Just wondering if other get anxious before they play tournament?

I use to get bad panic attacks which I know is all in my head, but I find before a tournament or any event im excited for I feel really anxious.

Even though it's weeks away.

When I start thinking of what I'm going to fly, I feel anxious

I always feel like I'm going to bomb. Even though I've done well in the few I've been in.

My first one I would have made top 4 but I flewchewy off the board with a slight miscalculation.

My second I got second place even though I had no sleep. Again that night just feeling anxious and had a bit of a drive early morning, and my third, although extremely small got first.

I always look forward to it though as the guys there are a great bunch.

I never have to worry about funny things like dice marking and such.

It's an awesome and friendly atmosphere

Since it's in a different province I ask them what the Meta there is like. Just so I don't feel as though I'm going in totally blind.

They don't seem to mind keeping me posted which again is very kind of them, and I'd like to say thanks

Anyway I'm just wondering if I'm alone on this.

Does anyone else get anxious feeling before a tournament?

Edit

Just want to add that when I was younger I was never effected by this but something they I've seen to have developed over the last 10 years or so

I use to do a lot of competitive events, but never really felt anxious

I think a little anxiety is normal before any event where you have to perform and which you actually care about the outcome. Just breathe and realize that you are going to have fun!

I just feel excited. But i had been always that way, the kind of guy who was excited when he was about to make an exam, instead of anxious or scared.

Competition anxiety is a real thing tho. Since i do not suffer it, i can't tell you exact tips, so maybe i am just throwing crap into a wall hoping it sticks, but this is something that happens a lot in online games too, and at the LANs (i was a professional gamer back in the day, when we were just a few tho ahah). One of the troubles ussually is that you focus too much about yourself being represented but how well you do in the tournament, putting extra pressure into you due to how you think others will perceive you from your results.

You are not your tournament results, repeat it. You should feel excited about playing the tournament if you want to improve, because no matter what results you get, you will be able to try to fix them later, and improve yourself. That's the part that you should enjoy and acknowledge to really enjoy competition.

Anyways, it is not a bad thing that you feel that way, i just think you should redirect it, you probably get pretty decent results if you worry that much about them, but you need to get the ego out the way man, it only slows us down.

I think a little anxiety is normal before any event where you have to perform and which you actually care about the outcome. Just breathe and realize that you are going to have fun!

And just like you said that is the main reason why I drive over there is to have fun.

The xwing scene in my area is very small so I go over there because they have a growing and great community.

The first time I went over I felt nervous because I didn't know anyone and was by myself. Didn't take long to feel welcomed.

I mean I like to do well just like anyone but I say to myself, why this anxiety feeling.

But I also wonder is this list going to do well?

Happens I guess when I'm excited fire anything.

Like traveling. The night before I rarely get any sleep and don't sleep in the plane and end up zonked by the time I get to my destination.

I think I may take a dose of nyquil the night before lol

well i think theres nothing to be anxious about if it is a casual touarnement in the local store where u know each player ;P.

still i think that a bit of excitement is right. i feel the same sometimes iam so dam excited and like to play casual touarnement style and we will do a escalation one soon in the next weeks. dats where iam a bit anxious about cause none of us did escalation so far ;P.

stay calm, put on ure pokerface and show em what uve made of.

i for my self make my enemy tremble in fear just by watching them with a serious look at thier faces ;P at his ( dont know must be my eyepatch i wear cause of the eye i lost at work )

Edit: that with my eye is a loong story i tell it ya if ure interested with a PM ( private message )

Oh, about travels i can relate...

I normally get wasted the night before, and just sleep on the plane.

Just remember;

The winner gets to bring the loser over to their side of the force.

Oh, about travels i can relate...

I normally get wasted the night before, and just sleep on the plane.

Haha.

I've thought about that, but That makes me worse. Hang over and in a confined space really freaks me out. Didn't when I was younger.

well i think theres nothing to be anxious about if it is a casual touarnement in the local store where u know each player ;P.

still i think that a bit of excitement is right. i feel the same sometimes iam so dam excited and like to play casual touarnement style and we will do a escalation one soon in the next weeks. dats where iam a bit anxious about cause none of us did escalation so far ;P.

stay calm, put on ure pokerface and show em what uve made of.

i for my self make my enemy tremble in fear just by watching them with a serious look at thier faces ;P at his ( dont know must be my eyepatch i wear cause of the eye i lost at work )

Edit: that with my eye is a loong story i tell it ya if ure interested with a PM ( private message )

It's a game. No anxiety or nervousness is necessary.

Competition anxiety is a real thing tho...

You are not your tournament results, repeat it.

This is actually the biggest thing for me. I used to have some fairly fierce competition anxiety, too, along with some other varieties. Counseling helped a lot, and specifically having a professional's help in learning to separate my self-image from those relatively minor day-to-day successes and failures (like winning or losing an X-wing tourney).

What helped nearly as much was honestly immersion therapy; I got involved in martial arts and started competing regionally in both forms and sparring. No matter how badly an X-wing event goes for me, there's no chance that a Marine combat veteran is going to try to break my ribs, and that makes it a lot easier to take.

Competition anxiety is a real thing tho...

You are not your tournament results, repeat it.

