is about timing, precision and confidence. It can be your biggest tool to find that serenity to ward against the fear.
RECORD
Keep track of your shots. How the hell can you say that was a low percentage shot? If you don't know where you are strong or weak shooting wise. If your this guy it is about luck and not skill. For position play if you leave toward your strong shots asking corner or side is a moot point. This is where confidence is earned and games are won.
FIND: The "ZONE"
For one, ignore the past. So you just played a bad shot. Who cares? It already happened. Stressing out about it won't send you back in time to fix it. Just let it be and move on.
Really sing a song. Tell a joke but let it go. Mentally and emotionally.
Secondly, ignore the future. Yes, the future is coming up, but the future won't be very good without the present. Here's our motto: Complete focus at the table lies within presence.
Aware of the problems to come but all the focus on the now. Not the next rack, stake or prize. Where you going to eat later or if your significant other is zonking the mail person.
The present is the only thing we have control over, so it makes sense to put all effort here. Some may think that presence means focusing on just technique or the mechanics of the game. Micromanaging every little detail of your playing has no place at the table and will often lead to mistakes. Save that for practice. Play to your strengths. Avoid your weaknesses. Control your shots. Master the table to defeat your opponent. Lastly don't get burned out. Excellence is a journey not a destination so have some fun why dont ya.
I’ve never seen a longer comment
My suggestion for high pressure.
1) breathing. Before you shoot, exhale. When you’re nervous you tighten up. Exhaling loosens your muscles.
2) think the shot before you get on the table. Look at the shot, walk around if needed, think what spin if any, where’s the cue ball going to land and visualize it before you even get down. When you’re confident you know where the ball is going, you will make it.
3) stop being negative - negativity is contagious and so is self doubt.
4) play for stakes - by playing in small tournaments, it will help you learn how to be clutch. Don’t worry about winning. Worry about making each shot and focus.
5) don’t get distracted. Playing in bars is great for tuning out noise. If you can play in a bar, you can gradually tune out the noise so when you’re in a tournament, it’ll seem so quiet.
6) hold the table at bars. See how long you can hold off challengers to your reign. It gets you in the groove, improves confidence each time you win and you just relax so much more.
7) a lot of times people miss because where they think they hit isn’t where they’re hitting. Work on learning how to shoot CENTER. A lot of times people put accidental English without knowing. You have to know how to shoot with English and without it. For long shots that’s where people mess up - they accidentally put a little left or right and it throws the ball off.
8) speed - learn to shoot pocket speed. If you shoot too fast, you will jaw the pocket and it rattles. Pocket speed usually works and is more forgiving
9)rushing your shot - stop rushing your shots. Do all your thinking before you even put your hand on the table. Reset if necessary. Take the time to shoot.
10) STANDING UP too much. STAY DOWN on your shot even after you make it. Staying down will definitely improve accuracy. Standing up changes where you will hit the ball at the last second.
Like this one
@@geomossiah873 Yes. When I start feeling pressure, several slow, deep breaths, exhaling slowly brings down my stress level. That said, it doesn't completely eliminate it, but it definitely helps.
Since making this video, I have done a lot of focus on my weak mental game. A lot of the things mentioned in this comment have been worked into my game and I have seen a decent amount of improvement over the past month.
World of Pool and Billiards you’re saying my comment helped ?
I would add to breathing: Try to get a little extra air every few shots, not just waiting to the end/money ball. You see pros do this all the time in weird ways: For example, Van Boening will walk to the other side of the table to line up an apparent duck when he's looking to slow down/breathe.
Great video! You are definitely spot on with all your points on why we miss. My two cents on your points
1. Improvisation is key for pool. You sometimes cant commit to a run out 2-3 balls ahead if you get out of line, you have to evaluate and improvise and know when to play the shot or play the safe.
2. Your only as good as your B game. In a tournament you may play lights out the first two matches and have a hour and half wait. You get on the table cold and you need to rely on your fundamentals to get back into stroke and get back into your rhythm.
3. Spot on answer. Only get down on the ball when you commit to a shot. If you have any second thought you immediately stand up and start your pre-shot routine all over again from the beginning.
