First League Match

[alabadi]

The captain of a local three man Summer league team in the Exeter League has asked me to play tonight. It's two frames each, with handicaps. So because I've not played league before, I will be +15 I think. Any tips fellas on how to approach and handle this match. I'm a bit nervous I admit.

I myself might be playing in a league this winter for the first time, although daunting i can't wait. i am not afraid to lose, because i know it will make me a better player. obviously i don't want to let the team down by getting beat more than i win. but still its what i need now and i am sure i will relish the challenge.

you should too, just enjoy it and play with no fear, remember you can only effect what you do, what the other player does you have no control over. so when you are at the table play your game and don't be influenced by anything or anyone.

good luck

Alabbadi

[DeanH]

Great news Particle - I am sure you were smiling a lot through your match
Even when snookered for 20mins - was it Peter Ebdon you were against?
well done

[throtts]

I find the start of the match is so important and I mean the start ( first 12345 shots ). If you sink them it will send the right message to the other player. You will then see maybe a defensive mind set from him, which should install some confidence in yourself. Also, keep it poker face even if you are wound up, if you show you are are wound up some players think its there session so game over which installs there confidence.

Snooker really is battle of the minds when standards are similar.

Good luck and remember if your nervous, tell yourself to keep your cue arm loose..Tension and tightness is the killer.

Edit,, ooppps.. you won, congrats ..

[Particle Physics]

I myself might be playing in a league this winter for the first time, although daunting i can't wait. i am not afraid to lose, because i know it will make me a better player. obviously i don't want to let the team down by getting beat more than i win. but still its what i need now and i am sure i will relish the challenge.

you should too, just enjoy it and play with no fear, remember you can only effect what you do, what the other player does you have no control over. so when you are at the table play your game and don't be influenced by anything or anyone.

good luck

Alabbadi

I think you're right, handling the pressure in this situation helps overcome the nerves and trains the mind for any table situation, even practising with a friend. League is exciting, but hellish nervous. I've had a lucky start I guess, and that's a good thing, but there will be tougher times ahead, and I just have to remember how nice it is to win, and be philosophical and a good sport in defeat; this is snooker after all, it's not just about winning and losing, values are at stake IMO. Anyway, I've been asked to play next week; I hope they don't expect 6-0 every week or think I'm some sort of good luck charm! lol. I talk to myself a lot, talking through shots, which made my team-mates laugh. I'm not trying to put my opponent off, it just seems to help me, if I discuss a shot with myself. If I don't have a chat audibly or in my mind, I freeze on the shot and don't know what to do. I guess this is nerves and if I improve and confidence grows, and experience comes into play, things will be more automatic w.r.t. shot selection, holding myself together and the way I react to sinking/missing them.

Snooker is not only a difficult game, it's a difficult mental exercise too. Crikey.

[Particle Physics]

Great news Particle - I am sure you were smiling a lot through your match
Even when snookered for 20mins - was it Peter Ebdon you were against?
well done

He said that he was having a mare with his potting and was trying to win with snookers, even though there were enough points on the table to win without. I felt for him. His handicap suggests he is a good potter and my captain told me he is a good player. It couldn't have been nice for him, or done his confidence any good as leader of his team. He looked the business but was having a big off night. I'll buy him a pint, next time I see him.

[Particle Physics]

I find the start of the match is so important and I mean the start ( first 12345 shots ). If you sink them it will send the right message to the other player. You will then see maybe a defensive mind set from him, which should install some confidence in yourself. Also, keep it poker face even if you are wound up, if you show you are are wound up some players think its there session so game over which installs there confidence.

Snooker really is battle of the minds when standards are similar.

Good luck and remember if your nervous, tell yourself to keep your cue arm loose..Tension and tightness is the killer.

Edit,, ooppps.. you won, congrats ..

I just went for my shots, long and short, the way I do in practise. Maybe I should have played a tighter game, and perhaps I was lucky my opponent was off form. But I said to myself, there's no point worrying and fearing shots that you enjoy, so go for it, and enjoy them when they come off. I need to spend sometime with a friend, who is an excellent break builder, so he can teach me the art, so that when the long reds do go in, I really make them pay off. Another guy I know played England amateur and is a top player in the Exeter league (along with an ex Euro champion and former pro with a <100 world ranking), so I need to ask them if they'd like to do some coaching, as well as porting a video for you all to analyse of course!