How to control emotion

[LordoftheMorning]

Maybe this doesn't hold true for everyone, but my abilities in competition are majorly dependent on my emotions. Once I lose heart, I lose the game, and I lose heart all too easily. I also make stupid mistakes when I'm nervous. This is also a really big problem since the first round of a match usually makes me pretty nervous. From there, if I lose, my morale will be down and I'll likely lose the second round as well. My very best play is done when I'm practically on the brink of laughter or am very calm.

This is a major problem for someone like me. Due to the intense nature of some tournament rounds, being able to control my emotions may be even more important than skill or matchup.

So... How do you keep a clear head in a tournament? In my opinion, this is a very worthwhile topic, and I'll try to collect ideas and quote people to make a write-up in the OP based on the replies I get.

GO!

 

[Omni]

I think this is a really good thread topic. I understand exactly how you feel.

You just gotta' remember this is a video game. If I win, cool. If I lose, oh well. I'mma play my best, but it's not that big of a deal if I lose.

That mentality makes me a lot less tense. Just remembering this game is about having fun.

It also helps to have a sense of humor about things.

 

[MBreeto]

I also feel really nervous when I get ready to have an important match, but that isn't what gets me emotionally. Anger/frustration is a big issue for me. For example, I have a hard time dealing with spammers, like falco and pit, so instead of trying to think of a way to play effectively against the spam (react to the situation), I just get mad and end up making stupid mistakes and giving them free damage.

 

[Fragment Crossing]

I also lose heart very quickly.

I guess the best thing to do is to stay calm and look on the positive side of things, never think that your gonna lose, tell yourself that you'll try your best to win.

 

[The Irish Mafia]

everyone has conditions they play best in

My buddy likes playing when he's tired
I personally like playing really cold (not temperature-wise, but no prior playing)
I play best when I'm really stressed, if we're discussing this emotionally.

 

[ShinTwist ScreamPaste]

I can't play worth **** nless I'm in a good mood, ironicly I play my best drunk.

I created my own AT for the Lnk community, BEER CANCELLING. (tm)

 

[Grmo]

I don't know. I just do it somehow. I get angry very occasionally if someone is being really, really ****ing stupid and annoying, but when that happens I usually step it up and play much better. I think it's all just about good mindset. Once a good mindset has become habit, it's easy.

 

[xXRoYXx]

Keep a good head on your shoulders, if you do get caught up in a spam match, or anymatch that you know you are at a disadvantage, pay attention to the smaller things that you could use to get ahead.

 

[Teran]

I tend to play best when I semi clown around. If I don't try too hard, then I play better. I think by getting so absorbed and focused, I make silly mistakes and just get frustrated and lose my edge. By just relaxing, I can observe the game better, and I'm usually better at punishing mistakes if I take it easy, because I find it humorous.

I guess the fact that lulz are always something I strive for can help my game lol.

 

[Rubyiris]

One mentality I can't stand when it comes to games that are competitive is the "It's just a game!" mentality. If this were "Just a game.", there wouldn't be tournaments. There wouldn't be cash prizes. Being a casual player, and being a competitive player are two different worlds. Both are fine in their own way, but neither world should impose on the other. To competitive gamers, It's not just a game. It's WHY competitive gamers get bent out of shape. It's WHY competitive gamers feel pressure at tournaments. And also; Being casual is not the only way to have fun. Competition is what makes a game fun for many competitive players. Sure there are some competitive players who are ONLY in it for the money. These are usually the best of the best, who hate the game, but only play because they are so good at the game, and continue to make money, that they may as well continue.

On topic: Being well-fed works wonders on managing a proper mindset. It's immensely difficult to manage a neutral mindset if you're hungry. There are alot of techniques and strategies that can be used as stress relievers, but it all depends on the person. Some people may enjoy talking during the match. Some may enjoy listening to music.

 

[KevinM]

Tournaments are as much a mental toll as they are physically demanding (Not in the ran in a mile sense but the staying up late for your later rounds if you make it and normally doing it off not the best meals.) You have to learn to be able to play on point regardless of the adversities you face, it's what separates the mid tier players from the high placers.

 

[BBQ°]

I just went to my first tournament last weekend, and I really realized how many factors affect the outcome of the match. The game in a tournament setting goes further than mind games, character matchups, and stage counter picks. There are other things like your current mentality, morale, and nerves. I entered the losers’ bracket by losing to Kismet2 – the best Brawler in GA and one of the best Falcos in the nation. His skill was quite overwhelming and shocking, and I went into my losers’ bracket match still fazed. I lost to a player who I knew I could take down in any other setting, but my morale was low and I made tons of mistakes that I’ve never made before. It didn’t help that half way through our second match, I realized this was my final chance to stay in the tournament, and I got super nervous… to the point where I was shaking. Luckily I was able to calm myself by mentally slowing down the pace of the match. I realized that if I wanted to stop making mistakes, I would have to clear my mind and actually start playing again instead of going through the motions. Unfortunately it was already too late in the match for me to make any sort of come back, and it was all over.