4. Playing under pressure and delivering is very difficult. Your answer is spot on though. Exposing yourself to more and more to high pressure helps you build tolerance to the pressure. I usually take my time to evaluate the shot and position. Then i get down on the shot. If i feel any type of hesitation or doubt immediate get up, take a Deep breath thru my nose and out my mouth slowly to help drop my heart rate (this helps me tremendously), re-evaluate the shot and position to make sure its the right option, and start my pre-shot routine again. When i get down on the ball I visualize the ball going into the pocket. In your reenactment of that shot on the 2 ball, it may have been better to go two rails instead of holding it. You’ll notice the pros like to go the extra rail if its a touchy shot for position.
5. Taking a shot for granted happens all the time and can only be avoided with a solid pre-shot routine. And sometimes i still miss so we are just human.
When i get pressured i repeat a phrase "be in the moment, not in your head" keeps my focus
I used to play snooker as a young kid and didn’t even think about pool. Now I’m old and just put a 9ft pool table in my house. My problem is trying to listen to so many people telling what to do instead of just focusing on what I know, a stick a ball a pocket. But I’m learning so much from you young guys and hopefully it’ll click soon. Thank you
Great video! In my opinion when it comes to dealing with pressure it all about staying in the moment. Pressure is you basically thinking about the consequence of you missing the ball and that takes your focus away from the shot and adds anxiety. The way I deal with this is to focus on my surrounding. smells, the texture of the cloth. Be in the moment
Great video and spot on advice. I've battled every one of these issues and this video does an excellent job of reinforcing the significance of these weaknesses which I'm sure are prevalent in most beginning and intermediate players. Thanks a lot for sharing!
The best piece of advice I ever got about high pressure situations is to find a pre shot routine and follow it step by step. For me it is:
1 find contact point on object ball
2 find line from well behind cue ball
3 cue on table behind cue ball
4 right foot under end of cue stick
5 step up and out with left foot
6 slide bridge hand into place
7 check tip placement on cue ball for desired english
8 focus eyes on contact point on object ball
9 pull back slowly
10 refocus on contact point while paused
11 release.
Sorry I know that's alot but once I started going through that check list in my head 1-11, my mind shifted from "OMG if I make this then I beat the guy no know ever beats here." to "ok right foot down, what's next? step up and out, next?". My mind then gets to practice day when I repeated those steps 1000's of times in the casual atmosphere of an empty pool hall instead of the scrutiny of a hundred or so people watching your every shot.
And once you have some success with that your confidence will skyrocket.
Lee Brett and Bert Kinister both said the same thing on how to shoot under Pressure. They said just focus on your Routine. It works well for me most of the time when I take the time to remember it. Hope this helps. Thanks for the Video. It was a good reminder.
OK - pressure situations. My Achilles heal until recently. I studied a lot about Flow state, and observed myself during league matches for about 2 years, and just couldn't beat it. My game was literally night and day between friendlies and league matches. Two things stand out as being the most important factors in the end.
1) Get a really good pre-shot routine, and follow it every single shot. Now you dont have to 'trust yourself' to make the shots, you only have to depend on your routine. It triggers your brain to go into this automatic mode that you have done millions of times, and it subconsciously makes you more confident (helping that positive feedback loop leading to a Flow State). Search neuroscience of Flow to learn how your brain works, and you can hack it to work for you instead of against you. Pre-shot routine is the answer in the end though.
2) I put on some blue tooth headphones and get into my own little zone with songs that are life long favorites. It helps add to your routines and makes me feel very comfortable - a place I've been thousands of times instead of the unfamiliar high pressure moment that I usually think about. Familiarity > confidence > success > more confidence. Ialso get nervous from other people, and the higher the pressure, the more it affects my thoughts. Basically I want no thoughts except pool. You need to enter the zone. Comments, reactions, and even compliments affect me and make me think something in reaction. I can't help that, and it's worse when nervous. When I hear a song I've grown up with, it drowns everything else out and I get in the f'n zone.
Hope that helps!
I have been playing for over 60 years and I agree that focusing on your pre-shot routine keeps your mind off the pressure of the shot. When they try to shark me, I just double down and I zone in. It's worked every time.
