Pre-tournament "warm up" affecting your game?

[Not_A_Flaker]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate platform for this but it's been in my mind for weeks, honestly.. I wanted to get some thoughts on something that's come up a few times for me before tournaments or big league nights.

A couple of times recently, I've noticed a real difference in my play depending on whether I've been with my girlfriend right before heading out. Sometimes, like this past weekend at a local tournament, I felt great, super relaxed, and honestly played some of my best pool, keeping up with some of the top players. I don't mind losing if I'm playing my absolute best.

But then other times, I've felt completely drained, like I'm running on empty, and my concentration and energy just aren't there. I've definitely blamed low energy and focus for some poor performances.

I know it's not like we're doing aggressive sports but I'm just curious what other players here feel about "doing the deed" before a match day. Has anyone noticed a clear impact, positive or negative? Do you or would you ever consciously choose to abstain before a big competition? I'm not really looking to turn it down, but I am genuinely wondering about the common wisdom or personal experiences out there.

 

[creative-fly131]

Some people avoid doing it before games to stay focused while others say it helps them stay calm. I guess for you since you've tried both, maybe try tracking how you feel before each event? Keep in mind that things like sleep, stress, and prep matter too. See what works for you

 

[Curtis_30]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate platform for this but it's been in my mind for weeks, honestly.. I wanted to get some thoughts on something that's come up a few times for me before tournaments or big league nights.

A couple of times recently, I've noticed a real difference in my play depending on whether I've been with my girlfriend right before heading out. Sometimes, like this past weekend at a local tournament, I felt great, super relaxed, and honestly played some of my best pool, keeping up with some of the top players. I don't mind losing if I'm playing my absolute best.

But then other times, I've felt completely drained, like I'm running on empty, and my concentration and energy just aren't there. I've definitely blamed low energy and focus for some poor performances.

I know it's not like we're doing aggressive sports but I'm just curious what other players here feel about "doing the deed" before a match day. Has anyone noticed a clear impact, positive or negative? Do you or would you ever consciously choose to abstain before a big competition? I'm not really looking to turn it down, but I am genuinely wondering about the common wisdom or personal experiences out there.

This is actually a pretty common topic that comes up in sports psychology so it's not a weird questions at all! You're probably the first one to ask here but lots of athletes, not just in pool, have wondered about this for years.

Like @creative-fly131 said, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this as you've probably noticed from your own experience. For some, the pre-game relaxation can be a real benefit. For others, the physical and emotional expenditure can be a real factor.

It's good that you're already noticing patterns because I think the best way is to really pay close attention to your own body and mind. You might find that the timing, or maybe even the stress level in your relationship at the time, has a bigger impact than the act itself. The key is to figure out what works for you personally and then stick with that routine before your big matches. Maybe it's also worth discussing with your partner!