How do you control the nerves in a Tournament or Money Matches?

[XorXe-YaGaMi]

Well simple cuestion, any tips?

I think, im a good player (specialy in KOF games) in casuals i play very good, but... in the tournaments or Money Matches im really very bad, for example, i beat hundred of times to one player, but the same player, in a tournament match, beat me, i make to much errors...

My nerves betray me, and my hands shake too much when i playing.

I really dont know how to control this...

Thanks!!

[KORYNTHYAN]

I know where you're coming from. But I've only ever played in a few tournaments
and the only SF tournament I ever played in wasn't even against anyone
else!! They had me play just the computer and see how far I could get and
tallied my points! (I got first of course, because when I found how the tournament
was set up I immediately picked the most combo heavy guy in the game SFA2-Akuma,
and just killed it)

Other tournaments though were Soul Calibur and Tekken which I usually
achieved 1st or 2nd. But I wasn't calm in either. In fact it sometimes doesn't
even have to be a tournament. I could just be at a mall or something and
if someone walks up a pops in 2 quarters and they even look like they
might be any good, my heart feels like it morphs twice the size and starts
pumping like it's the last time it's ever gonna pump again. LOL.

~K.

[4r5]

Good way to practice playing in tournament/moneymatch is to play in tournaments/moneymatches. Or you can practice by putting something substantial, other then money, on the line, to try and simulate the weight behind a tournament or money match.

Some people try to lighten the mood by listening to music through headphones, putting a hood over their head, or a lucky (smelly) shirt.

Oh, and substance abuse.

[Mizuki]

I hit my pressure points.

[Silks]

I've got a buddy that actually put a combination of red bull and vodka into one of those backpack bladdars that bicyclists wear for a tourney. He kept a steady stream of liquid testicles in his system this way. Not everyone is capable of playing well with alcohol in their system, but it calms the nerves :)

[woof]

chill out


i see all matches as matches, i enter tournaments for the oppurtunity to play people to get better
if the artificial reward is not my concern, then i can play without tense feelings getting in the way

[Silks]

chill out


i see all matches as matches, i enter tournaments for the oppurtunity to play people to get better
if the artificial reward is not my concern, then i can play without tense feelings getting in the way

LOL nice avatar. <3 rob :lovin:

[The_Dragon]

Is this really about you being on edge because of the money match, or are you just hungry? My suggestion, eat a Snickers.

[Gaijinblaze]

Uh not trying to be off topic here but is there more Teen Titans coming out or something??

When I won a tournament, I had gotten out of bed at like 5 PM that day. Might wanna give that a shot even though it goes horribly against what Duc Do suggests. I suppose this isn't a problem in Mexico, but my execution gets bad when my hands are cold (which happens often), so in the future I plan on wearing warm gloves when not playing. Don't drink too much because of obvious reasons and basically try to relax and focus on what needs to be done, and acknowledge that you have the ability to do it... well assuming you do have it. You may also want to avoid certain foods that give you upset stomachs, whatever that might be. Probably helps to have friends around encouraging you, so that it actually becomes enjoyable instead of something associated with pressure and discomfort.

I'm a lot like you though. Casuals are fine, then 5 minutes later in the tourney I'm losing to random people.

[ProfessorS]

Ass pennies

[Dark Geese]

The more tournaments you play in/ money matches...the easier it gets to relax in them..the more you win..the more confident you become and this means the more you relax in these money matches..

[TornadoFlame]

I'd suggest playing more casuals. Get the nerves steady. I tend to shake to but not out of nervousness but due to competition, so exhilirating.

[DevilJin 01]

Just don't think about it. The reason you shake up is because u know it means something. Whenever I play in tourneys I just act like it doesn't mean anything. Then all you're thinking about is reacting to the opponent. To me...since I see them as just video games any ways...my emotions are just not really a part of it.

Thinking about the pressure behind the event isn't going to help me to perform better so I just act as if I was the computer. The only thing I'm required to do is to win the match and do the right things to do it. Whether or not I win money or get my name in the rankings doesn't matter to me. I just want to push buttons better than the other person. U should never "think" about the tournament or money match until you're completely done and out.

[xS A M U R A Ix]

I think going in with the attitude that you're better than who you're about to fight helps. If you're not worried about losing, you don't get nervous.

I think my biggest problem is if I'm about to win, THEN I get kind of excited and can't think because my heart's beating so hard. It's annoying. Just gotta force your nerves to stay calm I guess.

[The Illuminati]

Well simple cuestion, any tips?

I think, im a good player (specialy in KOF games) in casuals i play very good, but... in the tournaments or Money Matches im really very bad, for example, i beat hundred of times to one player, but the same player, in a tournament match, beat me, i make to much errors...

My nerves betray me, and my hands shake too much when i playing.

I really dont know how to control this...

Thanks!!


Just keep playing and you'll get used to it. Just focus on playing as well, rather than winning or losing.

[Atomic Moth]

St. John's Wort

And don't drink caffeine (Red Bull) unless you usually do.

You should probably also rub one out beforehand. Remember to wash your hands afterwards though.

Eat something.

And the most important tip is to just play in more tournaments.

But cleaning the pipes beforehand helps out a lot too.

[Khiempossible]

cigarettes

also honour matches help you practice.