I really enjoyed your video. Very informative and well spoken. I’ve been in many high-pressure situations. I like to take a deep breath and visualize what I want to happen and also I think back toA prior situation where I was in a tight spot and I came through it no sweat.
This might be good! Remember a time you came through and try to get back into that mindset.
Regarding the high pressure felt during a match or shot. When I was learning pool in the mid 70's, I read a book titled "Mastering Pool" by George Fels. If you've never read it, do yourself a favor, get it , and MEMORIZE the WP's (Whenever Possible) in the straight pool section--even if you don't play straight pool. They will apply directly to 8 or 9 ball as well. Anyways, somewhere in the book about being in pressure situations, I learned two things that were invaluable. One, when it is not your shot, put your cue in a holder, another table, anywhere. Just get it out of your hands as to avoid "clenching" it which will surely bring on stress when it's your turn to the table. Two, now this one seems strange, but if I hadn't tried it myself, I would have just dismissed it. George wrote that somewhere along the way in his playing career he figured out that when he was in panic mode, he ALWAYS relieved that stress by concentrating on the back of his tongue. I know, right, but for whatever reason it works!
I really want to thank you for making and sharing this video. It helped me a bunch. Thanks again
I deal with high pressure situations by thinking about death.
I'll give this one a shot!
Whatever works!!
@Greg Schleitwiler Like all things are meaningless and transient in the uncaring, infinite universe, so why worry?
Didn't even see this when I wrote the same thing up top. Really works for me. Along with a Reyes-style chuckle. Love how and when Reyes uses a little chuckle to release/manage stress.
StavroginNikolai Dostoevsky....
Love your voice bro. Makes a big difference on how I process the info you speak. Good job. As far as your knowledge and talent!? Aces bud!!
Big Pressure Situations--I certainly agree on the "focusing on the fundamentals" approach but I think there are multiple ways to overcome this issue but it all depends on what is physically and psychologically happening to the individual. There's a common notion in basketball when a player is in a shooting slump--they must shoot themselves out of it. The idea is that the player, assuming that there are no glaring fundamental deficiencies, is to keep doing what they've always done and NEED TO SEE THE BALL GO INTO THE BASKET. Similarly, many pool players have gone through slumps--for myself, it was the 8 BALL itself. I would just miss and after a couple misses on moderate to easy shots, it got into my head. I would be down on a shot and think about the prior misses and that gave me doubts, conversely, I would also try to instill confidence by telling myself that I was going to nail this shot. The problem was much like the fully commitment flaw you already talked about where players in between two shots and not stand up would miss... I think that any thoughts beyond execution of the shot are mental distractions--even the confident internal monologue as the mind needs that clarity for that muscle memory to truly take over. I think many players, myself included, make a shot and lose the cue ball just a bit--the following shot isn't difficult, but there's a lingering disappointment that doesn't allow for that clarity. I've also been guilty of being down on a shot thinking about how pocketing this ball will change the score of the set, how I've looked forward to beating this particular player or, and possibly in your case, how if you make that shot or finish that run how your team will be victorious--we must learn to block out everything.
In short, for my experience on the 8 Ball issue, I got over it by seeing the 8 ball fall. That might not sound like a real solution because it seems like the wrong order of events, but the mentality changed after I made a few in a row and the reality of being quite capable overcame the doubts of missing an easy shot. Also, high stakes are called such for a reason and it might not be practical to remove all nerves... after out team's last trip to Vegas for the BCA tournament, one of out guys noticed that nearly every shot we missed was soft shot--that touch is sometimes needed but should be avoided if possible. The softer the shot, the more those micro-flexes from your muscles can affect where the cue strikes the cue ball where the firm shot mitigates that issue.
Thanks for another great video!
On High pressure shot what I was taught by Lee Brett, he said there is no such thing as pressure. It's just in your mind. He said just do your normal routine and don't think about the shot. It works for me most of the time. Bill.
When I'm in a stressed situation I'll take a deep breath and slowly let it out. Legit tension, close my eyes and do the same thing a few times and focus on what needs to happen at the time. In my local league I went from avg'ing around 12th - 15th best in league to this season where I'm fighting for #1 for my local group. I went from 50/50 seasons to this session where I'm running 11/3 win loss record. I'm a nobody that isn't good at pool, but these are things I do and they help me tremendously.
