EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/IivMz.png)
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When Orel Hershiser took the mound in Game 5 of the 1988 World Series, the Dodgers were one win away from beating the A’s and taking the title. As the game progressed, Hershiser appeared to be mouthing words silently to himself both on the field and on the bench. When asked about this after the game, Hershiser said, "I was singing hymns to myself to relax and keep my adrenalin down, because every time I thought about being ahead, I got too excited to pitch." He pitched a complete game with 9 strikeouts, and allowing only 4 hits and 2 runs. The Dodgers won 5-2.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Nx9AN.png)
This story shows that music serves TWO purposes in high pressure situations. First, it relaxes the nerves. Second, it distracts the mind. If you are like me, that countdown sound before a 1v1 ladder game makes you tense up like a cat in a dog pound, then take a look at your playlist and ask yourself: does this music relax me AND remove me from the moment? As much as I love some of the music the pros play on their streams (which reminds me… TLO, thank you for introducing me to Invaders Must Die), personally I have to listen to something completely different. It depends on my mood, but usually it has to be really happy and really silly and have a good amount of Tempo_SC in it… and it doesn’t hurt to sing along. Here is my playlist. What works for you?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/7rn0o.png)
When twitter and twitch.tv streams are not enough, the most dedicated fans stalk their favorite progamers by looking through their match history on bnet (It’s not creepy, it’s loyalty
). By doing this, it is possible to learn a thing or two about players’ habits and routines. For instance, while following coLdrewbie’s stellar run in the MLG winter NA qualifiers, I noticed that before matches he would always warm up with a quick custom game of “Marine Split Challenge.” He also did this in the winter Area in NY, and again at MLG Columbus.![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ZeLJp.png)
Personally, I was surprised to see something so straightforward and obvious completely neglected from my own gameplay. I need a simple set of steps to work out the jitters and build confidence before laddering. Note: the marine split challenge does NOT build my confidence. By level 16/17, I’m just as tense and frustrated as if I’d lost a long TvZ. Still, it’s worth asking, what little minigame or activity can I do before I begin laddering that gets me into that ‘zone’ that often comes during a win streak? What works for you?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/sAcmI.png)
Adrenaline courses through our veins for a reason. Fight or Flight! It gives us that jolt of energy we need to run from zombies or to bust through the doors of a burning building and save our laptop. Unfortunately, playing SC2 involves fine motor skills, which unlike many other competitive sports involves… sitting… and clicking… and typing! Aw yeah! And while a little adrenaline can be helpful, large amounts interfere with those types of tasks. If we were playing American football, we could shake some of those pregame jitters by jumping around, shouting, and making animal noises.
Then again, if my hands are twitching out on me, why not do a little prancing and dancing? While Bnet searches for your next victim, stand up. Punch the air. Do some stretches. Trash talk your computer. Do the running man. You’d be surprised how a little physical frenzy can go a long way.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/yTE1k.png)
“Swimmers take your mark, BEEP!” It’s the North Texas HS regional finals, and I’m in the water now, gliding like a dolphin. Sure, I’m in the 8th lane, but that will make my triumph all the more amazing. Breath after syncopated breath, flipturn after flipturn, I’m feeling it now. I punch the underwater time pad with conviction, take off my goggles, and look at the results. Last place… by 5 seconds… but you could not tell by my facial expressions. I’m grinning ear-to-ear because I’ve shattered my previous time. The goal of getting 1st was unrealistic, and way too much pressure. The goal of beating my personal best, however, was doable, and made me feel like a winner anyways.
Thanks to Blizzard, I’m promised to win about half my games. I’m also promised to lose about half. So playing cannot be just about winning. We need some other areas to focus on, realistic goals that we can set and meet in-game, whether we win or lose. At the risk of giving away what league I play in, here are some recent goals I’ve set for myself for when my classes end. As T: get a third CC by 12 minutes. As Z: drone to 80 on 3 bases and spread creep. As P: do any build but 4-gate and not stink. When I make and meet these in-game goals, it gives me a sense of accomplishment that softens the blow of a loss. In fact, on occasion I even tell my opponent what my goals are and that no matter what happens they can have the win… just to remind myself of what’s really important. Plus, it takes the pressure off, knowing I’m not fighting for the W anymore. As a wise panda once said, “If you play to win you won’t improve, but if you play to improve you will learn how to win.”
