Staying Loose Between Matches

[Vitamin X]

Another of the "I need help" series of topics, this is an issue I've had forever and I'm not sure who else has.

In all honesty, one of my least favorite things about Smash (and as a matter of fact, all tournament-level gaming I've been part of) is the idle time between one match and the next. I can't seem to ever get comfortable between matches, which always leaves my mind in an unhealthy state by time next match comes around. While this predictably is worse after losses than after wins, it's an issue that drains my tournament experience and adversly affects my performance.

How do you all stay comfortable from one match to the next in tournaments?

 

[choknater]

i like to try to remember that it is a game and that i am having fun. i am using two ****** children with my best friend's name on top of their heads and beating on cartoon characters.

if i'm not having fun there's no use

when it comes to tournaments, i know it sometimes feels like there is so much pressure there... but the nerves are something you can just get used to, especially if you experience it often enough. i always feel nervous still, but i can just try to convert that nervous energy into positive thoughts. "i am going to do my best."

it helps to not set too many unrealistic expectations for yourself. know how skilled you are, and tell yourself "i am going to win this for sure" or "there is a chance i'll lose this, but i think i'm better than this guy" or "i will probably lose this, but i will take this experience and learn from it."

it also helps to talk to homies about what youre feeling, like nerves and stuff. i always like the "good luck, you got this dude!" even if i know i will lose LOL

 

[odinNJ]

I make jokes about my character, drink some water. Watch a match. Invent a combo that I'll try

 

[Violence]

I usually watch some of my friends at the same tournament for inspiration. If I'm not close with anyone at the tournament, I play as many friendlies as possible. If friendlies are not possible, I sit back and quietly think about fundamentals and my own personal condition and capabilities for the day and kinda shadow box in my brain for the next match according to what I've seen of the player so far. Telling yourself what you should try to focus on to give yourself to best chance usually gets you in the right mindset. Rather than being focused on the results, whenever I start thinking like this, I just feel like trying out my ideas and executing them well, rather than winning or losing. I think this is when I play my best.

 

[Bing]

I just try to talk with anyone. If I know who Im playing next, I'll normally approach KK or Unknown and ask for some last minute advise on the MU. Otherwise I try to keep my mind off of the tournament altogether. Lately I end up discussing Impulse between matches lol.

 

[rawrimamonster]

Its really a mental thing, practice meditation. Completely serious, if you learn to focus and calm your mind instead of worrying about what-ifs then you wont have to even worry about this. It helps to keep in mind that, the people you're playing aren't some inhuman unbeatable foes. They make mistakes too and are just as blind going into the matches as you are.

 

[Wizzrobe]

This is also something that I need to improve on. I will try and use the advice in this thread though.

 

[Bones0]

I find out who my next opponent is and watch their current match to look for habits. If they aren't playing atm or I don't know who my match will be against yet, I try to play friendlies.

 

[Strong Badam]

I steal a TV and fight level 4 fox on FD

 

[Mr.Lemon]

Figure out who your going up against next and talk yourself through what you should and should not be doing when you go up against that character/player.

 

[Cummings]

I that some players who like to read a book.
keeps their mind elsewhere so that when they come back to the real world, they maintain the same mindset.

only works if you've been winning though i guess

 

[choknater]

eh i like to keep my mind on the game haha

stamina is pretty important even if you wanna stay loose. i know people get "smashed out" but it should be a goal to keep one's head clear for a whole tournament. diet, exercise, and sleep help so much.

 

[odinNJ]

Think about what you did too much, too little. Move choice

 

[Vitamin X]

Thanks for the replies, guys. What I'm hearing from you all looks to come down to three main concepts:

1.) Remember it's a game and treat it as such.
2.) Have a mental plan in between matches to prepare for the next match.
3.) If absolutely necessary, occupy your mind with something not Smash-related.

For me, the first will be the hardest, as my nature seems to oppose this. I know it in my mind, but my emotions are another thing entirely.

For the second, I may actually start taking notes on my matches, especially since writing seems to be a calming activity for me in addition to being productive. Also, claiming a TV to work on tech skill until someone approaches seeking a friendly sounds like a good plan as well.

For the third...if I stop wanting to think about Smash, I can occupy my time writing other things.


This gives me a good place to start for my next tournament. You've all been a great help, and you have my thanks.

 

[Bing]

Honestly I hate the time between pools and bracket. I get kind of nervous. Then I hate it when I get into losers bracket because I get really nervous and enter the mindset of "If I lose Im out :S"

 

[Shiny Mewtwo aka Jigglysir]

I do more or less the same thing I do at Badminton Tournaments, with a few changes

Get a drink
Talk with someone who was watching the match (my partner in doubles) about what I did wrong and what I was doing well
Watch other matches
Warm up

that's pretty much it

 

[Avalancer]

I find out who my next opponent is and watch their current match to look for habits.

This and Fanta. It keeps me calm.

 

[ZaXXoR]

I just keep the mindset that it's a game and I'm going to try my hardest no matter what, and when I notice my own mistakes I try to notate this in my brain. when I notice other's mistakes I try to get an attack in if possible, if not, i re-adjust to be ready for an attack. I like randomly walking backwards and throwing a d-smash if they try and aggro me.

Honestly in between games I don't get nervous it's all in good fun. Just remember everyone else is human and makes mistakes

 

[Bing]

One thing that hurts my calm composure is that 2 months ago I made bracket for the first time, as a 3rd seed when top 4 make it out. This got my confidence up. Now I have higher expectations for myself and I become nervous that Im not going to reach my expectations. This got me last time as I lost to a few people I should have beat.

 

[Wizzrobe]

One thing that hurts my calm composure is that 2 months ago I made bracket for the first time, as a 3rd seed when top 4 make it out. This got my confidence up. Now I have higher expectations for myself and I become nervous that Im not going to reach my expectations. This got me last time as I lost to a few people I should have beat.

A similar thing happened to me some time ago and I feel the same way and it bothers me a lot when it happens or may happen.