Moral of the story: Give yourself some breathing room during and in between matches. Your opponent won’t get mad if you take some extra time during counter picks. It’s ok to stay on the respawn platform until your invincibility goes away. Catch yourself going in auto-pilot before it’s too late.
Maybe if you have time during your tournament matches, you can get a quick match with any scrubs to boost your esteem.

 

[Geist]

Get used to our tourney scene and get to know everyone. It helps calm your nerves down, as well as other benefits.
The only problem I have is a big match verses a well known player. I don't get distraught, I just get overly excited. I also have this thing with trying too hard. When I do that, it's SDs all over the place and everything becomes a mess. Just chill and make sure you don't lose your self esteem.

I personally love losing. It helps as a measurable barrier to what I can, and eventually will be able to do. It can be pretty inspirational at times. You also learn so much more if you can understand why you lose. I could probably learn as much from losing a match to a better player as I could if he was methodically shouting out my flaws mid-match.

 

[BBQ°]

I personally love losing. It helps as a measurable barrier to what I can, and eventually will be able to do. It can be pretty inspirational at times. You also learn so much more if you can understand why you lose. I could probably learn as much from losing a match to a better player as I could if he was methodically shouting out my flaws mid-match.

I love losing too, but only in friendly matches. You learn more by losing a match than winning one.

 

[Irsic]

I noticed that I play at the top of my game when my mindset is to impress the person I'm playing with my abilities.

As opposed to I should be confident enough to win, I tend to make stupid mistakes and pretty much epic fail all around.

 

[MyNiggaNameDante]

I would suggest, pure-ly based on being a veteran smasher, than you should go in the direction of

An Hero if you are having a hard time controlling your emotion, it just seems like the right thing to do y'know

 

[marth126]

Its good to get up in peoples face
just make sure they don't attack u in the parking lot after

 

[FalseFalco]

Its good to get up in peoples face
just make sure they don't attack u in the parking lot after

lol

go to more tournaments to get better at controlling choking/emotions.

 

[SKnickers03]

its true that a person's performance is greatly determined by their ability to remain poised...emotion often times outweighs great skill.

Its a catch 22 really...you need to win matches consistently to get the confidence you need to win matches

i really dont know the secret to it, sometimes i think you either have that kind of confidence or you dont. I envy people who can play with high levels of confidence no matter what happens. but that probably means they've won hundreds of times before.

Oh well...im in this boat too, so at least your not alone

 

[Sukai]

Do alot of friendlies beforehand.
The nervousness will remain in like a small remnant, but you'll have the experience of short term practice behind you.
You'll feel a little more prepared, and more confident.

It's also a good idea to talk to your opponent, or just people around the place, be friendly, acquaint yourself, you'll feel better if you get to know your opponent personally before fighting them.

 

[Llumys]

I prefer not thinking about anything other than the game. I think in order to keep strong heart, you need to accept mistakes, learn from them, and just have fun.

 

[Vlade]

Some people find that listening to music in between matches can help calm you down. It's best not to listen to it while you play though.

Otherwise, the main point of a tournament is to have fun. Socialise with the other people there since pretty much everyone in this community is cool <3

If you have fun, you can be relaxed.

 

[DarkLouis331]

My mentality is usually at its worst during the first round of a tournament. I get really nervous. But if I win that, that momentum carries over into the next rounds.

1st real tourney: I almost finished dead last...I won my first round but that itself was a struggle. I didn't think that I deserved that win, so I lost my next 2 matches.

2nd tourney: I made it all the way to 5th place with Wolf out of 20ish people, not bad at all.

3rd tourney: I got 3rd place out of 32 :D

Anger can go either way...I usually get more aggressive, which leads to awesome combos or me getting punished lol

 

[DemonFart]

Losing=crying like a baby.

LOL,I always try to focus and keep a strong mind but its hard sometimes

 

[tyrone]

What I try to remember for any tournament is that the environment may have changed, but it’s still the same game that I’ve practiced at home in my brief’s scratching my balls…….and I don’t scratch my balls for just for anything.

Also I try everything in tournaments that I’ve practiced at home. At first I was very timid and played too safe (not going for anything risky), but the first tourney I tried something daring (and killed myself) I felt like a dog loose from his leash, and just busted out everything I knew, and tied up the match. I ended up losing, but about 5 minutes after it my opponent’s hands were still shaking from it and that made my day.

 

[Bakithi]

Good topic...

I get nervous at the first match of the set only if I'm fighting someone new. If not, I'm chill. I'll play badly if I start to think for one second that I'm having a bad day. If not, I'm chill. If alot is riding on the match, I'll play hard, and not let my emotions distract me. If not, I'm chill.

