Once you have pocketed your first ball, ran your first rack, beaten someone you look up to, and so on, you are destined for the moment that fear comes into play. We are all familiar with the cliche, "there is nothing to fear but fear itself." In billiards, just like every other aspect of our lives, conditioned response to positive outcomes creates an innate sense of fear. I don't want to lose that job, that car, or whatever it might be. In the last year, I have started focusing more on my mental game, on acknowledging the emotions I feel when I play. As much as I hate to admit it, I know that fear is HUGE.
Being afraid to lose and having a passion to win are two very different sides of the same coin. While one makes us tentative, the other makes us aggressive. Until I won my first championship, I was never afraid of losing, of being beaten by somebody that no one expected me to lose to. It's a complicated process, but ultimately once you start winning in this game, the expectation to win against this player or that player pulls you from the essential element to actually winning, and that is absolute, complete presence. Some call it Zen, others call it mindfulness, but ultimately when a thought comes to mind that creates a sense of fear, as a person you must establish an understanding of why it does so, otherwise you are destined to repeat...
There are many strategies for dealing with fear of failure, but during competition the only techniques that I have found to work for me are breathing exercises and misdirection, both of which force me to focus on this moment only. If I am losing focus and feel the fear creeping in, I focus on the coolness of breath while I breathe in through my nose. While seated in your chair, close your eyes and breathe. On inhalation, you feel the cool breath across the nostrils... This can force presence. Also, I have a rock that I carry with me. If the breathing isn't working, I will take it from my pocket and put it in my shoe or bra (yes, this second option won't be available to men). Whatever you can do to create the sensation of feeling something that is only here and now is the key.
When you place value on the outcome, as opposed to the process, you introduce fear. Hesitation and doubt will keep many players from ever achieving their full potential. There is no secret to dealing with it. Be mindful and present, let the chips fall where they may. Happy shooting!