Holding the number 1 spot in any league is tough. Even in remote areas, there are usually a strong players. Congrats on that.
I think the most solid advice you gave, which in reality is about 70 percent or more of the game is fundamentals. My biggest issue was staying down on the shot, especially when I was shooting a tough one. As far as pressure goes, I think it comes with experience. We all hate being pressured, unless your name is Strickland. Best advice I can give, breathe, focus and let your muscle memory take over. Great video!
Any time I'm feeling jumpy I shoot at least 200 shots where I touch the felt with the tip after contact and following through. Not really more than that because I don't want to develop a dipsy do stroke.
Hi, I've played for some years, Best this to do is (if your underpressure) Stand up.. Chock your que, clear your mind, and THINK,,, I am playing the table..not the person. and yes.. Know I've made this shoot before.
Approach the table CORRECTLY. Get in your stance. and stroke your shot. Wow you made it. Cool,Great Job
One thing to remember, you think there's pressure on you? Just imagine how your opponent feels, poor fecker is probably thinking after every miss that he's played his last shot so learn to capitalize on someone's mistake, and if you make a mistake on your own, then your opponent will be so bewildered that you missed, that he'll probably have no game plan and he'll be feeling even more pressurized than you, thanks for the awesome video, really gave me a few things to work on! :-)
valuable advice, many thanks!
With dealing with pressure my captain told me to relax and try to imagine if the shot was 1 foot away. It helped me improve my high pressure hill hill nerves, and gave me an idea about how i should be playing my long shots or cut shots.
underrated comment. On long shots, you really do know where to hit, its all about execution. The quicker you can realize that, the quicker you can go about focusing on execution and not second guessing your aim.
How true; your analysis sums up the entire gamut. Thank you
You need to learn to love the pressure! I can’t get enough of it! Once you overcome the fear, it brings pure excitement!
I have been trying to embrace the pressure and enjoy the added challenge.
I liked this video bc it spoke to me. The best thing I can tell you about pressure or "anxiety" is something I read a few years back, & this is the best advice I've found...it is called "Your Inner Rocky Voice" I wish I could give credit where credit is due, but the truth is, is i picked up a martial arts book in the martial arts section of BAM & read it & it said this...your inner Rocky voice...if it tells you "you're going to get hit, then you're going to get hit. If you tell yourself you're going to hit the person, you're going to hit the person." I don't recommend taking action, of course... but it pertains to fight or flight...same thing with pool...pay attention to the "mental game" you have lined up for a shot HUNDREDS OF TIMES...if you tell yourself you're going to pocket this ball "with confidence" then there is at least a high percentage, I am thinking 95% to 99% or even YES A 100% chance!!! you're going to pocket this ball!!! If you are nervous & feeling pressure you're already telling yourself you're going to miss & then failure completes your shot leading to a miss. This is anxiety. You either control it, or it controls you. Be confident, & work on doing your best to focus. Don't just practice pool, practice confidence, practice focusing, practice breathing techniques, & practice saying "I am about to pocket this ball."
I personally just put full concentration on the pace of the shot, and that can help, but if it doesn't, get back up and double check where you're going to shoot it, so you will know that you'll make it, with no worries. (If you don't, a you'll at least make more shots) (I have not played in any tournaments, but I've had many people watch me shoot as they're waiting for me to finish so they can shoot)
Good vid! Hit on a lot of good stuff. For myself during pressure shots, I try to keep a routine. Always follow your routine and do not let your mind wonder when taking these shots. Be in the moment and not the possible aftermath of the shot. Obviously this can be easier said than done. I probably still allow it myself quite a bit, but I have found it very helpful if I stay to my routine before taking a shot and staying focused on just the shot. Never over think it either, you want to treat it as any other shot. If it’s a tough shot, decide what to do and like he said in the video, commit 💯 to the shot. Following a good routine keeps your mind on the shot and not the outcome.
Great video thanks for the advice
High pressure situations happen a lot to me, as I play both darts and English 8ball pool. The best way I have to deal with it is breathing, a few deep breaths before you get onto the shot and a few during, people forget to breathe! Also to make sure you are doing this during practice. Make it part of your routine to breathe properly.Also walking away from the table, take a drink, wipe the cue down with a cloth etc. can really help detach you from the pressure
I wonder if this is something I do. I will keep it in mind next time.
