How can I remain calm?

[thelongbomber]

I'm at the point in my game where I'm playing best snooker ever. I have more control and better position than I have ever had. Making a century is incredibly important to me and I haven't had one yet - even with my excellent potting ability.

I know one of my biggest problems: when I reach 50, I start to get nervous, shoot faster, and don't take a step back and remain calm. I don't see obvious shots and friends later point out my error. I can feel the adrenaline rush and love that part of the game but I also know adrenaline is both an asset and a barrier.

I haven't found any effective way to overcome this. Am I approaching the game with the wrong frame of mind? Am I an adrenaline junkie? Got ideas that can help me push through this barrier?

[firefrets]

They're just numbers bud, nothing more.

I've just gotten home after a practise session. It's now 4:30am and I started practising just after midnight.

I spread the balls out and won't go home until I've cleared the whole table, and each time I miss, they get set up again.

I tried with my new cue, and kept missing after about 12 reds, so I tried with my old cue, and that was actually worse missing after the 10th red, so I used the cue I was given for free, and after about an hour and a half, I eventually potted all 15 reds, and 15 colours, but after over hitting the final black slightly, laid touching the green, and snookered myself on the yellow lol. By then, it was 4am, so I had to leave a beaten man.

I only mention this, as it's a good way to stop giving a damn about numbers.

My eyes are rubbish, but my heart is big lol.

[mick.hinde]

I am not really in a position to advise as my highest is nowhere near that stage, but I always remember Cliff Thorburn taking a sip of his drink when the nerves were clearly affecting him and he went on to get his famous 147. Mind you that happens for me at 24 so I might need a few more toilet stops if I used this method! Goo9d luck and I think the comment that they are only numbers is a good one. Remember it should get easier the further you go in the break as there are less balls in the way! It never seems to work this way for me however.

[cue1]

Follow your breath!!! :snooker:

Most people stop breathing so to speak when they're anxious & nervous which consequently clouds their judgement & affects their motor activities. Try to remember to breathe properly as you hit that 50 mark & you should be fine... It's a matter of practising to control yourself & your emotions (just like everything else).

[firefrets]

Follow your breath!!! :snooker:

Most people stop breathing so to speak when they're anxious & nervous which consequently clouds their judgement & affects their motor activities. Try to remember to breathe properly as you hit that 50 mark & you should be fine... It's a matter of practising to control yourself & your emotions (just like everything else).

Yeah, breathing can get in the way lol. Anxiety is a funny mistress.

[thelongbomber]

Follow your breath!!! :snooker:

Most people stop breathing so to speak when they're anxious & nervous which consequently clouds their judgement & affects their motor activities. Try to remember to breathe properly as you hit that 50 mark & you should be fine... It's a matter of practising to control yourself & your emotions (just like everything else).

Good tip! Something to research more about

[magicman]

I have to admit that I always used to take a succession of deep breaths when I found myself getting nervous. I'm not sure whether it has any basis in fact, but it always seemed to help me calm down.

[Terry Davidson]

longbomber:

The advice regarding taking a few deep breaths is a really good way to relax the nerves a bit and help you overcome the effects of adrenaline.

I reality it does calm you down a bit but it also will slow you down a bit but of course you have to remember to do the breathing in the first place!

I know Steve Davis and quite a few other pros do use this to good effect and the one instance of where I think it would have really helped was when Ken Doherty missed the final black at 140 as he obviously was really pumped up and he did rush the shot which was a 3/4 black off the spot he would normally pot 100 times out of 100!

Terry

[jhr145]

I have to admit that I always used to take a succession of deep breaths when I found myself getting nervous. I'm not sure whether it has any basis in fact, but it always seemed to help me calm down.

Oxygen breaks down Adrenaline.

[circle]

some good advice given so far

Also, next time you get to 50 -if you count ur own breaks- start counting from one again, and when ur break ends add the two scores together. iv heard this works for some players

[armstm]

try eating a banana before a match. apparently bananas have similar chemicals to betablockers which block anxiety symptoms such as shaking hands. ask dr google.

[jb134]

I'm at the point in my game where I'm playing best snooker ever. I have more control and better position than I have ever had. Making a century is incredibly important to me and I haven't had one yet - even with my excellent potting ability.

I know one of my biggest problems: when I reach 50, I start to get nervous, shoot faster, and don't take a step back and remain calm. I don't see obvious shots and friends later point out my error. I can feel the adrenaline rush and love that part of the game but I also know adrenaline is both an asset and a barrier.

I haven't found any effective way to overcome this. Am I approaching the game with the wrong frame of mind? Am I an adrenaline junkie? Got ideas that can help me push through this barrier?

I once read a quote by Jack Nicklaus, he was speaking of tunes getting stuck in your head and the quite ran along the lines of, "It's hard to play bad golf with Raindrops keep falling on your head" as the tune stuck in your head.

Try it, i've won a few trifling events and a fair bit petty cash to that tune.

[thelongbomber]

Excellent tips! Thanks!

[Drac]

I once read a quote by Jack Nicklaus, he was speaking of tunes getting stuck in your head and the quite ran along the lines of, "It's hard to play bad golf with Raindrops keep falling on your head" as the tune stuck in your head.

Try it, i've won a few trifling events and a fair bit petty cash to that tune.

Thanks for this, if its good enough for Jack

[Giggity1984]

http://www.ehow.com/list_6459910_foo...blockers_.html