Nerves ruining my natural game during matches

[Hazard]

Any of you guys offer any advice on how to deal with nerves during matches?

I have suffered with them since I started playing the game and it effects my game badly where it will cause me to miss the easiest of balls.

I even let the nerves get to me against people I shouldnt really be struggling against and because of it can sometimes end up with a terrible result because of it.

I stopped playing the game for ten years and have only been back playing a year, because of this i am having to work my way back up from the lower leagues. Not to disrespect my opponents, but i should not be struggling with nerves against them. Anyone no matter how good they are can lose the odd game i know that, but this is down to nerves more than anything.

Has anybody got some advice that may help in this situation? Really frustrating when i know im a lot better than my performance suggests.

[Terry Davidson]

Play more matches, play in all the matches you can. Even when playing a 'friendly' with your partner make it a match situation like best-of-5 for a beer or a fiver or even the table time.

The only way to beat the nerves is to become totally familiar and comfortable in match situations by making a match the normal way you play.

Either that or take drugs as there are some calming drugs out there for people who don't like to fly but anything stronger effects the mind so that's no good

[hotpot]

I think the first step in overcoming nervous is admitting your nervous , then realising its natural , everyone does some more than others , after that you just have to learn how to control it .

[Hazard]

My club is more of a social club so most people in there spend more time around the bar then the snooker table. There's also not many players to play against that are a much higher level than myself, they all play for other clubs. If i was to be honest there is probably only one player who i could play for a wager or play proper match snooker against but he is hardly there, so it can be difficult. There are players of a similar level to myself but i would also like to try and improve at the same time as learning to control my nerves. None of us want to continue at the same level really.

[vmax4steve]

Don't take the game so seriously; your d1ck won't shrink if you lose so stop worrying. The butterflies are a sign that adrenalin is flooding your body to prepare you for fight or flight, but as snooker is only a game there really is no fight or flight situation going on so relax and enjoy it as a game.

On the other hand if winning means that much to you then embrace the butterflies as the adrenalin is flooding your body to help you by heightening your senses and giving you the edge you need. You have to decide if you going to stand and fight or take flight so use the adrenalin to your advantage rather than letting it rule you.

[dieselman147]

Hi, not so sure about the drugs advice lol but I agree with becoming comfortable and familiar with the match situation. You need to be confident in you game and you ability and and not worry about what people will be thinking and what could go wrong. Everyone has bad days, everyone misses balls and if it happens to you in a match just accept it. Just remember you'll have your good days too. Easy to say but its true.

[j6uk]

on respect, go for your shots and show no respect.. then objectively review the outcome, and adjust

[Hazard]

Cheers for the advice guys, i have identified what problem it is i suffer when nervous, my cue arm tightens up a hell of a lot and this makes pretty much the easiest of balls missable.

[GeordieDS]

Stop thinking it's serious when it's not and enjoy it

[j6uk]

Cheers for the advice guys, i have identified what problem it is i suffer when nervous, my cue arm tightens up a hell of a lot and this makes pretty much the easiest of balls missable.

i hear you. i remember after my first few matches in the english amateurs my elbow was killing me, its all part of the learning curve

[aucott80]

Nerves ruining my natural game during matches

More matches you play easier it becomes. Just keep telling yourself you can only do your best and you know you can pot the balls. Keep repeating it to yourself it helps trust me.

[marriott]

You might need to develop an inner arrogance to your game (not a general unlikeable arrogance but an inner animalistic one that craves success and actually does disrespect others when at the table). I know a friend who's high break is 140 and you could not meet a nicer guy, unfortunately he's also this really nice guy in matches too and seems to suffer from a lack of killer instinct. As a result he misses easy balls and drops frames to players who jimmy white would refer to as muppets.

Acknowledge a foul, appreciate a good shot but if you have an inner arrogance this should make you more positive and thus play more positively. The top players have it. Judd and Robbo especially. Jack Lisowski is another one. If I was him, when playing I'd be thinking inside 'I'm better looking than you, I can pot anyone off the table, I'm going to beat you.' It wouldn't surprise me if Jack thinks something close to this. Have you heard Hendry: "I'd hate someone to have a 147 against me." He has this inner, positive, killer instinct/arrogance.

Inside your head, especially in a sport like snooker, you need to be that killer. Look at serial winners. A lot of people hated Hendry as he kept winning everything. Phil Taylor wants to destroy his opponent on the dartboard, off it he'll crack a smile have a laugh and share a drink with him.

In short, be pleasant and nice off the table, but on it be a killer..... with etiquette of course :-)

[Stupree]

Nerves ruining my natural game during matches

Many things work for many types of personalities and situations, so its tricky to give a surefire solution.

I would firstly address this in practice by alternating approach to the shot, firstly like everything in the world depends on this shot and the next like nothing in the world matters. Notice what happens in each of these approaches.

Secondly it is understanding that these are YOUR feelings and are under YOUR control. What do you get out of holding on to this tension? I'm predicting nothing but further tension and both mental and physical fatigue. Neither will help you in practice or matches. To move onwards and upwards you need to understand that you can adjust this pressure gauge to keep you at the level at which you perform best. Having it too low or too high will affect your play.

Finally allow yourself some time to master it, it won't happen within a few hours.

Good luck

[stus cues]

I would take terrys advice and play in practice like your playing for your life, I practice with two other guys that have a totely different approach to it one go's for everything and it suite him, the others plays the same as he duz in a match one sufferes badly at match time the other its like water of a ducks backside. Me I take the drugs ? Only kidding but there are plenty that do pop a bb before they play and sum just use alcohol.

[j6uk]

You might need to develop an inner arrogance to your game (not a general unlikeable arrogance but an inner animalistic one that craves success and actually does disrespect others when at the table). I know a friend who's high break is 140 and you could not meet a nicer guy, unfortunately he's also this really nice guy in matches too and seems to suffer from a lack of killer instinct. As a result he misses easy balls and drops frames to players who jimmy white would refer to as muppets.

Acknowledge a foul, appreciate a good shot but if you have an inner arrogance this should make you more positive and thus play more positively. The top players have it. Judd and Robbo especially. Jack Lisowski is another one. If I was him, when playing I'd be thinking inside 'I'm better looking than you, I can pot anyone off the table, I'm going to beat you.' It wouldn't surprise me if Jack thinks something close to this. Have you heard Hendry: "I'd hate someone to have a 147 against me." He has this inner, positive, killer instinct/arrogance.

Inside your head, especially in a sport like snooker, you need to be that killer. Look at serial winners. A lot of people hated Hendry as he kept winning everything. Phil Taylor wants to destroy his opponent on the dartboard, off it he'll crack a smile have a laugh and share a drink with him.

In short, be pleasant and nice off the table, but on it be a killer..... with etiquette of course :-)

just enough for your family to still talk to you