Staying calm under pressure

[J Anderson]

I guess I should have worded it, Don't even pick up the ball, until the body (and mind) is ready.

Not really. To my mind, (my opinion only!) the body is not ready to throw the ball until it is in the right spot on the approach, in the stance with eyes focused on the target. Pretty hard to do without having the ball in your hands.

The body being ready should take about the same amount of time whether it's the first frame of a meaningless practice game with nothing at stake, the ninth or tenth frame of a close game with a championship or money on the line or the twelfth ball after the first 11 strikes. The mind is what must deal with the added pressure. Once the mind is at the correct balance of calm yet energized, the physical set up should take its normal time. If you normally set up fast you shouldn't take significantly more time under pressure. If you're normally very deliberate, translated s-l-o-w, you shouldn't rush.

[Mudpuppy]

My strategy is to keep all things the same - if you walk up, grab the ball, towel it off, wait for your turn, get lined up and target an arrow or board do it exactly the same every time. That helps me focus. If I start to feel the pressure I will close my eyes and visualize the strike before I throw it.