Dieser Beitrag ist auch auf Deutsch verfügbar.
The following text is the modified version of a handout I created for young players who went to the German Championship. The guide does not include regular training to improve your playing ability. It is about the direct preparation for a tournament, a few days / weeks before.
Goals
Why are you playing pool? What are your goals for a competition? What do you intend to do for the tournament? Whether you want to “win a tournament”, “win a match” or “play as good as I can” – you need one or more goals that you can achieve. Set yourself several targets between which you can switch – if a target in a match is not achievable at the moment (e. g.”clear victory”), you can change the goal (e. g.”consistent pre-shot routine”). That way, no frustration can arise.
Fairness / sportsmanship / respect
In a tournament you represent your person, often your club or even your state or country. Be respectful and sportsmanlike towards your opponents, officials, teammates and spectators. Those who respect others need not be afraid of not being respected themselves.
Punctuality
Be at your table in time for the game. Use the time to take in the atmosphere and maybe even play a few shots. Those who come to the last minute need half the match to arrive in the game.
Nervousness / excitement / anxiety
… is normal and important. Those who are emotionally involved play better. Don’t get crazy when you’re nervous, but don’t act like nothing’s wrong. The others are also nervous, even if you don’t notice. That tingling feeling is part of it, enjoy it! If it gets too bad, focus on the basic things: breathing, walking, stroking your cue….
Eat / drink / sleep
If you want to perform well, you have to make sure that you are fit. Eat enough (good breakfast!), but not too heavy to get tired. A heavy pizza between two matches is not a good idea! Take light snacks with you for in between (bananas, nuts, cereal bars with little sugar, yogurt…). Drink enough! No Coke, Fanta, Sprite, but water or juice spritzer with little juice are the best sports drinks.
Make sure you sleep well enough. A long tournament day only those who have slept well enough will endure.
Doping / smoking / alcohol / drugs
Best of all, none of it. For large tournaments, doping tests can be carried out. If you have to take a drug, ask if it is on the doping list and get a special permit if necessary. Smokers must be prepared for the fact that they cannot smoke during a game. You can practice that already! If you drink alcohol during the tournament, you’ll be kicked out of the tournament. Drugs are forbidden, that is clear.
Gear
You should have everything you need for your game and a complete tournament, e. g:
- own chalk
- cue repair tool, if necessary replacement shaft
- maintenance for cue and tip
- towel
- sweater for in between matches
- food
- mp3-player, book, whatever to entertain and relax during waiting times
Competition training
Shortly before the competition, you will not be able to improve your basic technique and skill. We need competition practice now. Play against equal and stronger opponents in training and pretend to be in a serious match. So don’t play casually and chat in between, but concentrate on playing the match. Try to imagine the tournament atmosphere, also your possible nervousness/tension.
Also practice games like (in pool) Equal Offense or X-Ball are good. If there are still open tournaments in the next few weeks (e. g. house tournaments), join in, that is a good training.
I am looking forward to further hints and suggestions for a good tournament preparation!
© Photo: kkirugi