Everyone feels the pressure, even when they’re not betting their own money. Trust the work you put in and go all in on the shots. Get the butterflies to fly together.
Thanks for sharing, this was helpful.
2 things that help me in pressure situations:
1) Removing a half centimeter of back swing and delivering the final stroke just a hair earlier. I mean like .1 seconds earlier. Knowing I'm doing this gives me another thing to concentrate on instead of the situation.
2) Reminding myself that someday I'll be dead and eaten by worms, laughing in my head about how seriously I'm taking things, refocus, shoot
we are just a bunch of animals floating on a spec of dust in the universe, and I'm worried about a ball not falling in a pocket... lol
Great advice ! Thanks
I had a situation in which I couldn't physically make a shot to win the match. But then I realized that I am Corey Deuel and made it. Thanks man! Great vid.
Thank you so much. This 5 steps i learned alot.
This was amazingly well done, edited, and spoken. Bell is on sir.
Ok so I have been playing pool on and off since I was 8 or 9, but never really consistent until 2 years ago when I started playing APA. In my first session qualified for the regional tournament then Nationals in Vegas. In order to cope with pressure of league play or tournaments is this, there is no one playing in amateur leagues (APA, BCA, NAPA, etc.) that aren't feeling nervous, so I stopped worrying about nerves and concentrating on my game and no one else's.
This is some damn good advice, well done.
Awesome video..thanks for these wise words
the one thing i can say the has helped me tremendously with my regular pool game and also high pressure situations is beta blocker blood pressure medication.
I have been recently diagnosed with Grave's Disease. Which is a extremely high Thyroid hormone level. I also take meds to lower my hormone level, but the beta blocker is to lower my heart rate. Which was 195bpm at rest before any meds were begun. Many performance artists take a beta blocker of a low mild dose about an hr before a show. This helps to eliminate stage fright and the nervousness of being on stage and the like. It may seem extreme to suggest this at all but it's true and it works. I have a condition that has allowed me to know this.
Subbed. Nice video. Good to see humble instructors. There's a few guys I can't deal with their videos on here. I'm thinking about starting a channel dedicated to instruction as well
I started this channel about a year ago due to a lack of high quality billiard content. I hope you do, but it takes a lot more time than I thought it would to make a video.
I usually miss shots that I feel "down" about. Try to remember you got in this game because you thought it was fun. Go back to that feeling of optimism and enjoyment and why you liked the game of pool in the first place. There's "death", and "taxes" and there's "pool". Pool is the best option of the three. Basic skill not withstanding, our mental outlook can determine success or failure on our outcome. Tell yourself "This is a fun challenge, I can do this"...not, "OMG I'm probably going to miss this". Your mind is a powerful ally.
Good advice. Pre-shot routine works! Two deep breaths - get comfortable - see the shot - stroke the cue stick 3 times (or whatever your pre-shot routine is) and then hit it. You gave it your best shot - if you miss put it behind you - you cannot change the past.
For high pressure situations in pool for me is I just focus on shooting for myself. Space out and forget there's alot of others watching you shoot so you stay true to yourself. Helps me alot when in those high pressure situations where your staring down a hill vs hill victory with alot on the line.
When I get into that kind of zone, I typically shoot really well, but finding that switch is difficult.
Personally in any situation where stress is effecting my ability to do something. I remind myself that stress is a response to help get through something. It’s thinking about the stress or pressure that distracts you. Your heart speeds up and the oxygen to your brain increases, use it and stop worrying about it. It may seem easier said than done, but understanding the situation internally can completely get rid of negative stress. Allowing you to focus at a higher level on that whatever it is you need to.
Great video. I was in a very similar situation to yours in league playoff finals years ago. You clearly are a better player than I am, but I was very aware of the moment. Even though I had a chance to run out, I looked for, found, and executed a good safe. I got a break from the pressure, a ball in hand, and an easy four ball out for the win. A teammate asked me why didn't I just go for the run. I told him there was a whole bunch of reasons, and the win mattered more to me than a run out. klb
I see this quite a bit from the higher level players. They will take on a 10% shot to avoid having to play a safe that would basically guarantee them the win.