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/2oCoX.png)
For some of us, the reward system Blizzard has set up is more of a curse than a blessing. League placement and ladder points can add to the frustration of a loss, especially when they combine in that perfect storm. (i.e. losing to someone of a lower league and getting -20 for it). Incentive to play becomes low. Personally, I already have the portrait I want (guide two achievements ftw!), and the only other thing I’d like to gain is the panda terran decal, just a measly 1,000 1v1 random wins away. It will be mine… oh yes, it will be mine!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/dOin8.png)
All-in-all, Blizzard’s system does nothing good for me. When I see +points, I think “meh, I’m gonna lose those anyways.” When I see –points, it feels like getting a failing grade in gym class. If you’re like me and you find the reward system getting you down, may I suggest making some of your own rewards. Example: 100 league wins and I will get that new keyboard. 5 well-fought losses (no rage quitting) and I will go get an ice cream. If I play 5 games a day for the next 5 days, I will send this panda chew toy to @NASL_Chance. The first two I’ve met, gonna work on the third one next week. Overall, it’s really helped with my motivation to play. What kind of rewards can you think of that would work for you?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qiPBO.png)
I was in China during the summer of the 2002 World Cup, and nothing inspires blind patriotism like missing your favorite foods. I never cheered so hard for the US men’s team. In the quarter finals, against Germany, the refs did not call a penalty when Torsten Frings handled the ball to prevent a goal and the US lost 1-0. The question of “what if” haunts me to this day.
Watching the highlights now, it is funny how all I could remember was that handball. It’d totally forgotten Donovan missing two great looks, or the fact that Germany should have scored 2-3 other goals.
It reminds me of how, in a 1v1 I can get so caught up in one aspect of the game that I don’t give it a fair overall assessment. That one thing, whether it’s cheesing or a single bad engagement or the utter hatred of a particular unit, just ruins my mood. However, I have noticed that the way I leave the game impacts my mood going into the next game. If I rage quit, it carries over, sometimes even amplified. If I make myself give quick gg, it can help a little. Oddly, the best therapy has been to give my opponent a genuine compliment on some aspect of their play. Taking a few seconds to give them credit before I leave the game helps me think about the game overall and focuses my attention on areas I need to improve instead of excuses I could make for why I lost.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/bte7M.png)
I once asked LiquidSheth how he was able to stay so mannered and positive in his games, even ones where he was being trolled and stream sniped by Deezer. He replied very openly that in his past he had been through some pretty difficult times, and that nothing could happen to him in game that could compare to what he’s faced in real life. By contrast, he also shared about how loving and supportive his parents and family are, and that focusing on this keeps him from getting too discouraged by other situations. Reduced to clichés, Sheth was saying “it’s just a game,” and “be thankful for what you have,” but by getting personal and sharing from his heart he made those truths real for me.
Let’s stop and marvel at the wonderful opportunity we have before us. The fact that there is such a thing called ladder anxiety, and that tons of us have it is nothing short of amazing. Here, in a small contained environment, where there is little that is actually on the line besides our egos, we have a chance to develop the type of habits we need to face our fears. We are not just figuring out how to stop shaking like a flamingo in the arctic every time we hear a countdown sequence. We are preparing for that big job interview, for that moment when we tell the love of our life how we feel about them, for that day when everything that can go wrong does and we feel like giving up. We, in the simple act of playing a video game, are building character! We are learning the value of establishing healthy routines for self-improvement. We are practicing the discipline of respecting others no matter how we are treated. We are figuring out what makes us tick, and how to keep that tick from turning into a time bomb. Most of all, we get to have fun doing it, taking part in one of the most amazing communities out there: the sc2 community!
Thanks Blizzard for making this awesome game. Thanks TeamLiquid for providing a great place for us to share it together. And thank you reader, for being as thrilled and terrified of 1v1 ladder games as I am. Here’s to your growth and mine, as we enjoy those games together! GL HF GB!
