I played 2 comps today on the back of losing 13/12 twice yesterday in a triples. The first was singles which I really enjoy! First game was against a French junior champion. I was in control, pointing well and shooting well. I was 9/2 up and confident. Then a couple of huge misses at key points where if I hit I would score 3 but miss and lose 1. Then a bad end where I got 2 atrocious kicks from hidden stones and I found myself 10/9 down. I attacked and shot and carreau twice but miss the 3rd. Same thing in the next end and eventually lost 13/12 😡 Second game was a carbon copy of the first except it was a local champion who only missed 1 shot the entire game. We went toe to toe until 10/10 when I shot and carreau twice but missed the 3rd! He eventually beats me 13/12 🤬 Into doubles in the afternoon with a great local player who shoots from a squat position. Tough draw again and we lose 13/12🤬🤬🤬🤬I play 90% and he plays 80% but the opposition play better. Next game exactly the same happens against a strong Catalan team and despite playing 95% we lose 13/12! I can’t believe I lost every game to the same score. What are the lessons after this There are no guarantees in life, I can play perfect boule and still lose. The boule gods didn’t shine on me and after a 3 hour game and 15 dead ends the choice of jack placement was VIP. I hit drawn into a game I was uncomfortable with, I listened to the crowd that was partisan and should have played my own game. What lessons did you have from this weekend?

I have heard many times that the best players can use stress to their advantage. I am not able to do that, and I would love to understand and make progress on this matter.

Is there any difference in how different brand boules react or do they all travel/spin/bounce/stop the same?

I played the team of Hatchadorian/Riviera/Fernandez with a scratch team at Valréas last weekend in the afternoon session. My team was pretty good and we gelled quite well for a scratch team. I was pointing on a tough surface and playing 90-95% and I had managed to hit the shots I had to. So going into the afternoon we were confident. Then after a mix of barrage and a 4 hour wait we saw the draw. My team mates were intimidated but I was up for the challenge and truly excited. First end we played 5 perfect points and they shot well 5 times. The last boule was a miss by my shooter and we lost 1. So a decent start. Every end after that was pretty much rinse a repeat. We point well, they hit well but we find ourselves 10-0 down. So we change tactic and attack and shoot 6 and score 4. I miss my last shot by millimetres but it’s a miss. Next end my shooter misses once and casquette once. We are in trouble and I have to shoot the bouchon. I miss the first time but shoot well and the next is a shot that I prefer not to mention. So we lose and the lessons are interesting. They were totally relaxed until we attacked back. Then the cracks started to surface. This means when I meet them again I’ll play a different game in terms of boule placement. When the crowd was gathering after the first end they were under immense pressure. The Irishman as I’m now known was playing well and as an unknown I held an advantage. In future I’ll press that uncertainty even more. I should have used the crowd more. They were vulnerable at exactly 6 meters which my team didn’t want to play as they preferred longer distances. They don’t shoot a boule behind the bouchon. No matter how close it is. It’s an accepted rule in France. This makes them vulnerable and exposes a great opportunity to pressure the pointer and middle. They are not invincible and with the right team and lessons learnt I’m sure I could either beat them or score many more points

I've recorded some good videos this week once I started to feel better. I had cancelled my filming schedule which gave me ample tie to focus on some lessons. These will be release one the next 2-3 days and I'd appreciate your thoughts on them and if you want a specific video recorded to address any issue you might have in the game. Here is one I recorded specifically for @Zac Kelly-lord https://youtu.be/fusFNESYDhQ?si=_iAapY54TGrG0Lca