I'm choking under pressure in 1v1's!

[randyannie]

Hey everyone. Within the last couple of months, I've played 1v1 against two different players that I know I'm just a tad better than they are, but when I get into a real match with them, I start choking and shaking like Pee Wee Herman in a porn theater, as soon as I confront them.

I'm usually stacked to the gills too, so I don't know why I'm letting my nerves get the best of me. I play with these guys all the time, but when it's showtime I'm losing my posture, rolling my chair back, grabbing the wrong weapon, holding my breath etc. etc. (everything your not supposed to do) I know that this is a matter of mind over matter but I'm missing shots left and right and taking frags that I should be giving.

Anyone got any tips to help Prozac calm down? lol: now I know I've really set myself up for the kill)

Thanks, Prozac

 

[ALG]

Make sure you have good posture. If you posture sucks you won't be in the same ryhthem. If your body thinks you are just playing a normal match because your posture is normal you will play just as well as normal as long as there isn't an underlying mental fear of the opponent.

 

[Spiffy935]

I know this may be hard to do, but relax and clear you mind. I was really good at ffa and would win nearly every match in pubs until I started fearing the thought of losing. When you realize that losses are okay when you use them as learning experiences, you will become much better. The key is to LEARN FROM THEM. Just ease the tension and play a strategic game. When you get nervous, your shots will suffer. Oh, and if you don't already, become an expert at timing power-ups. Good luck!

 

[m&ms]

If you're losing it when fighting an opponent, then stop thinking about fighting them. Concentrate on timing shields and think about where you want your opponent to go and how you can make him go there. As long as you're not worrying about either of you dying you shouldn't feel as much pressure.

 

[dc]

If you're switching to the wrong weapon your controls are messed up or something. You shouldn't even have to think of what gun to use

 

[briach]

Drugs. Just ask infinite

 

[nuttella]

A little Valium takes the edge off the Prozac, Prozac.

 

[Dirdmister]

try playing music in the background; not loud enough that u cant hear wats going on but enough so u can hear it...if that fails then masterbation seems to work for me

 

[dXII][Pa]

Sooooo...who wants to 1vs1 against Dird after that little revelation.

 

[T2A`]

You're probably just trying to concentrate too hard. Instead of "OMG I HAVE TO HIT HIM OMGOMGOMGOMG" just relax and play. Take a deep breath and chill out, rethink your strategy a bit, and be on your way.

 

[Nereid]

Not exactly related to playing under pressure, but try new things in your games, like take a different route to get somewhere or something, so that you don't fall into a routine of just instinctively/reflexively going places. It'll help you focus more--keep you thinking.

Just a theory though. Feel free to

 

[daloonie]

I have that exact same problem when playing 1on1. Also why I sucked at the FragBU 1v1's I played. I was constantly nervous shaking and stuff. Also the fact that many are better than me at the game, but I think I could've done better if I had relaxed.

Done is done. Only thing I can advise you to do is try and get the tention out of the body before playing. No matter how just try something different everytime, see if you're more relaxed.

 

[-AEnubis-]

Stop caring. Usually works for me. Expect to lose, don't care about winning, and just focus on playing the game you wanna play. Then, if you have the ability, you can win.

I have to play serious head games with myself most times when playing. Like, for instance, I can maintain about 40-45% lg once warm, and with a decent ping (in the 50s), until I look at the stat. The second I see it, it's all over.

I can work it the other way too, if I'm shooting under 10%, if I point it out, and actually look at the stat, I usually end up pulling it back way up, as if to spite myself.

Usually with winning or losing lately, I don't care, it's more about just playing how I want to play vs playing the way that's easiest to win.

 

[BioBlizzard]

i just wanna tell u dis tat dont underestimate yur opponent............. at the same time dont fear him.................................. just think of yur own game and try to study the opponents behaviour in the first few minutes of any match and when a match starts(1 on 1 dm) dont try to search for yur opponent but make him come to you and kill him and take the lead ........................ i suggest if u use stratergy and skill and play yur own game freely u can overcome any opponent.

HAPPY FRAGGIN !

 

[ShakeZula]

I get nerves really bad (I'm a nervous person in general), and the only way I've found of combatting it is just by sort of 'confronting my fears'... as dramatic as that sounds . I always get really nervous the first time I experience something, but once I know I can do it, I don't have a problem. I used to start shaking if I was beating good players in pugs, and I still shake whenever I take the lead in a 1v1 against someone I expected to beat me. After all these games I just look back at what I've done, and whether I choked or not I usually see that I did well, and my ego inflates just enough to hold in my nerves the next time I'm in the same situation .

 

[menelik_seth]

For me its just a matter of reminding myself that its only a mouse and a keyboard... Point and click...

The crosshair is just a fancy mouse pointer, and all I have to do is point and click. Once I get myself into that mentality, everything seems simple and less distracting; and I can focus on enjoying the game, pointing and clicking away.

 

[Kantham]

If you're losing it when fighting an opponent, then stop thinking about fighting them. Concentrate on timing shields and think about where you want your opponent to go and how you can make him go there. As long as you're not worrying about either of you dying you shouldn't feel as much pressure.

Definately. That's what i learned myself lately, it also work for pretty much everything.

 

[DaBeatard]

This is what I tell anyone who is nervous about something- Take a **** before hand. Seriously. It will be one less thing to worry about.

 

[-AEnubis-]

lol. Yeah, don't play hungry, don't play with a full bladder, don't play if you got kids to drop off at the pool. Mostly, that's all about being as comfy as possible.

 

[randyannie]

Thanks for all the pointers and the pep talks everyone. You all had something good to say and helpful advice - especially DaBeatard .

I'm starting to have more fun and just relax and play the game, and it's already gotten me a few more frags, but more importantly I'm back to having fun playing which is why I got started in the first place!

Prozac