So I’ve got a problem. It’s not something that happens all the time, but enough to make me occasionally embarrassed the first time it happens when I’m with someone.

I get terrible shakes.

Usually in a tournament they are awful game 1 and then settle, but the more rides on a game, the worse they get. Especially bad when doing bombs - to the point that I pretty much don’t use em any more.

Particularly when it is a close game and my adrenaline is up.

Lets not even talk about stream jitters

Does anyone have any hints for controlling these shakes?

That’s rough, particularly in a game where precision matters so much. I don’t know how to help with that as it’s not something I’ve ever faced.

My only suggestion to help calm nerves in tournaments is to bring a list that you find to be particularly fun to fly, and focus on that aspect of it. This past regionals I took Jake with Intensity, for the sole reason that I have so much fun flying him. I could have easily slotted another, more competitive ship in my list for the same points, but I didn’t, because I wanted to have fun. And when I go to a tournament first and foremost to have fun, the competitive side of things doesn’t phase me as much.

Maybe that mindset will help you, maybe not. I really don’t know. But I wish you the best of luck overcoming your nerves! May the force be with you!

Don't be afraid to ask your opponent to help with tricky maneuvers. If you can have them set the bomb, that makes it much easier to be precise

I’m reminded of that ‘Scrubs’ episode where Turk has the shakes during surgery. The advice is to make sure he’s had plenty of potassium and to have some “alone time”beforehand.

Maybe give those a try?

Do what I do, and stay as far away from the cut as possible ?

A friend of mine had this problem arise when playing darts competitively. He saw a hypnotist and they sorted it very quickly. Sounds wacky maybe and a few sessions would cost a little bit, but it worked perfectly.

If you get in a tight spot, don't hesitate to call a TO over, its what they are there for. I listen to music a lot during tournaments, it helps settle me down.

1 hour ago, Dr Zoidberg said:

I’m reminded of that ‘Scrubs’ episode where Turk has the shakes during surgery. The advice is to make sure he’s had plenty of potassium and to have some “alone time”beforehand”.

Maybe give those a try?

Haha ... yeah - I do eat bananas and trail mix to keep my blood sugar equalised to try to prevent it ...

2 hours ago, MortalPlague said:

Don't be afraid to ask your opponent to help with tricky maneuvers. If you can have them set the bomb, that makes it much easier to be precise

I do this often, particularly when there are a lot of ships / rocks in the way. They are really helpful, it is great ... but then we have the terrible event that occurs when you spend 5 minutes, marking, moving, placing and replacing half a dozen game pieces ... and then at the end of all of it, you move your hands away, and knock literally every ship about 6 inches across the board.

My son had them for 2 years, he is 15 now and they are finally gone. It takes practice. Potassium is a good one.

16 minutes ago, Dreadai said:

...then we have the terrible event that occurs when you spend 5 minutes, marking, moving, placing and replacing half a dozen game pieces ... and then at the end of all of it, you move your hands away, and knock literally every ship about 6 inches across the board.

Been there mate, it's one of those unique X-Wing experiences!

As an aside, "he's shaking like it's the last round of Talisman" is now a common phrase in my gaming group, following one life-draining 8 hour session where I thought I had it in the bag. Two squares out from the Valley of Fire, with the spell that lets me take three turns in a row, and that ******* @Ashley casts Gust of Wind. Yeah, thanks for that "mate"!

42 minutes ago, Dreadai said:

Haha ... yeah - I do eat bananas and trail mix to keep my blood sugar equalised to try to prevent it ...

Forget the trail mix son; a cheeky **** in between rounds is where it’s at... Or every second round if you’ve not the stamina.

Don’t be embarrassed! Most of us have something wrong with us, I wouldn’t bat an eyelid if my opponent asked me to move their ship/drop their bomb ‘cos their hands are a bit unsteady. I’d prefer that to having all the ships knocked! I get the first round jitters too, so I totally get it

First round jitters are somewhat common. I say this because I get it, usually apologize beforehand, and others will chime in that they get it too.

Another thing I've seen helps a lot: use a range ruler to hold ships down (or bomb tokens, or whatever). That way if the ruler slides it doesn't slide your ship around (like holding it down with a finger).

Also - get those stick on cabinet bumpers for your bases! Glue a washer on the bottom to weight them as well. Feels more solid, sticks to the mat easier, works just a ton better.

3 hours ago, FTS Gecko said:

Do what I do, and stay as far away from the cut as possible ?