[Legendary Gokou]

The more tournaments/money matches you enter, the more familar you are with the feeling and the easier it is to keep it under control. You'll always have a few butterflies in your stomach during the matches, just stay calm/focused and it shouldn't effect your gameplay.

[Overworld]

Also play some matches with other people first, playing with friends and stuff can help calm you down before a big match.

Pretty much any relaxation techniques will help, take a step back, take a deep breath, that sort of stuff. All the butterflies are usually at the very beginning of the match as soon as you see "FIGHT!" usually it's all over in a few moments.

[Khiempossible]

i shake the most during clutch moments and lose focus whenever i break down my opponents wall. That point in the match where both of you are afraid of each other just whiffing jabs trying to get the other guy to make the first wrong move.

[KrsJin]

Play without your ego. Easier said than done I know. But when you don't care what people are thinking of your play, everything else will just work out better.

[Zal]

i listen to music, usually something electronic with a good beat, i find that the steady rhythm calms me way down

[gridman]

honestly, music helps big time for me.

for whatever reason, listening to dillinger, especially 43% burnt (or all of calc. infinity), really calms my nerves

[franman]

I think my biggest problem is if I'm about to win, THEN I get kind of excited and can't think because my heart's beating so hard. It's annoying. Just gotta force your nerves to stay calm I guess.I had the same problem as well. I was having a FT3 match with a friend of mine. We were playing SC3. I won two matches off him and needed one more to be declared victor. I was panicking because I kept thinking I needed one more match to win so my defense seems to slip away and my opponent manages beat me all the way.

I was pissed, but I had to deal with my loss. After all I deserve to lose.

[Mokura]

I've got very bad nerves too. But for me, I think the answer is to just apply yourself to the game WAAY more than anyone else. This way, you can't help but be confident, just knowing the lengths that you've gone to get where you are.

[google]

I think it's normal for some people to be nervous in the beginning of tournament play. But once you get in the flow of things, you should calm down. If you don't..I don't know what to say. You need to find something that calms you down.

I just stretch, and get really goofy. It works for me. Usually after the first game, I'm good for the rest of the tournament.

[Sabin]

Play without your ego. Easier said than done I know. But when you don't care what people are thinking of your play, everything else will just work out better.

this is probably some of the best advice in this thread to me. for me sometimes playing without my ego in a tourney is very difficult and I usually play worse because of this.

[McRomes]

Medititaion.

One of the reasons many martial artists practice this,is to clear the mind and just think about breathing.After experience(could take you months or years,probably the latter),you learn how to calm yourself down in tense situations,so you think and act accordingly.

It won't just help you playing video games,but in many other types of situations.

[Gaijinblaze]

Yeah, it's all about those chakras.

Everybody loves chakras.

[aka_illmatic]

I used to be the same way when I played in my first SSBM tournament:wgrin: Those were good times. Like a poster already said try listening to some music, either stuff that might pump you up or get you in that laid back mood. I personally like to listen to Nas, I always blast Nas when I play Ikaruga without it I don't make it past the 1st level.:sweat:

[orka]

i put my shades on right before the match starts. might sound flaming, but that's a new tourney habit i picked up couple of months ago.

[Kesshi]

Play a lot of casual games just to get into the groove. Don't try anything too difficult in them, it's not supposed to be a practice session, just something rather mind-numbing to let the stress melt away.

Smoking does help too, not because of the nicotine per se, but just the act of smoking itself. Just standing around, focused on nothing in particular except the act and the environment around. Maybe you'll be chatting with other smokers, maybe you're just outside by yourself, whatever. It's your own time to calm down and just think about nothing in particular.

... if you don't smoke though, don't think about picking it up. Vulgar habit, can be somewhat lonely when you're the only smoker, and makes you stinky while eating away at your cash-flow. :x Oh, and cancer. Can't forget the cancer.

.... don't dwell on the cancer bit if you're using cigarettes as a nerve calmer for tournaments. >_>

[Mi-Ken 2.0]

smoke a joint, drink a beer & rub one out...

shit thats a good time right there :D

seriously just play more mm's even if its only for $1 and you will get used to it.

Also try not to change your strategy... play like you do in casuals. dont become overly cautious..

[DS]

Treat it like any other match.

[Brooklyn]

when i'm on my bt talking to my future wife i get in the fcukin' zone!!! i think about 15-3 when this phenomena occurs

yeah and what everyone else said. take a shot before the tournament to warm up and calm down. i suggest a blue long island with redbull.. that's all it takes for me to battle anyone at a club and a shot of anything gets me relaxed so try it!

[BaSiK_TeKniK]

I listen to music. it keeps me concentrated. Usually a Drum & Bass mix.

[DeadlyRave-Neo]

i go and jack off it calms me down or fuck a pregnant hooker(frx):rofl:

[orka]

i go and jack off it calms me down or fuck a pregnant hooker(frx):rofl:

you boned a pregnant hooker? :confused:

[Airthrow]

Some people swear by weed, and it does help the NERVES while you are competing, but for me at least it also fucks up my reaction time and makes me waaaay less aggressive.

You start to realize how mean it is to rush someone down, corner them and repeatedly chip them for damage, tick throw, and then chip them to death with super when you're blazed.