Sounds like it’s a bit about expectations. I used to put pressure on myself because I wanted to impress people and prove what I was capable of. Now my focus is different. Instead of chasing results, I focus on recreating the feeling of throwing a great boule. I measure success by the quality of my gesture and how consistently I can repeat it. I’m able to stay relaxed and focused at the same time. When you’re outcome focused, your mind drifts to the result, your opponents, or what might go wrong. That mindset makes it hard to bring in new bits you’ve been training to as your more likely to default to the old. Before every throw, I ask myself: 1. What’s the plan? 2. Where am I landing it? 3. What does the shot look like? That clarity helps me visualise the shot, stay present, and block out everything else. After that, it’s about trust. If you truly trust yourself, doubt has no space. Your mind can’t hold a positive and negative thought at the same time. It’s impossible. The key is also how you react to each shot. Your reaction shapes the emotion and type of focus you carry into the next one. Learn to respond well and repeat it until it becomes a habit. Shift your focus from “I must play well” to “I will execute this shot well.” The rest takes care of itself. "I trust myself"

I played against Julian Lamour last year in Jersey in a final. He’s an ex world champ and I know he’s a great player. I definitely changed my approach based on this. Instead of pointing close to the coche I was purposely playing a boule wide and taking the game to him. The point I’m trying to make is that emotionally, yes you are playing the boule on the ground but your opponents are definately a factor to consider. I’d opt for the shot. Unless you put yourself in those situations and learn to stay calm, relaxed, present. It’s difficult to grow and learn from. I see it as an opportunity. Of course it will be disappointing if I miss but that’s part of the journey. If however I’m off form and not hitting a lot then I may not be as confident. In that sensario in a game with something on the line, I could also see myself pointing. Your gut/subconsciousness plays a huge part here. If you tell a player to shoot knowing it’s the right shot but they visibly look uncomfortable with the idea, then the likelihood is they will miss. There must always be balance with the decesion made to manifest that result.

Gl Kevin, everyone feels nerves. When you become more present, you learn to understand those nerves can be used as a positive trigger to help remind you what you need to do.

Try to relax your movement a little. When you’re tense, your throwing arm will often lead the motion and pull you off balance. If you’re right-handed, this usually means missing to the right. By softening the movement and keeping it subtle, you’ll maintain much better balance. Don’t focus on hitting the boule—focus on being present and feeling how the boule moves through your gesture. Combined with filming yourself and reviewing it, this should help you understand what your body is actually doing.

@Jimmy Skog There’s mainly 2 phases in Petanque. The thinking, I.e What are you trying to achieve. Whats the plan, where are you trying to land it, what does the shot look like. This should help build a mental image in your mind. The second part is the actual action. Well your subconscious knows what you want to do, you’ve just mentally rehearsed that. The second part is all about having trust in yourself and believing so your mind should be in a calmer state before you perform the action. A busy mind interferes with the subconscious part of the mind which is in use when you throw the boule. Often less is better. If you believe in yourself, you’ll notice any doubt disappear. @Kevin ORourke has some good wisdom touching on this in some of his boule mind series videos.