Really good advice. In the league tournament, I played safe against a lower handicap player, rather than take a shot I was uncomfortable with. It paid off. Like you said, the win was more important than the runout.
Hit in me in the heart bud... good video and thanks for the help
Nice video. Nice thoughts sir. I'm a fan.
Always play shape on the money ball, imagine the money ball is your second to last shot, it helps take the pressure off of that shot
Yes, it makes the money ball shot more similar to a typical shot where you visualize not only the path of the object ball but also the path of the cue ball. And occasionally this alerts you to a potential scratch on the money ball shot.
When I'm under pressure on the table. I just focus on me and forget about everyone else around me. It's easy to get lost in the crowd but if you just think about your practice shots you'll make every shot count.
I need to work on not missing the cue ball. Thanks for the video
when in doubt stand up and take a deep breather to refocus your mind.
In sports of perfection like skeet shooting, pool, and many others, a great tool is to get some time with a mental coach. There are coaches out there that can break down what you need as a unique individual with certain needs for whatever sport it is you do and give you ways to tame the stress of high pressure situations and mistakes you’ve made. Definitely something to look into if you’re serious about and perfection sport
Interesting feedback, really important for all levels of players! Thanx=)
Great video man ... just was wondering what cue, shaft, tip do you use and what other stuff and accessories have you used that work or does not work for you ... just very curious as I started trying a lot of tips to find out what I personally like ...
I use to play with a Meucci black dot shaft, but I recently switched to the Cuetec Cynergy. I really like the Cuetec, but I changed the tip to a Kamui Black soft tip. As for other accessories, I have a cue extension which is really nice for shots that are just out of reach. I use a pool glove because it gives a consistent coefficient of friction no matter where I am playing (humidity..etc). I use Blue Diamond chalk. My break cue is the McDermott jump/break. I think its called the stinger or something. Its just a break cue and nothing special and it does its job.
I have started something new in my game that is working in high pressure situations, I walk around the table, while taking deep breathes and then focus on making the ball without touching the rails. This, in effect, makes for a smaller target which gives me more room to miss my mark but make the ball.
Great advice.. I believe most players are aware of this, but for some reason we tend to forget our game plan on the game that matters the most.. I believe players really need to focus only on their game and nothing else.. keep relax as much as possible.. But again the big question is how do you learn do that with pressure?
In order to get use to playing pressure shots is to always play for money. Even if it's a dollar it will psychologically affect your game and you'll become more comfortable playing under pressure.
Excellent points.
I had the same problem and probably still do. Missing and getting nervous in tournaments. I rang my friend at time uk no1 his said practise practise practise. Never get annoyed practise practise. The moment you finish a match practise again
Just make sure what you are doing is actually practicing and not throwing your stick at the ball.
You're right to say that the best way to deal with pressure situations is to put yourself in more pressure situations.
For the last several years, I have played one night a week in an APA league and my game never seemed to improve.
But my game has improved quite a bit lately because I started playing against my brother once a week.
That extra day has made a huge difference for me.
He lives in Phoenix and I live in L.A. We video call each other and I watch him when it's his turn to shoot
and he watches me when it's my turn. We have learned how to mirror our phones to our tv sets, so it's like
being in the same room together!
Of course, you can't play 8 ball or 9 ball this way. We play a game called Bowliards. There are no safeties in
Bowliards and every miss is crucial. Cue ball control is the name of the game.
It's a great way to improve your game and hang out with a friend or relative - and it's a lot more fun than practicing alone.
Pressure situations I deal with by having fun. I play in a league out here in Korea, and I built my team with skill and personality. Basically all friends who are as weird as me. I just have fun and it helps me relax.
which league?
World of Pool and Billiards Anjeong-ri pool league.
@@StonedWallGoat I've only played around that area once in a tournament about 8 or 9 years ago. I mostly played out of Songtan back then, and now play out of Seoul.
For your answer to #4 - Nerves. Sometimes it is not enough to just stand up. Walk around the table, looking at the shot from all angles. It allows your brain to take in more information and better focus. When you get back down on the shot again, it should be clearer to you. Take a deep breath, and stroke on the exhale. Don't move until the ball falls.