Indeed, I love the word "chill".

:}

 

[OniTheWolf]

Competitive play feeds off emotion. For example, I was at my second offline tourney on Friday, and I won my first match and my second match, I got that boost of confidence because I felt that I was there to impress, and make a name for 13 year old Toon Links. I ended up playing my best. My emotions immediately when downhill when I was matched up against a clan mate who mained Snake. I got nervous, and I got killed, only doing 44%, I got evne more nervous, and try to gather myself togethor on the edge while contanstly teathering. I eventually hit A too early and I SDed. During the last stock, I was able to gather myself togethor and managed to take off 1 stock. Finally, I became nervous again when I was at 120-130%, and he killed me with an FTilt. It was a single elimination tourney, so, if you lose, you lose : /

I really can't say how you control your emotion. There are normal feelings that you feel at local tournaments like nervousness. I guess the only way you can get over these feelings is to play in more tourneys, thus, getting you used to the competitive smash scene in your area.

 

[AvaricePanda]

Listening to music before and after matches helps, but I don't have an iPod. D:

I tend not to play badly or nervously when I'm up against someone with nearly equal skill or who's better than me. Even if I lose, I feel like I tried my hardest and learned, so I'm generally happy. But when I lose to some random spammy Pit/Wolf, I'm not so happy.

At any rate, play confidently. Usually when you play safely or turn on autopilot, you fall into traps and predictable decisions that you wouldn't have playing normally.

 

[LLDL]

If you play, and suddenly realize that the person you're fighting is better than you. Just remember to respect that person for their skill instead of getting mad or sad that you can't beat them. That always tends to clear everyone's mind, and lighten their shoulders a bit. Then, you can focus on doing your best and may even be able to make a comeback since there aren't any hard feelings in the way.

 

[Rain(ame)]

Play like you have nothing to lose. ESPECIALLY if you're in a bad mental state. A lot of times with that mentality...you can turn a match around REAL quick. It doesn't take much, especially if you're up against people that are better than you. If you don't have an issue doing well with confidence....then go for it. Otherwise...play like you have nothing to lose when you're mentally beat. You'd be surprised how well you'll do in that state of mind. It's that button that says "go all out".

 

[Gooperman]

I dance or pull back my bow, it relaxes me, :O and by bow i mean archery bow

 

[joeplicate]

not your c0ck?

 

[The Cunning Weasel]

People who make noise usually annoy me. Like if it's a close match and they make grunts. Dude chill out, lol

 

[idea]

You just gotta' remember this is a video game. If I win, cool. If I lose, oh well. I'mma play my best, but it's not that big of a deal if I lose.

this only works in the short-term, though. smash is one of a small number of things that make me nervous, and it's because i care how i do. it's important to me. so there is an actual risk in losing. for most things in life i can shrug them off easily enough; if stuff happens, so be it, no reason to get so bothered by it.

i guess the other thing is that with smash, it's so clearly your fault when you start screwing up. it's never just the way things turned out; it's something you did wrong that could have been avoided.

that said...getting nervous easily is a relic from when people used to all live in jungles and forests and such, and had to constantly worry about predators. the feeling really doesn't serve much purpose anymore. so logically, there's no advantage to feeling stressed out. it only makes things worse. thus; don't feel that way. this doesn't always work, but it's a good point either way.

Get used to our tourney scene and get to know everyone. It helps calm your nerves down, as well as other benefits.

The only problem I have is a big match verses a well known player. I don't get distraught, I just get overly excited. I also have this thing with trying too hard. When I do that, it's SDs all over the place and everything becomes a mess. Just chill and make sure you don't lose your self esteem.

I personally love losing. It helps as a measurable barrier to what I can, and eventually will be able to do. It can be pretty inspirational at times. You also learn so much more if you can understand why you lose. I could probably learn as much from losing a match to a better player as I could if he was methodically shouting out my flaws mid-match.

- yeah.
- i'm the opposite actually. vs. a player i consider better than myself, i'm fine, because i'm not expecting to win. so there's no pressure. so i play well, and at the same time, they feel pressured because they should be beating me. it's so weird how psychological smash can get. more recently i've just been going into matches not expecting to win, ever. and that seems to be working out =)
- i don't like it, but i mind it very little. losing is definitely very educational.


/wall of text

 

[Nasanieru]

Get more experience playing vs people you don't know. Go to arcades and play people over and over. Also playing tonnes of friendlies in tournament will help too. After awhile you'll forget that you're even playing another human opponent, challengers will seem natural.

I used to have nerves in tourney too and it wrecked my game, this is how I got over it.

 

[OmegaXF]

Go with a goal. And try to fulfill. But most importantly play like your regular self. It's only normal since everyone else will be doing so also.

 

[Alus]

The secret is to not give a crap if you lose....