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Pool glossary · Practice & Mental Game

Choking

Also called: Choke, Dogging it

How do you stop choking in pool?

Choking is performing worse under pressure than in practice — usually through tension, a faster or shorter stroke and a broken routine. You reduce it by rehearsing pressure in practice and sticking to a fixed pre-shot routine.

Step by step

  1. 1Notice the signs: grip tightening, rushing, quick backswing.
  2. 2Breathe out slowly before getting down.
  3. 3Run your full pre-shot routine without skipping steps.
  4. 4Commit to the stroke, not the outcome.
  5. 5In practice, add consequences to drills so pressure becomes familiar.

In more detail

Pool players call it 'dogging' a shot. The cure is not 'try harder' but trusting a process you have practised: breathe, routine, deliver.

People also ask

Why do I play worse in matches than in practice?

Pressure changes tempo and tension. Practice with stakes and a consistent routine narrows the gap.

Train it at the table

More guides on choking