Cherry Bomb Chronicles: Confidence Prevails

Author: Samm Diep © May 2008

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Confidence is something that can not be taught. You don’t pick it up by reading books or watching videos. Sometimes, you don’t even know when you have it. Confidence happens with the ideal equipment, the right opponent, and the perfect conditions. We can not control any of those things, but when we feel it, we just have to ride it out.

I recently watched the smooth, deliberate Tyler Edey storm through the 2008 BCAPL 9-Ball Challenge. Tyler is currently ranked 21st on the BCA Men’s Professional Points List. One of my favorite things about Tyler’s game is that his tempo and pre-shot routine are always the same. This leads to consistency in every single shot. The acceleration of his cue tip through the cue ball is so smooth and his delivery is so accurate nearly every time. When you’ve worked hard and put in the time it’s much easier to have the confidence to trust your mechanics.

Last year, Tyler finished second in this same event. When I spoke with him before the finals this year, I asked if he felt any different from last year. He said he was feeling really confident at the table. What does “confident” mean to him? It’s tough to believe that pros don’t feel confident all the time.

When we watch them, they make everything look so easy and effortless. I interviewed Tyler to get some more insight to this phenomenon.

Q: How do you define confidence?

A: “Confidence is being completely sure of what you’re doing, being able to make a decision fast and sticking with it with no fear of missing or anything else. Just complete confidence.”

Q: How do you know when you’re feeling confident?

A: “I just know everything’s going right for me, or I’m feeling like it is anyway. Everything seems easier. The balls go into the pockets easier. The pockets look bigger. Everything just works.”

Q: What preparation have you taken to help you feel more confident?

A: “I really try to work on my mental game with some programs from Dr. Cohn’s audio CD series (The Focused Athlete, The Confident Athlete, and The Relaxed Athlete by Patrick J. Cohn, Ph.D.). His program goes over different things on how to build your confidence and work on your focus. That has really helped in the past.”

“And then I just try to remember how it was when I was young and cocky and playing completely for fun, when it didn’t matter if I won or lost. It was just great. I try to remember that feeling and just bring that back to my game.”

Q: Does having financial support from sponsors help your confidence level or put more pressure on you?

A: “My sponsors Longoni Cues and Corner Pocket Billiards in Red Deer have helped me out a lot, but it doesn’t cover all the bills so there is still some pressure there, but it definitely has taken a lot of the weight off.”

Q: As far as building your confidence level, do you feel that you’re more confident when you practice more or compete more?

A: “Both. Obviously competing more is better for me. When I get out there, it gives me a real feeling of how to work hard. When I’m practicing, it’s a different atmosphere and feeling. It’s harder to be accurate like that, but I like to stay in stroke and practice as much as possible. Even when I was at the Predator 10 Ball event, I was down at the pool hall everyday, practicing for a couple hours before my match.”

“Practicing will give you the confidence. It will help you make the balls but you need the competition to be able to keep that confidence while you are out there playing under the lights and playing when it matters.”

Q: What advice can you give a player that may be struggling with his/her confidence?

A: “You shoot the pool ball in between the rails and it will go in. It sounds kind of stupid but the game is simple. Keep it simple. Just play your own game. Don’t over-think things. Don’t over-worry about things. It’s just a little reminder to play confidently.” “I think that most people do try to over-analyze the game. They make it a lot more difficult than it is. So, I think you really have to just get back to playing unconsciously. Play your own game. Trust that things will go well. Just go through the process. Believe in yourself and just do it.”

Tyler also uses visualization techniques where he recalls times when he’s been ‘in the zone’ and playing completely confidently. He remembers that feeling and tries to relive it as often as possible. He also practices daily when he’s at home. Even when he’s on the road competing in tournaments, he finds a local pool room to practice at everyday. These are all ways to help Tyler build his confidence level.

Ultimately, your confidence comes from within. No one else can make you more confident. You can’t force yourself to feel confident but you can focus on the times that you were feeling confident and replay those experiences in your mind. The more we focus on confidence, the more natural it becomes. Have faith in yourself and your own abilities. Regardless of the outcome, believe in yourself. Your confidence will prevail.