Afraid of winning?

[Nic Barrow]

I remember Stephen Hendry this year said that when he was on the final black for his 147 in the world championship (2009) that all the NEGATIVE thoughts started coming in unlike the rest of the break. EG 'Don't miss the black and become the first player to do so at Sheffield!'. Just because you have thoughts doesnt mean you need to take any notice of them.
I told a player once to just treat every thought like a floating bubble coming in, not doing anything with it, and let it float out. He made his first 147 the next day!
On my first maximum (I have only had one!) I remember thinking on the final black "I'm going to miss this.", but i played it regardless and it went straight in!
Rehearsing in your mind the results you want in life ('Think big' - Donald Trump) will also help bring up any issues you have with achieving it IN ADVANCE rather than at the crossing line.
Have a board meeting with every part of your mind to negotiate what is best for all parts of you in life.

[RocketRoy1983]

Good advice above.

Ive started thinking "this is going straight in" when attempting difficult pots and it helps. Try it.

[hatterboard]

This is why having your own pre-shot routine is important in my opinion. Doing the same things and having the same approach every shot helps bring everything together more of the time rather than being hesitant or thinking 'what if'. Learning this may give a player something to fall back on in pressure situations also perhaps.

anyone got any ideas of a pre shot routine ?
play pool an could do with a structuured routine for when it matters.

[bongo]

Here's an example of a pre-shot routine, or drill.

http://fcsnooker.co.uk/fcsnooker_new.../the_drill.htm

[davipp]

I understand what you are getting at. When I was younger and playing for money and I knew my opponent would take the bait for another game, yes I would lose. I'm much older and I don't play for money these days and I find now I lose to players who are playing well and need that boost of confidence. When I play competition and I lose I have been beaten by a better player. I believe as you get older your killer instinct diminishes. Another mental aspect of this great game, LUV IT!

[Nat5guns]

I've been in the situation where i am just 1 or 2 shots away from winning the frame so many times, and i try my best to throw it away. I don't know whether or not its the negative thoughts or whether its just purely down to twitching with me.
When i look back at some of the matches i have participated in over the years, i think that subconsciously i have decided before I've even hit a ball whether I'm going to lose or not. Sometimes coming second best seems like the best option for me, even though i am trying my heart out.

Its the 'killer instinct' that you need in this game, you have got to be able to come back when you are well behind, make clearances, make big breaks and play good safety if you stand any chance in the top amateur game let alone pro level.
This game is hard enough when you are playing in practice, let alone when you are playing in front of people and the pressure is on and you have to compete with your own mind as well. I think unless you are extremely naturally talented then your attitude, composure and bottle has to be second to none to go far in this game. Snooker is so very hard.