I'm going to try and take a lap next time around.
On the high pressure ganes it took couple years and finally have been able to understand it's nerves. So fear or Focus. I've been able to have a mind set of nothing but focus on the game. When I'm not shooting I'm looking for balls that can be easy saftey lock ups and any balls that are problems for my opponet. Really have been able to shut down everything around me and it's nothing but thought of getting advantage So if I can't get out, or roll on wrong side of ball etc, I have a plan in my head how to get to that saftey play and re-group with possibility ball in hand. Never upset about a miss ir bad roll. Just 100% focus and remember, then m and m lose yourself starts in my head!
I typically think about how many have done this before me and my situation is nothing new. That always helps with grounding my pressure.
I get through high pressure situations by practicing/rehearsing in the mindset of the high pressure situation. Works for public speaking and such.
Great video!!!! What is the track being played in this video?
For myself during a high pressure situation. I revert back to the fundamentals. In my mind I tell myself, "remember your fundamentals." Its helps me to block out the pressure and focus on what's important with my execution. Just ny opinion
Pressure is what makes you better in pool or football it challenges you to make the shot! My hands used to shake but I love it since now I'm winning tournaments!!
It feels great when you do overcome the pressure of a big match and win.
Dealing with pressure:
Just remember that you are the one on the table, you are a great player. No one else’s opinion helped you get there, just hard work and focus.
The pressure one, play more pressure matches, eventually/hopefully you develop a method of blocking out distractions. I feel I have this down but that leads straight to the focus one, it’s then so easy to be over confident with the pressure and lose that focus for one second. Nice vid 👍🏻
Chew gun when the stakes are high. It will calm your nerves. Works for me
That's the "Nick Varner tecnique." 😎
For high pressure situations, these are some best ways that I have learned over the years:
1. I listen to a lot of motivational and sports psychology videos. Fearless Motivation, Fearless Soul, Eric Thomas, Les Brown are my favorite TH-cam channels/motivational speakers. Listening to sports psychology videos and practicing various methods like learning how to stop overthinking.
2. Meditation
3. Fidget spinners or fidget toys. I also like stress balls. When I use those while sitting in a match, it tires my muscles and helps me to relax causing me to have a smoother stroke.
4. Don’t talk or look at anyone while playing in a match, whether it be in league nights or in a singles tournament. Every match is crucial. There’s truth in some ways of the cliche: “The eyes are the window to the soul.” I refuse to make eye contact with anyone. If I do, I can see all of the feelings in people’s eyes, whether it be people cheering for you or against you.
5. Play for yourself even if you are playing for a team. That helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and fear of disappointing others.
6. Practice as if you are playing in a major tournament. Take it all seriously with intense focus. Wear the same clothes/shoes and eat the same foods in practice that you would during a tournament. Change nothing. The smallest of details end up being the most important.
7. Play the ghost. This will get you accustomed to playing your best and learning how to play against a player who never misses a shot. I’ll even play the ghost for money. Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but put your lost money into a jar, and you’re not allowed to touch it until several months later at minimum. If you lose your money, then you won’t be able to spend it on something that you really wanted. Lesson again: take it seriously.
8. Write down and work on all of your problem shots. When you master those, then you won’t get anxious in competition. Confidence is everything.
9&10 I’ll reiterate your advice...
9. FUNDAMENTALS & PRE-SHOT ROUTINE!!!! I can’t express enough the importance of this. I’ll work on them for hours and hours...at absolute minimum one hour per day, though I typically will work on it for several hours per day. Straight shots are my best friend...always learning how to get down on a shot correctly. I also have a timer app and set it to do a 20 second shot clock with 5 second intervals to set up my next shot.
10. Play in as many tournaments as possible. I’ll enter tournaments that I have a .001% chance of winning just to get accustomed to dealing with pressure. I might not be able to win big tournaments right now, but I will be able to in the future. So I want to be fully prepared now and not become a deer in headlights, frozen with fear and anxiety, when I do start playing and winning in big tournaments.