Along with this, assuming your legal age, alcohol helps with shakes as well as staying away from the cut

If there's one thing Metal Gear Solid has taught us it's that a healthy use of drugs like nicotine (from cigarettes) or diazepam will help with the shakes. :-)

Sounds like an opportunity to fly X-Wings

Seriously though, it wouldn't bother me at all if you asked me to do a few of the trickier template actions for you. I've played a local fella twice in tournaments, and his meds gave him the shakes. he asked for help as needed, all good.

FWIW, in my experience some of the best players I've faced have had the shakes pretty bad. (This has also been true in poker, BTW.)

A bit over a year ago, I rode my bike a couple of hours through freezing fog to reach a Regional. By the time I got there, I was so unbelievably cold that I was uncontrollably and violently shaking. It didn't stop until 45 minutes into my first game. (I know it's not the same thing, but hold crap, was it cold.) Unfortunately, that was my single worst Regionals performance (of seven) ... and then I had to drive home.

Anyway, I'll echo what's been said: just ask your opponent for help in any tricky situation. Nobody worth anything is going to judge you harshly for having the shakes. You might even get underestimated for it!

I have the same problem first round usually as well.

I usually ask my opponent or the judge to move my ships if its that bad. Your not alone!

5 hours ago, jonnyd said:

Another thing I've seen helps a lot: use a range ruler to hold ships down (or bomb tokens, or whatever). That way if the ruler slides it doesn't slide your ship around (like holding it down with a finger).

Also - get those stick on cabinet bumpers for your bases! Glue a washer on the bottom to weight them as well. Feels more solid, sticks to the mat easier, works just a ton better.

There's a product called "Darice Foam Sheets" available from Pat Catans. Cut it and fit to your bases. They sit a little proud of the base, maybe a 1/32", so when you go to move them they cling very well to the mat. Cuts down on sliding a lot.

On top of the shakes I get something like a hit on the funny bone but it jerks my arm. Usually when I'm tired but it's something to see when I launch a ship skyward. Nothing like stopping a game to retrieve pieces of an X-wing!

Specifically in regards to your comment about bombs - I've seen a few people that have put a magnet in the middle of their 1 speed template so that they can keep a finger on the base and bomb, and use the magnet to pick up the template in between. Works great. Another thing I've learned is that when I'm holding a base or rock down hard, that it'll slightly stick to my finger when I remove it, so if I'm holding it with my index finger, I'll put my middle finger on it gently, remove the index, then remove the middle. Just a few thoughts on how to deal with shaky hands.

11 hours ago, Dreadai said:

So I’ve got a problem. It’s not something that happens all the time, but enough to make me occasionally embarrassed the first time it happens when I’m with someone.

I get terrible shakes.

Usually in a tournament they are awful game 1 and then settle, but the more rides on a game, the worse they get. Especially bad when doing bombs - to the point that I pretty much don’t use em any more.

Particularly when it is a close game and my adrenaline is up.

Lets not even talk about stream jitters

Does anyone have any hints for controlling these shakes?

You have to "warm up" just like in sports. Basketball players dont just start playing, they stretch, do some layups, take a few mid range jumpers. Get the blood flowing. In Xwing, if its always happening your first game, trying doing a "practice session" first. Just throw an asteroid down and maneuver around it, or practice your opening moves, etc. It will kick in your mind that this is the first game even though its not.

17 minutes ago, wurms said:

You have to "warm up" just like in sports. Basketball players dont just start playing, they stretch, do some layups, take a few mid range jumpers. Get the blood flowing. In Xwing, if its always happening your first game, trying doing a "practice session" first. Just throw an asteroid down and maneuver around it, or practice your opening moves, etc. It will kick in your mind that this is the first game even though its not.

Great idea - why did I not think of that ?

13 hours ago, Dreadai said:

So I’ve got a problem. It’s not something that happens all the time, but enough to make me occasionally embarrassed the first time it happens when I’m with someone.

I get terrible shakes.

Usually in a tournament they are awful game 1 and then settle, but the more rides on a game, the worse they get. Especially bad when doing bombs - to the point that I pretty much don’t use em any more.

Particularly when it is a close game and my adrenaline is up.

Lets not even talk about stream jitters

Does anyone have any hints for controlling these shakes?

Along with quite a lot of us, I also get first round jitters. I have had a game where both of us playing kept apologising as we knocked every ship sideways repeatedly!

No new advice, but I like the suggestion of playing a 'practice session' from wurms. I'll have to try it.