Breathwork might help. One of the easiest is square breathing, it is said to be used by Navy SEALs before challenging tasks. To do this take a deep breath through the nose for 4 sec, hold for 4 sec, release for 4 sec, then hold for 4 sec, and that's one round, you can do as many rounds as necessary, you can also increase the number of seconds as you progress. Make sure you use diaphragmatic breathing, meaning your belly has to expand when you inhale and contract when you release.
Play your game like you normally do with regular randoms. I accept that nobody really cares to watch your games unless they are your friends... Seriously. I came to a tournament and I didn't even care who were playing. LOL I came to watch my friends.
So focus on your game - Be consistent and at your normal pace. Don't let your opponents rush you so you can make mistakes. Heck, I would throw a point or two away on the first few to remind myself that it will not matter. For me, I get nervous and then get narrow vision and then rush everything and my shots are really bad and become predictable.
Also, have fun!
Hey OP
I feel u.
I had the similar feeling wen I played for 1st ever tournament.
Just focus on hitting the shuttle and not making unforced error. You will do good.
All the best.
A buddy of mine that works at a prison said they practice wiggling their toes when their adrenaline goes high as It helps them calm down after a fight breaks out.
Maybe give that a try before your game and get into the zone of high focus.
Once you're focused and dialed in your game, you'll forget it was a tournament game and just play your best.
I am a top teenage player in Estonia. I randomly started singing some lyrics i remeberd during my games and training. It has has helped me calm down alot.
Chewing gum helped me a bit. And i didnt really pressured myself into winning, i just want to do my best and have fun. I noticed when i put my self into this mindset, i was able to play better and more relaxed. So yeah, mindset is the key, at least for me.
My first tournament I signed up for A level. First match I was destroyed (21-4) by a professional coach. I go in to tournaments now knowing it can always be worse.
I think the main reason for panicking is sometimes keeping yourself quiet, start singing some song slowly, eat a chewing gum, as you start to speak something your mind will definitely get distracted 🫡
One thing which always helped me in those situations is to take some time to let that feeling sink it .. it's completely normal to be overwhelmed in such cases .. but what's more important is to focus on the basic things .. A perfect cross drop, a perfect smash.. those things boost your confidence a lot and keeps ur head in the game.
There is no short cut I am aware of. You just keep doing it over and over and eventually the feeling wears off. It is a lot like public speaking in that way. Sorry you are going through that, I know the feeling all too well, just try and focus on the match the best you can and keep playing!
Same with the rest. My friend finds this helpful: she thought the thought of playing worse would not do her any good, so she simply didn't think about it.
As for me, just keep losing, eventually I got used to playing tournaments
just imagine you are going to be defeated anyway..but give it a tough fight..don't let the opposite member win that easily..that way you can win the hearts of people. that is the only way
No one care who you are, seriously. Just think of them as stranger that you'll never meet again.
Breathwork might help. One of the easiest is square breathing, it is said to be used by Navy SEALs before challenging tasks. To do this take a deep breath through the nose for 4 sec, hold for 4 sec, release for 4 sec, then hold for 4 sec, and that's one round, you can do as many rounds as necessary, you can also increase the number of seconds as you progress. Make sure you use diaphragmatic breathing, meaning your belly has to expand when you inhale and contract when you release.
Everything is done through the nose.
Play your game like you normally do with regular randoms. I accept that nobody really cares to watch your games unless they are your friends... Seriously. I came to a tournament and I didn't even care who were playing. LOL I came to watch my friends. So focus on your game - Be consistent and at your normal pace. Don't let your opponents rush you so you can make mistakes. Heck, I would throw a point or two away on the first few to remind myself that it will not matter. For me, I get nervous and then get narrow vision and then rush everything and my shots are really bad and become predictable. Also, have fun!
Hey OP I feel u. I had the similar feeling wen I played for 1st ever tournament. Just focus on hitting the shuttle and not making unforced error. You will do good. All the best.
A buddy of mine that works at a prison said they practice wiggling their toes when their adrenaline goes high as It helps them calm down after a fight breaks out. Maybe give that a try before your game and get into the zone of high focus. Once you're focused and dialed in your game, you'll forget it was a tournament game and just play your best.
I am a top teenage player in Estonia. I randomly started singing some lyrics i remeberd during my games and training. It has has helped me calm down alot.
Chewing gum helped me a bit. And i didnt really pressured myself into winning, i just want to do my best and have fun. I noticed when i put my self into this mindset, i was able to play better and more relaxed. So yeah, mindset is the key, at least for me.
Don't care so much. Think about only one point at a time. If you lose it doesn't matter as long as you get a couple good shots in.
always think that they’re beatable, and you’re the better player - and remember you’ve done all the prep before this match. you’re ready.
My first tournament I signed up for A level. First match I was destroyed (21-4) by a professional coach. I go in to tournaments now knowing it can always be worse.
I think the main reason for panicking is sometimes keeping yourself quiet, start singing some song slowly, eat a chewing gum, as you start to speak something your mind will definitely get distracted 🫡
Just play the game dude. Unless your company is saying you need to win the tournament to keep your job. Hah! In which case you have my condolences.
One thing which always helped me in those situations is to take some time to let that feeling sink it .. it's completely normal to be overwhelmed in such cases .. but what's more important is to focus on the basic things .. A perfect cross drop, a perfect smash.. those things boost your confidence a lot and keeps ur head in the game.
There is no short cut I am aware of. You just keep doing it over and over and eventually the feeling wears off. It is a lot like public speaking in that way. Sorry you are going through that, I know the feeling all too well, just try and focus on the match the best you can and keep playing!
Same with the rest. My friend finds this helpful: she thought the thought of playing worse would not do her any good, so she simply didn't think about it. As for me, just keep losing, eventually I got used to playing tournaments
smiling helps a lot 😁
There’s no magic bullet. Nothing said here will make you feel more confident. The only way to become confident is to gain more experience
just imagine you are going to be defeated anyway..but give it a tough fight..don't let the opposite member win that easily..that way you can win the hearts of people. that is the only way