If no shot clock, take a slow walk around the table, see the object ball from EVERY angle. Helps you relax. and as for the easy shots. One of my best friends stated. "Treat every shot with the same respect" We take the "easy" ones for granted.
That is one thing I want to make a video about. No matter what level you are, you have to give this game the respect it deserves and shoot every shot with care.
No one in the stands is down on the table playing. For what ever reason they have chosen or have to site and watch. You are the pro. Even if you mess up, they definitely wouldn't want to come up and take your place. Play like a pro because you are the pro.
Good stuff Man..
That Corey shot was nuts!!!!
1 & 5 Nailed it I'm probably about a 4 player sinking the OB is main focus just starting to think ahead which is causing me to miss shots should make.
I'm the guy that recognized you from BNP. Great video!
Thanks, I am going to be playing down there every now and again, so I will probably see you around.
When you feel the pressure, my advice is to stand up, breathe, relax your shoulders then when you’re comfortable, line up your shot and shoot! Take all the time you need to get comfortable..most amateur tournaments or leagues dont have shot clocks anyway..thats the best advice i could offer, it works for me..lol good luck bro!
i think you answered your own question; just keep putting yourself in these high pressure situations to get used to it. I used to do that for basketball and now that I've picked up pool I make myself uncomfortable. Even just recreating physical symptoms that come with high pressure situations give relief in real pressure situations.
Does anyone know how's called the song in the background at the beginning ? And where to find it... Thanx... Btw great videos keep up the good work... i leard a few things from you that helped me up my game 😁
Gelatin Nature by Ooyy... I use a lot of this artist's music in my videos.
I read making the shot before the game winning shot the key shot. I think if you apply that to the final few balls it becomes a behavioral situation and after repetition the pressure will subside a bit.
Personally I like Ralph Eckert’s thought process of “this next shot is for me” when it comes to dealing with pressure and even shooting in general. Keeps you centered and not thinking about the distractions around you.
I play in an in-house 9 ball singles league and I also can't see the angle on certain shots. Some shots are just that way. What I do is take a little more time(but not too much) than necessary to stand up and look at the shot. Then I try to visualize it in my head. This frees me from any self-doubt and allows me to fully commit to the shot.
I like Michael Pang post, it mentions playing pressure balls at pocket speed to give them a better chance of going in. I think this is good advice in most instances but I have seen lots of players do this and miss too. Some shots I prefer to stroke in confidently, not hard but just back yourself and think how many times you have done this in practise. All good advice, some tips work better than others depending on the player and their normal style of play. Cheers
One thing on the last shot of a game is people forget to play shape on the shot and unintentionally break their rhythm
That is actually a video I was thinking about making. Discussing the pressure of the last ball and how to treat it like every other shot you would shoot to maintain a consistent mindset/routine
This is excellent advice. I've helped cure 8ball - itis with a few of my friends by telling them to always have a spot for the cue ball to go on every shot including the 8ball. This will ensure their routine stays intact.
High pressure, almost got into a fight with a league guy over his spot on the challenge table. Small room, not a lot of tables. He won, I was next, I had a 4 ball runout to win. I walked straight past the table to my friend Joy and my beer. She told me to take a sip, I told her most of the pool hall was watching this game, she told me that she knew that was the case, and to get it done. Four ball runout and it was my table. Sometimes you have to look past the pressure and realize that there are people that care no matter what. Get yourself centered, grounded, and execution under pressure is an afterthought. Ran it out. Shook the guy's hand afterward, no bad blood. Good win.
Standing up on the stroke is the one i see most. Great vid btw
3:19 his knees were weak and his arms were heavy?
pretty much
Mom spaghetti
Palms sweaty?
@@freekgeboers4399 you didn't get it did you?... haha
@@freekgeboers4399 he looks at the shot, but his stroke aint steady
Thanks it help a lot
2 words bruh, mental fortitude,
and you're on the right track, repetitiveness and
*metal reflection, Repeat Over and over and over again makes perfection!
I can't empathize more and more practice builds experience. Experience builds knowledge. Knowledge builds guidance, guidance builds better decisions. Better decisions makes you better then your opponent.
*Metal reflections is realizing when you're wrong and improving your mistakes.
'Leaning guidance and what NOT to do '