Its amazing how much “nerves” can play a role in your game at a new location. Just keep going and enjoying the experience -even if you are losing. You will get used to it and feel more comfortable, then you won’t be missing those combos.
My first tourney was a few months ago at a Play ‘N’ Trade in NYC. Since then I think I’ve been to 5-6 more all in NYC and so far haven’t really come close to placing in Top 3, but I do feel I’m getting better.
I don’t know about anyone else, but when I’m playing and in the zone, I don’t even realize people are watching me. Nerves and all that just goes away the more you go. I was nervous the first few but now I’m fine and when I lose I just get outplayed rather then me fucking up my execution due to my nerves being shot.
The best advice I have seen is even if you go down 0-2, don’t just leave. Watch the better players move on and see how they play, ask your opponent later on what you think you can improve on, just ask questions and make connections. I noticed I always see the same people go to these things so trade Gamertags and play player matches with them at home. Much better then random Ranked or Championship battles.
My first tourney wasnt all that hot either.
I choked hard too.
The second one went a little better, hopefully the next one can see a Vega in the top 10.
But i find, playing a few casuals first help calm the nerves.
Don’t give up MAN!! Bring this song next time you go to a tournament!!
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My first tournament I sucked balls, no homo. Only won one game because I was just a lot better than the other guy so there was no way I could have lost, but I was nervous as hell and not thinking straight at all. Fast forward 2 months and 3 tournaments. I played in my 4th tourney a week ago and placed 3rd. I wasn’t nervous and was totally confident in my abilities. You will get there eventually. My best advice is this, THINK during your games. This is how I got over the dumb shit and just concentrated on my match. The first 3 tournaments I didn’t think and adapt like I know I can so I made sure to do it in my 4th one and as a result I got 3rd and just barely lost in loser’s finals. I also watched the games of my future opponents very closely to see any patterns and tendencies to use against them. By the time I got to loser’s finals all my nervousness was gone and I was ready to play. So keep playing in tournaments as much as possible and be aware of your opponent are my suggestions.
Being calm in tournaments is something that takes years of playing to achieve. I’m lucky, because when I came into SF I’d already been playing in Smash tournaments for three years, so it’s never really been a problem for me in SF.
Just keep going to tournaments, stay positive (never think, “oh shit, that guys good, I’m wasting money”) and HAVE FUN. If you’re enjoying yourself, you will feel less pressured, and be able to figure out your opponent quickly and calmly, and then proceed to beat them.
Also, Digital is right, thinking during your match is very very important.
Visited japan over the summer and went 4/10 against daigo. not bad, dunno if he was just messing around or playing for reals.
If you can’t tell, then that means he is messing around, only if you know your opponent’s depth of play then you could have a slight chance to see him playing you seriously.
this was mention already but definitely play some casuals beforehand because to get used to the different timings and get any jitters out the way
Bah, see it this way. You actually got to a tournament. People like me, who live in Sweden. Well, first off - we don’t have a single arcade machine in Sweden with the SF4 logo on it. We have one fightstick left in the entire country until the Hori Pro 3 (don’t know the name) is released here.
And as far as I know, we have no official tournaments either. So to play SF4 with some peeps in real life, I mostly have to go to another country. Because none of my friends are interested in fighting games or anything the like. I’d gladly take a loss if I got to participate. But yeah, shit happens, next time you go to a tournament, you’re stronger than the last time because of experience.
Why would anyone take a day off from work to attend a SFIV tourney? Do people around here not have their priorities in order? I know it’s one day in the grand scheme of things but eh…
I would take two days off to attend a SF4 tourney.
And I plan to.
I[ve only played in three local tourneys so far, all were double elimination and I lost to one guy in all three, and another guy beat me in 2 of the three. Both ended up giong to the finals in whichever one they beat me in so I didn’t feel all that terrible about it. I think my current record is like 9-6 in tourney play. I will say though, that I have improved a great deal in just those few tourneys (well, mostly from the casuals during the tourneys).
edit: none were totally serious either - all just local friendly tourneys ranging rom like 20 people to like 50.
Would you really rather be at work than playing SF against the best in your area?
Then again I’m 18 with no bills to pay.
There was SF4 tournament at Dreamhack 3 months ago.
Some people have paid vacation time. (Or the cost is just worth it to them.)
I can relate
I went to my first local tourney and got peaced out 0-2. It was balls. You might want to change your expectations from winning to having fun. If you can’t have fun losing then pick another game. That’s how I choose to look at it.
yeah man, you can’t take it all so personal.
I just started going to tournaments (only been to about 5) and i havent won a lot of matches either. And most of the time im driving an hour+ to get there, and spending $30+. But to me its always worth it. And you should be HAPPY when you go to a tournament and see top players there. At least I am. That’s your oppurtunity to play against top-caliber players, and see how you stack up. And from what I’ve seen 99% of the time those top players are willing to play some casuals with you before the tourney even starts. So that’s very valuable practice right there. And even if you don’t play them, you can talk to them and get some tips, or just pick their brain.
but like someone said, if you’re only goal is to win a tournament you might be dissappointed often. If your goal is to get better, have a good time, meet cool people and get respect for trying your hardest than you’ll be rewarded at almost every tournament you go to.
sweden has a pretty strong scene from what i hear.
Not really. There’s like, 2 communities whereas the member-count is pretty low. The general interest in Sweden is pretty low. But then again - I might be in the old-school thinking, back when I played SFA3 like crazy and there wasn’t ANYONE around that played Street Fighter unless we talked about some small underground group.
And, as far as I’m concerned, we only have one single arcade machine in Sweden - which is located pretty far from where I live anyways.