Nervous during competitive battles.

[MDAVE]

Hey all. I figured this was the best place to post my issue, I hope it is at least, lol.
Perhaps you might have been in the same place or can relate to this, and even better, might have a solution to it.

So for the past few years I noticed that I get really nervous and start shaking during serious competitive matches. I went to a brawl tourney around 4/5 years ago and immediately lost both matches right away because of this. Nowadays I still find myself, even online in For Glory, experience this sometimes. I know this means lack of focus, but I have to do something about it and I have no idea what! Imagine going higher up in the charts and having a bunch of people behind me while playing in tourneys, how am I ever gonna cope and hold my focus?

Do you guys possibly have any tips to keep your focus during important matches? (I noticed this only happens when I play smash, no other competitive game.)

What do you all do to keep your focus?

Thanks in advance,
- MDAVE

 

[Chinaux]

I usually shake while playing so at least you don't look insane. Honestly you need to be confident in yourself and how you play.

 

[gmBottles]

I sometimes will get really into it and shake or move when a move connects, things like Bowser's fsmash or Jigglypuff's rest. I guess its pretty normal, I know several people who do the same thing.

 

[Chinaux]

I sometimes will get really into it and shake or move when a move connects, things like Bowser's fsmash or Jigglypuff's rest. I guess its pretty normal, I know several people who do the same thing.

This. Though usually when I win and I was nervous during the match I will likely pop off. Lol, I feel bad when I pop off but it just makes the feeling of winning better.

 

[Teran]

If you're not nervous it means you don't care. It's more a case of channeling the nerves into heightening your focus and feeding off the situation.

 

[Chinaux]

If you're not nervous it means you don't care.

I disagree. It means you're not confident enough.

 

[Teran]

I disagree. It means you're not confident enough.

Nerves aren't a sign of fear, they're a sign that you inherently recognise the importance of what you're going to be doing.

Ask any performer or athlete, it doesn't matter how amazing you are, every time you step out onto the grand stage, your insides twist into a knot. You're supposed to feed off it.

 

[MDAVE]

Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate it a lot. I think you make a great point, Teran!
So, I have to put those same nerves to use as fuel for a better focus?

 

[Teran]

So, I have to put those same nerves to use as fuel for a better focus?

Pretty much! You'll actually find that your technical ability generally remains intact, but the rashness and being quick to panic are what ruin things.

You need to remind yourself that you know what you're doing, and instead focus on watching your opponent. Being nervous actually makes you more perceptive to things, but because people focus too much on themselves this increased perceptiveness actually backfires, where you make mountains out of the molehills that are your minor mistakes.

Focus on your opponent during the match and you'll see yourself get massively better ha.

 

[MDAVE]

Thank you, this really helped me. I'd definitely put it to use in near future situations when this occurs. :]

 

[WorldKnownThief]

I had the same issue, that's why now I play with headphones. Listening to music helps me put less focus on my nerves and more onto to the music ( which is usually hype music) and that helps me get into the game with confidence. Closing your eyes and taking deep breathes help, you can try this if you want.

Oh p.s just have fun, laugh off the deaths, you'll be more relaxed and probably scare you opponent in some way aha

 

[deadPhoenix]

I used to have the same issues. I would get very nervous during tournaments, very nervous while performing music on stage, etc. All I can say is the only way I got over it, was to force myself to do those things extremely often to the point where I just finally got used to doing those things and got comfortable in those situations. If you get nervous playing For Glory matches on Sm4sh, play them a lot, eventually you won't be nervous anymore. If you get nervous at tournaments, go to every tournament you can, eventually you won't be nervous at tournaments anymore.

 

[MDAVE]

Haven't had any trouble with laughing off losses, luckily. I mean, we can't forget about the fun part while playing a game, right? It shouldn't all be 100% serious. I think that goes for every performance in terms of music, games and all that. We do it because we want to have fun, at least that's why we started doing it. Right?

I like the way you think, deadPhoenix. Making yourself get used to the feeling and eventually it'll be normal or will go away.

The best thing about you all is that I'm getting different views and perspectives from all of you, which will definitely help me solve this issue.

 

[T o r c h]

I have had this same problem as well in different things. I get the hand shakes like nobodies business if I am in front of people I don't know. Just focusing on the fun of the game and the remembering the camaraderie of the sport always helps! To quote the great Might Ducks 2, "Games are supposed to be fun!!"