I always get nervous in matches and end up choking

[Sure Dave]

Any tips on how to stay calm during matches?

 

[teeman92]

have you read the sezure warnings? it came with the gamecube box, im not sure how to stop it,go see your doctor/physicsain..

 

[bboylawson]

happens to me all the time in tourneys.. but once i take them down a few stock i get more relaxed

 

[pikachun00b7]

Breath normally.
Just remember one thing "They suck." Keep that mindset will raise your confidence. Don't make moves based on pressure.

 

[jmic]

This happened to me for my first like 4 tournaments. My problem was not warming up enough in friendlies. If you're into music, bring your iPod and listen to it at a comfortable volume level. My last tournament that I attended, I significantly did better, even while being pummeled by my idol Falcon player (SilentSpectre). The music calmed me, and I was able to isolate the game, myself, and my opponent.

Everyone is different though. Just my two cents.

 

[mukoe890]

kinda loosen up. like dont start attacking right away. just run around the stage for a little bit. this especially helps if u havnt warmed up adequately or at all

 

[Anther]

Psh, I just convince myself that I pwn right while the countdown is on the screen. Then I accidentally suicide 5 seconds into the match.

 

[tshahi10]

i stay calm by not breathing at high points and not blinking at all. then after the match, i actually have to put these ,osturizers in my eye

 

[Luigi Ka-master]

Don't think about the pressure. Just think about whatever it takes to beat the other person. That will keep your mind occupied.

 

[Dylan_Tnga]

just focus on the match, and pay absolute attention to what your opponent is doing, and play to win. Ignore your emotion, rely on instinct

 

[Rapid_Assassin]

This is very common for people in their first few tournaments. Only solution here is practice.

 

[St. Viers]

^and by practice she means "go to tournies". Practicing at home doesn't help teh nerves. Which is why I bound to keep sucking, as I have almost no opportunity to go to tournies.

 

[Vall3y]

this is pretty normal to get excited and nervous
the more tournaments you attend, the better it becomes

 

[_umbra_]

I have the same problem... Both my nerves and my lack of confidence are terrible. Unless I face someone that I've been able to beat before, I go into the match expecting to lose. Then, I get all nervous, and lose all hope halfway through the match . Every time I face someone good (unless I play them often), I get all nervous and kill myself 1-2 times per match .

 

[Supreme Pie Ninja]

Read your opponent. As previously stated, don't start the match flying towards your foe with arms flailing. Sit back (hypothetically, unless your problem is eye strain), and spend the first bit of the match keeping it cool and avoiding attacks. This way, you will start learning about your opponent. Test them. See what they do when you use certain attacks/approaches/recoveries. Once you've somewhat established your opponent, then you have a much better chance of succedding, and it will at least calm you down a lot more, as most of the stress is not knowing jack about who you're fighting.

 

[golden_leeroy]

Think about something other than winning and losing, for example I play against my friend, I'm down a stock, I think ,"I wonder what's for dinner? I hope its chicken." and bam! I win via 1-stock.

 

[Supreme Pie Ninja]

Yes, Leeroy has a point. If you focus too much on winning, it will only stress you out more. But don't take it to the extreme and get absent-minded.

 

[CBNJ]

Just wavedash like crazy when he's far away, try to loosen up a little bit. Try listening to music too, that helps some people.

 

[TedBoosley]

Embrace the anxiety. That feeling in your chest during a really close match should be empowering you, not weakening you.

 

[teeman92]

ive never been in a torney(im not good enough,and none in my area)

i get nervous when people are looking at me play,i cool down though,

just say "woooooosaaah" "wooooosaah" just joking..

 

[PeachyPeach]

I would have to agree with the comment about music.

For me it calms me down and i can concentrate more. I can focus on other things besides being nervous and stressed.

 

[Repryx]

I'd say Just keep Playing until you are numb to the feeling

 

[xXGrieverXx (Hayate)]

Hmm... basically at tournies. I don't know why but if your nervous, you probably wanna win badly, right? Maybe not. When I'm nervous, I lose the concept of having fun and gain the feeling of winning.

lol that probably was useless so... For matches...

READ IF YOU EXPERIENCE UNCOMFORT BeFoRe THE MATCH!!!

Try and imagine that no one is there. look straight into the screen and block out any noises that distract you. Take some breaths and make them count. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Maybe talk with the person you're facing before the match to warm up a bit so you can get comfortable with them. Socializing with others is a good way to ease the nervousness =)

 

[Corigames]

I found out through people telling me that I'm much better as a defensive fighter than an aggro person. So I sit back, wait for them to come to me, and then punish them. Which is odd considering the whole samus thing. Now when I play, I can be much more relaxed and comfortable knowing what my play style is and how to use it. Plus, it gives me a chance to read how they play while they wonder why I am just standing there.

 

[MVPaintballer]

Confidence
Showboat
????
Profit!