Coping with Nerves

[Justice]

Not to repeat whats already been said, but everyone needs something different, i havent ever been to a big mk tournament, but ive been in front of sizeable crowds, and what i find works best is right before i'd head out, i'd roll my shoulders, untense my back, and yawn alot, its really relaxing. Just something for you to consider

You're right dood. What works for me is I get pissed off. Not the safest route, but if you're focused on something that is making you angry, you're too busy being angry to be nervous

 

[HurlingDervish]

they're gonna push my man hymen so far up me I'll be using it as a taillight, wat do

...gaytality?

 

[PeeJaeys]

Lol, Hmmm, nervous, let me say something, probably something I think I shouldn't as it may show too much of me. But maybe this will put your mind at ease. I am a very, very, introverted. I don't like to approach people. And in all actuality, I never got into MK9 because of winning, or thrill of competition, though these thoughts do fuel me. I got into Mk9 because of the people that are in it. Something I noticed is that as a community, we're a tight-nit family, because we care about something that to us feels like it can disappear at any moment. We cherish these little matches, these tournaments.
But to be honest, Mk9 has been my first fighter, I'm as green as they come. Hand eye cooridination aren't the best, reaction isn't up to par with those better than I. But even so, we all share the same feelings. For example, I had went to a tournament a few weeks back, first ever offline session I've been to. Nervous as hell, these dudes were playing Marvel, Street fighter, and Mk9. I had nothing in common with these dudes. I felt like I was in another world. But I'm very observant, I noticed that every player there had their hands shaking. Everyone, was in deed nervous. Why? Because we're human, these are emotions we cannot make disappear but control. And as I watched everyone play, I started to think. In a sense, I'm just like them. And if they can summon the courage to face their fears, as little or as big as they were, why can't I? All I can say is that I left that day happy, I met new people, learned new things. Understood so much more.
My point is this, if your not nervous, you aren't human. It's going to happen, don't be ashamed of it happening, just acknoweldge it. Come to terms with the fact that you are indeed afraid of what other will think of you. The minute you realise that, nothing else matters. I went to VSM last Thursday, a 2 hour trip all the way from the Bx, just to get closer to better competition. There was a little tournament they held and I knew I would lose, these guys were just too good. As I sat to play my frist opponent, who was DarkNatas, I noticed him shaking. And what made me feel ten times better was what he said while he shook, Something to this effect - "I'm nervous, I haven't played or practiced in a while" This was coming from an older man, who from what I knew had much more experience than I. Just those words changed my whole outlook on everything, and I decided win or lose, I'm going to leave better than I came. Ended up winning against Natas and Scoot, and lost to REO's Jade.
Dude, its ok to feel the way you do, its going to happen just don't let those things change you. Change what you want and what your aiming for. If you let that happen why bother even playing? You've already lost, to yourself.

 

[BookBurning]

Excellent post Sabbiie and thanks man.

 

[Sao87]

Just gotta keep competing, eventually they will start to go away but this is something everyone that cares about winning had to deal with. Just try to take a deep breath and focus on playing the best you can play rather than clamming up and playing to defensively.

 

[HurlingDervish]

Yesterday at my first tournament I noticed that everyone was in more of a rush to win as usual, so I knew if I could calm myself down I'd be above that base level already. But then if you fight someone with better control over their emotions and character you're back to square one haha.

Actually I think introverted people might have an advantage here, the more you can tune other people (non-players) out the better. I'd listen to music but I think that might hurt me if I couldn't hear when they were getting frustrated so I could take advantage of it. Every time my opponents got salty it felt like they had a mental "stamina" bar depleting opening up new strategies lol. I think ultimately I'd bring music for the opponents that I know could give me trouble, but otherwise it seems to be better to play against the person.

 

[Gamin_Guru]

I remember sometime ago I was reading about Heart Rate and how it affects the body. The average Heart Rate of a man is around 70 beats per minute (BPM). This is called condition White. This is your heart rate when you're chilling and comfortable. The next level is Yellow condition at 115 BPM. At this level, you are more alert and aware of your surroundings and other people's behavior. Fine Motor Skills peak between 100-110 BPM and rapidly deteriorate above 115 BPM. Fine motor skills involve the small muscles of the body that enable such functions as writing, grasping small objects, and pressing buttons on keyboard/controller. Fine motor refers to movements that require a high degree of control and precision. What does this mean for a fighting game player ? Have you ever played against someone online or offline and became so stressed, nervous or intense that you ended up dropping combos and could barely even get simple inputs right. That's because your Heart Rate is too high due to stress or anxiety. Like others have said in this thread, you need to utilize this stress/nervousness correctly to help your performance and not hinder it.