EDIT: here's some more tips based on responses to this thread! Thanks a lot for proving me right about how awesome this community is <3
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On April 27 2012 08:22 knOxStarcraft wrote:
The best thing for me is to watch a motivational video on youtube. And once you do start playing always keep a calm mind in the game. i.e. never tell yourself you're better or worse than the opponent, and if you become angry or over confident just stop playing because that will only lead to more losses and more ladder anxiety
The best thing for me is to watch a motivational video on youtube. And once you do start playing always keep a calm mind in the game. i.e. never tell yourself you're better or worse than the opponent, and if you become angry or over confident just stop playing because that will only lead to more losses and more ladder anxiety
On April 27 2012 08:36 Marine50 wrote:
Tip #9 - Just keep hitting that Match Making button, a lot of my anxiety is before or waiting for a game, once in the game it fades
Tip #9 - Just keep hitting that Match Making button, a lot of my anxiety is before or waiting for a game, once in the game it fades
On April 27 2012 08:53 Slardar wrote:
On Daybreak I set myself a goal (In ZvT in particular) that I can creep-spread to his 3rd by the 20th minute mark, or beat that record with better multi-tasking.
On Daybreak I set myself a goal (In ZvT in particular) that I can creep-spread to his 3rd by the 20th minute mark, or beat that record with better multi-tasking.
On April 27 2012 10:51 Ragados wrote:
I find that listening to aphex twin and led zeppelin before my games relaxes me. i usually like to play a custom or team game before 1v1s also.
I find that listening to aphex twin and led zeppelin before my games relaxes me. i usually like to play a custom or team game before 1v1s also.
On April 27 2012 19:37 KapsyL wrote:
ah man i had that for so long. til i decided to make a stream and that gave me the motivation to press that scary button. good read though
ah man i had that for so long. til i decided to make a stream and that gave me the motivation to press that scary button. good read though
On April 28 2012 02:24 vervejl wrote:
Every time i hit that search button, I just say " show me what you got " cause in the end of the day, its all about your skill level =)
Every time i hit that search button, I just say " show me what you got " cause in the end of the day, its all about your skill level =)
On April 28 2012 03:37 JOJOsc2news wrote:
Playing while skyping with someone who is playing as well is really great too.
Playing while skyping with someone who is playing as well is really great too.
On April 29 2012 02:28 Tolkor wrote:
One thing that I have found to be helpful is talking to someone between games. Helps to get my brain stimulated in other areas and relaxes the mind a bit. As long as its not arguing with your GF as to what she wants to do later that night instead of playing SC2 >_>
One thing that I have found to be helpful is talking to someone between games. Helps to get my brain stimulated in other areas and relaxes the mind a bit. As long as its not arguing with your GF as to what she wants to do later that night instead of playing SC2 >_>
On April 29 2012 04:30 Wafflelisk wrote:
a tip I have... is say "gg ty"... for me I'm thanking my opponents because they've exploited a weakness in my play that I can make a mental note of and focus on for future games. They've kind of acted as a mentor and helped me improve. This helped to eliminate my ladder anxiety because I have nothing to fear going into a game because I know going in either I 1) become better at SC2 2) get the warm feeling of winning
a tip I have... is say "gg ty"... for me I'm thanking my opponents because they've exploited a weakness in my play that I can make a mental note of and focus on for future games. They've kind of acted as a mentor and helped me improve. This helped to eliminate my ladder anxiety because I have nothing to fear going into a game because I know going in either I 1) become better at SC2 2) get the warm feeling of winning
On April 29 2012 06:13 VaultDweller wrote:
I used to instantly mute my opponent after we exchanged glhf's because I respond poorly to BM and the ladder is full of it. Now that I'm over it I don't really bother with muting anymore. I can see this solving the problem a lot of ppl have with the idea of being "alone" with a random guy... it might sound pretty wierd but I know a lot of ppl that are like that.
I used to instantly mute my opponent after we exchanged glhf's because I respond poorly to BM and the ladder is full of it. Now that I'm over it I don't really bother with muting anymore. I can see this solving the problem a lot of ppl have with the idea of being "alone" with a random guy... it might sound pretty wierd but I know a lot of ppl that are like that.
On May 03 2012 16:28 scypio wrote:
One thing that held me back from playing the ladder was the fact, that at some point I hit a brick wall with a single build I did. . . In order to transition away from a certain playstyle it is good to assume one thing: you will get demoted.