This is actually the biggest thing for me. I used to have some fairly fierce competition anxiety, too, along with some other varieties. Counseling helped a lot, and specifically having a professional's help in learning to separate my self-image from those relatively minor day-to-day successes and failures (like winning or losing an X-wing tourney).

What helped nearly as much was honestly immersion therapy; I got involved in martial arts and started competing regionally in both forms and sparring. No matter how badly an X-wing event goes for me, there's no chance that a Marine combat veteran is going to try to break my ribs, and that makes it a lot easier to take.

Note to self;

...

let the wookie win.

Competition anxiety is a real thing tho...

You are not your tournament results, repeat it.

This is actually the biggest thing for me. I used to have some fairly fierce competition anxiety, too, along with some other varieties. Counseling helped a lot, and specifically having a professional's help in learning to separate my self-image from those relatively minor day-to-day successes and failures (like winning or losing an X-wing tourney).

What helped nearly as much was honestly immersion therapy; I got involved in martial arts and started competing regionally in both forms and sparring. No matter how badly an X-wing event goes for me, there's no chance that a Marine combat veteran is going to try to break my ribs, and that makes it a lot easier to take.

This, a thousand times this. I would take it a step further and even say that larger successes and failures do not define who we are. Our deeds and the energy we put out into the world do more to define us than any petty accomplishment ever could.

I usually just assume I'm going to fail horribly at everything so whenever I don't it's a pleasant surprise.

I only get a little nervous in video game tournaments where it's single or double elimination and the games only last 5-10 minutes, and losing doesn't just mean you lose but also that you don't get to play anymore after you are eliminated. With swiss pairings you get to play multiple full 45+ minute games no matter how poorly you perform so there's not much point in being nervous about X-Wing

I think a little anxiety is normal before any event where you have to perform and which you actually care about the outcome. Just breathe and realize that you are going to have fun!

Couldn't agree more. If it gets too much, just focus yourself with 3 breathes and get back to the game.

And if all else fails, just fly casual.

Its normal.

I also get a little anxious before playing anyone for the first time, face to face.

When I was younger I used to have that kind of a reaction but as I've grown closer to death I realised I have nothing to prove its just a game and win or lose means nothing having fun means everything.

Even the best player can have bad dice luck and lose, there is no point worrying over things you can't control.

Whiskey takes the edge off

Whiskey takes the edge off

Honestly I think it's something we all have, just some deal with it better. Just try to take it easy and relax. Deep breaths, count to ten whatever helps. I generally try to go in with the mindset that I've already took 1st, everyone else just doesn't know it yet. The biggest problem (for me at least) is not dwelling on it when I jack **** up. I've seen one mistake completely psych out my opponent so badly they fall apart when recovery is quite possible.

Bottom line: It's just a game, have a good time and don't be a feminine hygiene product.

First round of my first game at the Chicago Regional I flew Lt. Lorrir off the board with his funky barrel roll. I was so, so embarrassed! I finished getting beaten with a smile on, but for the ensuing half hour until the next game I didn't want to look anybody in the eye, I felt like such a noob! But I continued to coax a smile onto my face. I like what Dreadstar said, "You are not your tournament results." So true!

Even though I only went 2-4, the rest of the tournament was fun. And my smile not only made it more enjoyable for me, but apparently for my opponents as well, as I ended up snagging the Sportsmanship Award!

Yeah I get this a lot too. One tip that I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you can, go to the tourney with a friend or two. It helps a lot to have a buddy you can chat and joke and discuss games with in between matches.

The one and only x-wing tourney I've been to so far I had to go by myself since most of my friends haven't gotten into it yet. I was pretty nervous, but when I got there I recognized one of the other players from another (non-x-wing) tournament we had both played in. He had also come alone and as we started chatting we were able to develop a friendship a bit more and both had a more enjoyable time at the tourney because of it.

As someone with a diagnosed anxiety disorder I know how you feel. Your internal dialog is consumed with doubt and will self sabotage your efforts if you don't take control. Exposure is your best tool. Don't avoid your thoughts that bring anxiety but confront them. Get in practice games and try to get in the tournament mindset. Focus on your strengths. Mask your weaknesses. The more tournaments you go to the easier it will become. The fact that you have anxiety AND still go is a major victory.

As the wise Frank Herbert wrote:

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.

Oh, about travels i can relate...

I normally get wasted the night before, and just sleep on the plane.

Haha.

I've thought about that, but That makes me worse. Hang over and in a confined space really freaks me out. Didn't when I was younger.

It's hard to judge without knowing you, and I am by no means an expert, but if you find yourself missing out on things because you can't deal with the anxiety, it may be time to see a professional.

A large percentage of gamers tend to be a bit asocial, introverted, etc. And while for the most part these are just quirks of life, they can suggest more complicated issues. .

Don't take NyQuil. You only lost, to me :-) , because you were exhausted from worry the night before. We both played identical lists because we wanted to win, have fun sure, but we wanted to do well in a game we love and have great passion for. We played what we thought we could succeed with and studied the build carefully.

Truth be told I'm just as worried and anxious, about you! Actually my game has suffered after Wave 4 as I've tried to adjust to the new meta and my attempts at denying it. We have some awesome players in our region and you my friend are one of the best. Don't worry, have fun, bring your A game.

So it looks like you are not alone.