match tension

[GD73]

folks, started playing competitive snooker after a 22 year break!

i do seem to be playing pretty well in practice 30-60 breaks are happening on
a regular basis.

i am working on my technique/ cueing grip etc...

but when i get into a match i get tense and my form goes to pieces!!

i know i m capable of playing so much better but,
i can't seem to relax and do myself justice....

to say it's frustrating is an understatement!!

it's only my safey game that is putting me in a position to win

maybe i am expecting too much after being away from the game for so long..
and i know there are no quick fixes

any advice or tips techniques gratefully appreciated

[Terry Davidson]

Match tension comes from not being completely at ease with your ability to make balls, or in other words your technique.

I'm afraid the only way to overcome it is to practice as much as you can until you become completely comfortable with your technique so when you get down on a shot you KNOW you are going to make it and have absolutely no negative thoughts like 'if I miss this one he will probably win the frame'.

Rather, when you get down on a shot the thought will be 'when I make this ball I will probably win the frame'.

Terry

[GD73]

terry,

thanks for the response...

makes a lot of sense.. cueing straight... keeping the head down... loose grip.... etc
I am trying to work on my technique... 2-4 hrs of solo practice a week...

But sometimes i get nervous as it's a difficult
shot that you need to make.

but in genaral i am nervous certainly at the start of the match so lack of confidence in my technique could
be the answer...

if your only playing best of 3 it's difficult....

i suppose i'll need to practice more - play different opponenets hopefully it will get better...

i am grinding out the results but it ain't pretty!!!

cheers

Graeme.

[GD73]

match tension

terry,

thanks for the response...

makes a lot of sense.. cueing straight... keeping the head down... loose grip.... etc
I am trying to work on my technique... 2-4 hrs of solo practice a week...

But sometimes i get nervous as it's a difficult
shot that you need to make.

but in genaral i am nervous certainly at the start of the match so lack of confidence in my technique could
be the answer...

if your only playing best of 3 it's difficult....

i suppose i'll need to practice more - play different opponenets hopefully it will get better...

i am grinding out the results but it ain't pretty!!!

cheers

Graeme.

[nrage]

Confidence is the only thing that kills nerves and I've found the best thing for confidence is to stop thinking about all the ways it could go wrong, and only "see" the outcome you want. So, before one of these tough shots do all your shot selection analysis in terms of the value of making the shot, vs the cost of failure. But, once you decide to play the shot banish the failure outcomes (because, to be honest you cannot guarantee your opponent will actually punish you - they might make a mess of any opportunity you leave them) from your mind as they're beyond your control, and just play the shot. In your mind you should only be "see"ing the positive, expected, desired outcome.

[Giggity1984]

There's a book called the pleasures of small motions that deals nicely with negative thoughts. I've been following Steve davis' advice of only thinking of position in competition. That's helped me a lot.

[johno]

Hi mate, do you have a link where's there more info about Davis' advice of only thinking about position?
thanks

[Giggity1984]

I've got his Myspace posts on technique at home. I'll pm it to you when I'm back in the country johno.

[NorthWestJunior]

I'd say you are just in need of more tournament experience, 22 years is a long time! My bet is that sometime soon you will just find your form in a competitive match and you'll probably settle down after that. Practice is the most important part though. Practice as often and as efficiently as you can playing players of your standard or better. You want to get to a position where the snooker table feels like home and that comes with more and more practice. I'm not sure what level of competitive play you're in whether it be regional tournaments or local leagues but playing a wider variety of players will help your game when it comes to tense match situations as you're better prepared for various types of player. My main advice would be to stick with your natural technique and keep it solid.