 

[smokey]

Went to my first tournament this weekend, and hell i was nervous. Went there with people i had never met, and it was a SF/MVC3 tournament mainly, and only about 10 people entered for MK9, of which i think only 6 people played there matches. My first round i got a by for my opponent not showing, and second round i faced Mustard. I was really upset because i hadnt had a chance to play any practice or casuals, or even play against someone who i didnt already know was a great player. In my match i got 2-0 and didnt even take a round. I think i hit like 2 combos in the entirety of the bracket and i dropped one of them (which i wouldnt usually do). I only played a few other casuals that day because they swapped the setup from MK9 to MVC so that they could get the tournament moving faster and the setup we used was the only one with MVC dlc and patches but playing other people who you dont expect to be great or have the initial mind-set of them going to beat you silly was really good for me. I took a few matches and practiced up and felt alot more confident with how i was playing by the end. So i think that getting some prior casuals and practice in before you go straight into a serious match you will feel alot more confident. Also playing the character and not the player (in my case mustard went on to finals against Ketchup so i cant feel too upset about losing) but i know that if i was just playing online vs any Cyrax player and not one that i know myself to be very good i would have gone in with a much more positive mind and felt alot more confident!

 

[EndofGameBoss]

Take any portable music player. It helps.

 

[EndofGameBoss]

Just gotta keep competing, eventually they will start to go away but this is something everyone that cares about winning had to deal with. Just try to take a deep breath and focus on playing the best you can play rather than clamming up and playing to defensively.

and you sir win the award for the best signature I've ever seen. LOL.

 

[sLeeK]

Drink a couple of glasses of orange juice for the vitamin C. The shakes/nervousness will be gone in a matter of minutes. I use to do that(still do if I get nervous) when I played counter strike competitively. Then breathe, relax, and be confident. If you need to improve on reaction time start taking fish oil pills for the omega-3s. I'm telling you this works and is not a myth.

 

[GamerBlake90]

Got a bit of a story to tell.

Back in 1999, I began taking dance classes when I was only nine years old...okay, I got persuaded to do so, but that's meh. At first the performances were solely in the dance studio, then it evolved to actually going on stage for both annual recitals and even worldwide competitions at places like Texas and such. If I told you I was not nervous during each of those events, I would be the world's biggest liar.

Why was I nervous? Naturally it was because I thought I would look like a fool. Who doesn't let that thought cross their mind when they're placed in front of an audience, who expects to be entertained? You make even one mistake, it's bound to cost you in terms of prestige or, in the case of the competitions, points from the judges.

I've danced for eight years and then fell out of it since 2007 due to...circumstances as well as changing interests. However, during my final recital the nerves no longer affected me and I gave what those who witnessed it would label as a BADASS performance - do pardon my bragging, LOL. I had become used to the atmosphere that performances bring. It's all about experience.

Of course, as far as tournaments like EVO and Devastation go, the form is different...but the factor that includes nerves is no different. You're expected to entertain, after all. Whether you like it or not, the opinions some viewers have on you may alter or remain the same depending on how the tourney turns out. But if some viewers decide you're not worth it just because you lose a tourney...

...then they were never worth entertaining to begin with.

When you think of it like that, it may help to ease your nerves. Some crowds are overly demanding, but that is not your fault by any means. At the end of the day, your best efforts are what count. Put them forth and feel proud of the fact that you had the courage to put yourself out there and chase after your goals, whether they be minimal or overwhelming.

I'll probably get nervous if I ever manage to step up on the big stage for the finals of a tourney, but it helps to have your friends supporting you. This community is just like that. I couldn't even begin to describe to you all the support I got at EVO 2011, before and after I lost in the pools.

 

[STORMS]

you just have to get used to it - also I hear eating like a turkey sandwich and green tea helps.

 

[AK BeerGuyEd]

you just have to get used to it - also I hear eating like a turkey sandwich and green tea helps.

+1 and I will add have a beer or 3 and that should help calm you down.

 

[rev0lver]

Anyone with experience in public speaking knows that it just comes down to experience. I took a college-level debate class during my senior year of high school, and I was terrified of public speaking. During the first in-class debate, despite how much I knew about the subject, I completely froze up and forgot my most important points. By the end of the year, my teacher selected me as the best in the class and I was to represent our class in a regional debate at the University of Pittsburgh. Everything went smoothly, and I felt completely comfortable speaking. It seems the same way for video game tournaments. Eventually you'll feel at home playing competitively in front of people.

Also, Gamerblake, you better dance on stream sometime.

