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Post by Josh Handeland on Feb 2, 2014 3:39:29 GMT -5
One of my buddies gets super nervous at tournes,
especially bigger tourneys. He get worried that he's gonna lose to or even get slammed by guys he should beat or is expected to beat. Then he chokes and doesn't hit or pulls poorly (as far as which moves he should do ect). Any advice? Has anyone gone through nerves this bad and overcame them?
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Las Botha
Silver Member
South Africa
Posts: 298
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Post by Las Botha on Feb 2, 2014 6:15:19 GMT -5
The guy needs to learn to relish the fight and not the result.
I used to get a bad competitor's response at chess tournaments, then I took up armwrestling. Maybe convince him to play some chess so that he can start to master himself or see that there are worse things in life.
The AW table isn't big enough to fit your insecurities on them, so come angry dude and enjoy the trip.
AW bushido: accept defeat as part of life- don't approach the table as though you have something to lose, whether reputation or anything monetary.
Ever do track&field? 1st leg on 100x4 relay is the worst nerves ever.
But once the shot goes, it goes all out of the window. If you can't lose yourself in the moment you aren't pulling to your potential, which can last a lifetime and is worse than a lifetime of defeat.
We don't know the guy's temperament, but regardless of his personality, armwrestling can be his mask. IMO, the best thing is to not direct any attention to it, let alone make a post about it.
There is nothing you can do for him. Pain is the best way to acquaint a human being with reality.
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Post by Steve Siwek on Feb 2, 2014 6:16:34 GMT -5
We do a couple shots of Jack before hand to calm the nerves! Not to get drunk, but to calm down
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Las Botha
Silver Member
South Africa
Posts: 298
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Post by Las Botha on Feb 2, 2014 6:21:08 GMT -5
That being said, "nerves" aren't necessarily a bad thing. Just how you use it, or not.
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Post by Rob Vigeant Jr. on Feb 2, 2014 9:49:13 GMT -5
Sounds exactly like me Josh... Wish I had the answer, it changes day to day... Some days I'm über in my head... Others I'm full of fire and confidence... The latter isn't that often, but I'm much more dangerous on those days.
Excellent points and overall post las !!
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Post by JAMIE SHELDON on Feb 2, 2014 10:50:13 GMT -5
Grab your sac, try and find your balls if they've dropped, and man the f* ck up. End of.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using proboards
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Post by Rob Vigeant Jr. on Feb 2, 2014 11:37:32 GMT -5
^^^ I'll have to remember that... Unless my overflowing estrogen blocks my memory receptors... But hey... I still win
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Post by Rob Vigeant Jr. on Feb 2, 2014 11:38:24 GMT -5
Remember... Mike Tyson used to cry like a baby before every fight
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user123
Silver Member
VA
Posts: 381
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Post by user123 on Feb 2, 2014 13:23:08 GMT -5
I feel the same way going into a tourney Josh. Almost like you described the younger me to a tee. It used to kill me early on in my career. The fear of losing to people I should beat by missing the start still runs through my mind before every tourney. The first match typically settles my nerves though and gets me in the game. Winning the first match is ideal, but even losing can get me focused. I lost my first RH match at UAL 6, got focused, then won the next five in a row to make the final four. If hes on Facebook I'd be happy to talk to him about it.
And Jamie, it is not a fear of getting hurt or being in competition, it is a fear of letting yourself and other people that support you down.
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Post by Rob Vigeant Jr. on Feb 2, 2014 13:28:45 GMT -5
^^^ bingo !! Falling short when you know you are capable of more
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Post by Duke Sarkisian on Feb 2, 2014 14:16:20 GMT -5
of course Tyson cried...he knew everyone was going to take all his money...  |
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Josh McEllrath
Gold Member
National Champion
PNW Armwreckers
Posts: 508
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Post by Josh McEllrath on Feb 2, 2014 14:45:14 GMT -5
Nerves are awesome! Let's you know you care about what is about to happen. I'd be afraid if I felt amazing before a tournament, because that would mean I'm not taking it seriously. This happens so often in sports it's not even funny, and sports psychologists buy BMW's and Mercedes because of it. Hitting slumps, inability to hit jumpshots, can't putt, you name it it's happening right now all over the sports world. I used to get it pretty bad before certain events as a baseball player, but an old crusty coach put it like this to me. "You won't die if you lose you feckin poosy, remember why you started playing in the first place and go have fun." Perspective on any situation is always good, sometimes we lose touch with how much fun competing really is.
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user123
Silver Member
VA
Posts: 381
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Post by user123 on Feb 2, 2014 15:12:34 GMT -5
^^^ bingo !! Falling short when you know you are capable of more That's it. Also if I've paid money to travel to a tourney and haven taken time away from my family, there is that much more pressure to do well. Josh, tell your buddy to not bring any family or friends with him to a tourney. He will feel less pressure and won't worry as much about letting others down or wasting their time. |
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Post by John Schnell on Feb 2, 2014 15:35:56 GMT -5
I feel the same way going into a tourney Josh. Almost like you described the younger me to a tee. It used to kill me early on in my career. The fear of losing to people I should beat by missing the start still runs through my mind before every tourney. The first match typically settles my nerves though and gets me in the game. Winning the first match is ideal, but even losing can get me focused. I lost my first RH match at UAL 6, got focused, then won the next five in a row to make the final four. If hes on Facebook I'd be happy to talk to him about it. And Jamie, it is not a fear of getting hurt or being in competition, it is a fear of letting yourself and other people that support you down. This is such a perfect response and explanation of the situation, thanks for putting it so correctly Bryan. I have awesome friends and teammates, but they are part of the problem sometimes what with their (perceived) expectations. I have the same issues as your friend, so much so that I only practice pull to get my teammates better. It has nothing to do with finding your balls and manning up. I had been quite successful throughout my life in sports, even individual sports like wrestling (medaled in national competitions). I'm not sure when I lost the ability to harness my nerves, but I honestly think it was sometime around having my first kid. I get physically ill at the thought of competitive pulling, and I am sure I'm older than your friend Josh. I don't know the answer, and at this point I'm not sure it matters for me. Right now I actively participate because it keeps me relatively fit, I like the camaraderie, and I truly feel like I help some guys I train with get better. My friend Paul loves the competition, and (I swear) exponentially gets stronger during a tournament or challenge match. I can't believe some of the stuff he does when it is "for real". Conversely, I feel just the opposite. |
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Post by Josh Handeland on Feb 2, 2014 16:49:41 GMT -5
Thanks for all the answers guys! ^^^ bingo !! Falling short when you know you are capable of more Josh, tell your buddy to not bring any family or friends with him to a tourney. He will feel less pressure and won't worry as much about letting others down or wasting their time. Well his family usually doesn't come to big tourneys with him, teammates do of course and they're friends too. So kinda hard there. He brings family with him to some tourneys closer to home and it never seems to be an issue. In fact maybe it makes him stronger.... |
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