My advice is this: if you feel stuck - have fun! Play the ladder the way you want to play it, not the way already know. Yes, you probably get demoted but after a while you will earn your way back. And if it does not work out with your new build - well, you can always fall back to the old one. You will become a more versatile player with a better understanding of the game, I think it is well worth it.
One thing that held me back from playing the ladder was the fact, that at some point I hit a brick wall with a single build I did. . . In order to transition away from a certain playstyle it is good to assume one thing: you will get demoted.
My advice is this: if you feel stuck - have fun! Play the ladder the way you want to play it, not the way already know. Yes, you probably get demoted but after a while you will earn your way back. And if it does not work out with your new build - well, you can always fall back to the old one. You will become a more versatile player with a better understanding of the game, I think it is well worth it.
On May 03 2012 23:46 DeanMalinco wrote:
I watch a stream on TL of my race to get me in the right mindset. I usually like to watch one for 15-30 minutes and just kind of get my mind thinking about sc2.
If you are winning or losing it is still helpful to take a 5-10 minute break. I will watch some TV, grab a drink, go outside on my patio for some fresh air, do some pushups, etc.
I watch a stream on TL of my race to get me in the right mindset. I usually like to watch one for 15-30 minutes and just kind of get my mind thinking about sc2.
If you are winning or losing it is still helpful to take a 5-10 minute break. I will watch some TV, grab a drink, go outside on my patio for some fresh air, do some pushups, etc.
On May 04 2012 00:18 _fool wrote:
I overcame most of that by engaging in friendly banter each game. Nowadays I always start my games with something more original then "glhf". I often mourn my fallen scout in public ("Jimmy was good man, and an even better scout!"), and more of that nonsense. It helps me relax, it helps my opponents relax (I guess?), and as a result I have a lot more fun. I often chat with my opponents after the game is finished, and those conversations usually yield some useful feedback. I even get bm'd/cheesed less (or do I just care less, as a result of being a happy gamer?)
I overcame most of that by engaging in friendly banter each game. Nowadays I always start my games with something more original then "glhf". I often mourn my fallen scout in public ("Jimmy was good man, and an even better scout!"), and more of that nonsense. It helps me relax, it helps my opponents relax (I guess?), and as a result I have a lot more fun. I often chat with my opponents after the game is finished, and those conversations usually yield some useful feedback. I even get bm'd/cheesed less (or do I just care less, as a result of being a happy gamer?)
2nd EDIT: My Response to those who 'don't get' ladder anxiety
+ Show Spoiler +
I can't answer for everyone but for myself the fear comes from not knowing what is going to happen, and thus not knowing if i'm prepared for it. While everything remains unknown, it's tempting for me to focus on worst case scenarios: "What if he/she is a zerg? What if they cheese? What if... what if.. what if..." Some people, myself included, from time to time find this moment paralyzing. Once i'm in game, and scouting, and making decisions, that fear is replaced with genuine thrill and excitement, because I know what's going on.
This post is about how those of us who are less self-assured can get from that initial moment of dread to the fun of the game itself. It's about how to preoccupy our minds and have more positive thoughts, and to find a motivation that overcomes that unfounded emotion. Ladder anxiety is not always about people who have too big an ego and don't want to lose. Sometimes it's about the lack of ego, and the need to learn how to build confidence in stressful situations. I'm hoping to encourage the latter group.
For those who can't relate to this, i happily say 'good for you!' But also, please just realize we are all different, with different strengths and weaknesses. And please be sympathetic and cheer us on.
This post is about how those of us who are less self-assured can get from that initial moment of dread to the fun of the game itself. It's about how to preoccupy our minds and have more positive thoughts, and to find a motivation that overcomes that unfounded emotion. Ladder anxiety is not always about people who have too big an ego and don't want to lose. Sometimes it's about the lack of ego, and the need to learn how to build confidence in stressful situations. I'm hoping to encourage the latter group.
For those who can't relate to this, i happily say 'good for you!' But also, please just realize we are all different, with different strengths and weaknesses. And please be sympathetic and cheer us on.
Also: if you found this article helpful. Pls upvote on reddit for me
Thank you so much!