 

[STB Bodam]

Man,
Book I know I'm always tootin' that horn because I think your Rain is so sick but you have no reason to feel nervous. You're incredible at this game; you play Rain like he was meant to be played and to me, your game never blinks or hiccups. Albeit, I only see you vs. me or you vs. my brother and one time I watched a stream of you vs. LuciousAxelRod (An amazing Sektor player who I struggle against) and it just seems like you're always on top of your game.

You got no real reason to feel nervous, scared or anything but proud of your game. In my opinion, you are the best Rain player on Xbox; probably even in the world (and yeah, I know CD jr plays Rain but not like BB does). I don't know it's kind of funny that the one person I truly admire at this game has the same nerves I do.

For example: Last night I was in my first STB Asylum Tournament. Sure, I was just a fill-in and there wasn't much expectations of me but I couldn't stop shaking. My hands were trembling, my fingers weren't recalling what they usually do; what I feel is muscle memory. I was just overall feeling scared. I mean, amongst all those good players...people watching...it can be scary, especially if you're of limited talent at this game like myself. You know, at this game you always see people trash talking and claiming to be the best, I admire those who are humble yet talented, good but not willing to write off everything you say and claim they know better (unless it's very clear they do). I feel like there is always something to learn especially when you play with people that are better than you. I just enjoy the experience. I enjoy seeing how they play the game and see how I can make myself better.

Ya know something that's crazy? I still don't have the most basic stuff down in this game. Wake-up attacks never come out when I need them to, I understand pokes but I still struggle with them and I simply cannot do very many dash combos let alone dash block like everyone else does. It's sad (to me) and it's embarrassing but I try to do my best, God willing anyway.

Anyway man, you know there are people out there that hold you very highly and I'm one of them. I bet there's a dozen other Rain players that get just as excited as I do when they play you just to see how you use him. I hope you remember that when your nerves are going haywire next time and just play your game and represent Rain the way you always do.

 

[salvificblood]

I am not an mk9 tourny player but I have competed at the highest level of athletics as an "age group" athlete. *I was top 3 in the UK over 1500ms as an under 17), and I used to suffer from nerves before every race and usually the night before the race I would only get a few hours sleep because my body was already shaking from the nerves, lol. It didn't matter how big or small the race, I always got nervous, and I even get nervous playing video games online sometimes, which sounds ridiculous but it's how it goes with me. My advice: accept it and don't just accept it, recognise it as your mind and body preparing for what is to come. nerves feel horrible, but they can actually be used positively if you know how to psyche yourself up. Focus on putting that energy into what you need to in game. Some people getting really hyper and aggressive (and that's them feeding off the nervous energy they have), while others get very quiet and focussed. Find what works with your personality (I was always quiet and reserved when competing and only let *the beast out, so to speak*, when the race started). If you're playing MK competitively, nerves are 100% natural.

A positive mindset will allow you to deal with your nerves and actually use them to boost your performance, which is why the best sports men and women produce their best performances in competition and not training. You have to use the same principles for competitive gaming. Get a routine/ritual you go through before playing to help you focus and the horrible nervous feeling, hand shaking, etc, should go away once you start playing. If none of that helps, just remember that everybody loses. It's easier to calm down if you accept the worst, so to speak, and that the worst isn't going to do you any harm in the long run. Just promise yourself before you play you'll just be better next time even if the worst thing possible happens this time.

 

[RomeoBravoDelta]

Take some beta blockers.




...Don't actually do that.

 

[SwayNTech]

Reading the posts in this thread makes me feel much better about how I played in SNLF this weekend. It was my first serious competition in MK9 and I know I would've done much better if my nerves didn't get to me in a bad way. next time I compete I will be more prepared mentally (I hope)

 

[STB Bodam]

Reading the posts in this thread makes me feel much better about how I played in SNLF this weekend. It was my first serious competition in MK9 and I know I would've done much better if my nerves didn't get to me in a bad way. next time I compete I will be more prepared mentally (I hope)

Man,
If you think you didn't do well; I hope you didn't see my matches. You know I'm a lot more prepared for that. I got owned by Ermac so hard that you'd think I was still playing meta Ermac.

 

[Sage Leviathan]

 

[WayoftheFist]

I had to deal with nerves at Final Round in Atlanta. It didn't work out well for me. I played two very talented players, namely Arturo and Wafflez, and I honestly did not perform at my best. It is very important for me to say here that I would have lost to both of them even if I was playing at my best but I definitely could have made a better showing than I did. It was my first tournament and I'm glad that the experience of playing two people beyond my experience and level has already happened. I'm sure it isn't the last time i will deal with nerves, but I imagine (and hope) they are something that goes away over time.