find a routine, any routine, and just do the same routine you normally do for any game, before the big game.

before a pressure game you'll feel pumped and maybe a tad nervous... but heck, thats why we play the sport isn't it? i get off on that anticipation type feeling, personally.

if you find yourself or someone round you getting a bit too nervous, it sometimes helps to just think logically about whats about to happen... for example, when it comes down to it, nothing you can do will make any difference to the outcome of the game other than putting in all your effort. all your training has already been done, all your prep, everything is behind you and it's time to actually have the fun, and whatever happens happens.

or other such trains of thought to relieve a bit of pressure... maybe link a thought that relaxes you to a word and then after a bit of linking that word will have relaxing connotations for you.

theres heaps of little mindgames you can play with yourself. i guess everyone must have different ways of doing it... like, i fiddle with my gear constantly even though it all fits perfectly, it's just a habitual nervous reaction but it seems to keep me focussed.

but i have to say, entering the game like a pitbull would have to be one of the things i think is a really bad thing, for any player, irrespective of their playing style. i accept there may be players out there that might find it works for them to be really fired up, but essentially doing that without switching off the brain entirely is a very fine line to tread... i don't know many players who can do it while staying intelligent.

hang on this is a different thread now isn't it?