| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Jon Bourgault |
Posted - 03/09/2008 : 8:23:05 PM
Hey Melissa, Welcome.
I have a problem that maybe you can give me some advice on. Playing in big time events, I can usually pull out my best game and have learned to over come the jitters and play with all I have on every shot. The big problem I have is how do you manage to keep your level of play up (concentration, drive, etc.) over the course of a long tourney whether its a 10 hour day or several days in a row against top competition? I know you guys put in really long days at events and Im so impressed at the high level of play over the course of an entire event.
Thanks for any advice,
Jon
|
| 1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Melissa Herndon |
Posted - 03/11/2008 : 12:48:42 PM
Hi Jon,
It can be tough to keep up concentration and stamina over the long haul. Physically, there are several things that you can do to help perform at peak level. First, drink plenty of water...avoid alcohol and soda. The sugar in soda will give you a quick boost of energy, but then your blood sugar level will drop and you'll end feeling even more tired. Staying hydrated with water will help keep your energy level steady. Next, be sure to get plenty of sleep. Big tournaments can be exciting...due to location (Vegas) or maybe lots of action (money games). Set a schedule for yourself and stick to it.
Mentally, it can be much tougher to prepare. Most people get a little too pumped up for big events...the anticipation almost inhibits the performance once the moment finally arrives. It is so easy to forget how powerful the mind can be. So try to think of a big tournament like you would any of other tournament. Just get in there and make one ball at a time...because that is how the game is played. If that doesn't work for you....then try a different approach. When you practice, imagine that you are playing Johnny Archer in the finals of the World Championships. If you really concentrate, you can trick your mind/body into feeling a sense of pressure and anxiety.
I used to practice running 9-ball racks. I would just throw out the balls and then run them in order. It was fairly easy...until I would imagine that I was playing the final rack in a match with Allison Fisher. I remember one night, I told myself I couldn't go to dinner until I ran the rack "against Allison". I felt relaxed and ran out perfectly to the 8-ball...then missed it because I was concentrating on the win, not the ball. So the next attempt, I started to get tense, and couldn't finish the rack. The harder I tried, the worse it got. I think it took me 11 racks to finally get my mind right. I continued to practice that way...creating false pressure for myself...and now it is much easier for me.
Hope that helps! I look forward to meeting you in the future.
Melissa
WPBA Professional Player |
|
|
