How to stay focused when playing Smash?

[epicmartin7]

My big problem when I play any Smash iteration is that I mostly play CPU's (since my friends don't really play Smash Bros.). Of course that limits me at getting better as the CPU's have a pattern people can easily figure out while any other person can just change his/her pattern. I've tried to play online as well which has worked a little, but there is lag involed with the match which causes me to get frustrated and lose focus. My main priority is seeing if I have more people I can face against to improve my skills, but is there any way I could re-focus and not get frustrated if I lose? I believe my frustration comes from me being too competitive at things. Which does hinder my focus. My whole goal is to get more involved into the smash community and get at a better competitive level (not too competitive) .

 

[CHA0SPHERE]

Relax, you're taking things too seriously.
If you feel yourself becoming frustrated, take a break and drink some tea/smoke/jack off, or whatever you do for stress relief.

Then, when you do stumble upon a player with a decent connection, send them a friend request and arrange some sets together. Learning with someone you can communicate with is a great benefit.

 

[epicmartin7]

@ CHA0SPHERE : Er... I usually take a break after I get frustrated. Mostly just play a different game to get my mind off of it. Its nothing really serious, I was just frustrated when making that post . I'll probably just try to get my friends to play on the 3DS version since it has less lag at a direct connection. So I'm good. Thanks for the advice though :D. EDIT: Also, welcome to SmashBoards!

 

[Octagon]

This might sound weird but just focus. Like really hard. Block out everything except the game and every move you do. Don't think about that pretty girl in your history class or your dinner tonight or your work but just the smash game you are in at that moment. It works and relives stress

 

[Saikyoshi]

<( How about some deep breathing?

That wasn't a joke – go to Training Mode a bit follow the blue circle on Wii Fit Studio Ω until it's a reflex. Remembering that breathing pattern's a good way to stop yourself from freaking out.

 

[erico9001]

My Pokémon characteristic is: Often lost in thought

It makes me lose focus. Ever try fighting off thoughts when trying to go sleep? It's kind of like that. Thankfully, I can somewhat multitask due to piano playing. Also, things that happen in Smash Bros can distract me back into focusing on the game, unlike sleeping.

I've made some changes to help me focus, such as changing all the music so only the most blood pumping stuff plays. This helps to activate that sympathetic nervous system -> focus. Though, the true solution is I should probably start meditating.

 

[AfterburnDeity]

Focus on the movement of your opponent as well as yourself.

 

[RorschachDM]

I have this same problem. I can't focus on the game for longer than like 30 minutes to an hour when I'm by myself trying to train, but if friends are over I could play for hours non-stop. I just need more and better friends to play with I think. I can't do online. The lag drives me insane.

 

[CHA0SPHERE]

@ CHA0SPHERE : Er... I usually take a break after I get frustrated. Mostly just play a different game to get my mind off of it. Its nothing really serious, I was just frustrated when making that post . I'll probably just try to get my friends to play on the 3DS version since it has less lag at a direct connection. So I'm good. Thanks for the advice though :D. EDIT: Also, welcome to SmashBoards!

Haha, thanks!

Honestly, fighting against lag & getting frustrated over lag are trivial, pointless matters, especially when it's in such abundance. You can just SD, back out of the match and search for another player, there's plenty around.

All I can suggest is that you try to optimize your connection to the best of your ability. Get an Ethernet adapter and ensure your network traffic is kept to a minimum.
Also, see if you can figure out what time(s) people within your region are likely to be online. For me, the window is 5pm - 11pm. Any later and things start to get really ugly.

I reside in the UK, which means that I face a somewhat lacking user-base in comparison to the rest of Europe. So a good 60% of the time, I'm facing overseas opponents and thus experiencing lag on a frequent basis. While this completely sucks, it's also created an ample pool for me to experience lagged matches enough to cope with them, so I can fight in less than desirable conditions.

So you have two choices, avoid lagged matches to the best of your ability or endure enough lagged matches to cope with them.

...And remember, patience is a virtue.