Training Notes: Learn To Take The L

I finally got my Nintendo Online subscription renewed and I went online for a couple of bouts. Needless to say, I've been out of practice and got my ass handed back to me a couple of times. I was sent on a losing streak for a while and I really got heated.

You know the typical:

"How did that hit?!"

"BS, why didn't my side smash hit the right direction?!"

"SO MUCH DAMN LAG"

"THESE JOYCONS ARE BROKEN"

"Someone opened a can of spam, cause that's all I'm seeing this match"

AAAAAAAAAAAAA- needless to say it wasn't great to just seemingly lose over and over and over. Each and every one of us had hit that low point sometimes where it felt like you'd never win with any character. But if Melee rage compilations taught us anything, how you take those "L"s is what not only defines you as a player but also is a pivotal step in becoming great.

Now obviously not everyone needs to read this but I know you probably know someone that may need the advice desperately. I consider myself fairly average so I'm not that particularly skilled as a player but hell I sure do know a lot about losing and I want to share some tips to change the mindset and get back on your feet.

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CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON LOSING

Look I know that when you get on a losing streak it's hard to get out of that rage and frustration from the previous one or two or three matches you've gone getting spiked, bodied, MLG 360 scoped, etc.

   But however, whether it's a rematch or not you need to see each match as a new beginning. At the start of a match both players have an equal chance to win (even with items as they spawn randomly) and what happened in the previous round has no bearing on your ability to perform now.

  You just need to clear your head and move on from the past with the lessons you've learned. As cliche as it sounds, each loss is a learning experience. This isn't a sign that you're automatically a trash player, it is a necessity in your journey to lose to become amazing. Always that even the greats like Zero and MewTwoKing had to take some losses to be who they are.

ANALYZE YOUR REPLAYS

  If you really wish to get better, be sure to save a replay of matches you lost so you can come back to them later. If a particular matchup went sour, find out what that player did that bested you and use that info against other players online. I saved a replay against a Roy player that knocked my Inkling out of Elite Smash and yes I was upset but yeah he was a good player.

So yeah he was up 2 stocks, it was hard to get around him and he really had me down. I rewatched this video so many times. There were times not shown where I threw the splat bomb the wrong way because my hands tensed up from anger and I lost my concentration that probably could've brought me a comeback. Check yourself before you wreck yourself as they say and you'll be able to calm your heart rate so you can think more clearly.

HOW TO COMBAT YOUR ANGER

  One of the first things that happen when you feel angry is that you go into the fight or flight response. If you’re a non-confrontational person or in a position, such as being at work, where you don’t feel comfortable showing anger, your instinct will tell you to get away from the source of your problem.

    Otherwise, you’re going to go into the fight response which is how we typically see anger. You raise your voice, make accusations, become defensive and show negative body language. These behaviors are harmful and irrational, yet we do them anyway because when we’re angry our perception of risk and danger is lowered. If you watch Melee Rage vids you can see a person's true colors when they are faced with a loss, which has led to property damage, disrespectful behavior, interest in starting a conflict, and A LOT of broken game cube controllers. R.I.P

    There are plenty of useful techniques that can calm you down that don't require putting a hole into something....or someone....or screaming every known cuss in your language.

1. Take A Break

-Ok so like well no shiz right? But actually, we do tend to forget to put the controller down when we need to. We constantly keep fighting to find a way to redeem ourselves so we don't feel like we lost 5 times in a row.

   Timeouts aren't just for kids. Give yourself short breaks during play sessions of the day that tend to be stressful. A few moments of quiet time might help you feel better prepared to handle what's ahead without getting irritated or angry. Plus you can go grab a snack or something. Just go do something else you enjoy for a while and come back when you're cooling off.

2. Hold Self-ability

  You will run into those scummy players that do things to intentionally anger you like Dededes with their sexy pose, tea-baggings, spamming projectiles, and even camping on one side of the stage. Unfortunately, they will win if you don't know how to get around their attacks.

   But instead of throwing the blame game on other factors, just think about what YOU should do to fix the problem. How can YOU improve from this experience? How can YOU deal with these people next time (cause there's always a next time) and if it was something like lag or broken controls that's just a thing to take care of externally. It's not always easy to hold yourself able but its a good skill for Smash and also life in general. You aren't in the wrong for being upset but you gotta shift your focus into something more constructive.

3. Just Breathe

   Deep breathing offers numerous health benefits, from stress reduction to a slower heartbeat and reduced blood pressure. It also promotes core muscle stability and helps you better tolerate intense exercise. Additionally, deep breathing is particularly helpful for managing stress. Stressful thoughts may cause the “fight or flight” response we talked about earlier.

   One example of a breathing exercise you can perform is diaphragmatic or belly breathing. Just sit down or lie down flat on your back. Place one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest. Breathe in slowly through your nose and let your belly expand, ensuring your chest does not move. Breathe out slowly through slightly parted lips, as though you are whistling. Use your hand to push all of the air out of your belly, and repeat the exercise three or more times. It should slow down your heart rate and assist in the relaxation

   The relaxation helped me in another battle against a Captain Falcon where he was killing me in the beginning but his own aggressive playstyle backfired. We tend to also become more aggressive when another player is getting combo happy.

I did win this exchange as I kept myself composed and concentrated. Anger can be useful sometimes for adrenaline and sharpened senses but it's better to have more control of your emotion rather than giving into it.

DONT GIVE UP

   It is discouraging seeing someone completely destroy you, and it's reasonable to step away from the game for a while if you just don't have as much fun. But don't let those guys stop you from soldiering on, if you really enjoy Smash despite the tough times then you gotta keep going.

   There will be days where you can't seem to win but there will also be the vice versa as you grow. Unfortunately, the Smash community has had its fair share of bad sportsmanship seen at tournaments and big events (not all the time obviously). While not representative of the community as a whole, its what others see first sometimes and if we continue to push that inclusive and fun attitude, we can change perception of the community.

   If your character isn't 'top tier :tm: ', who cares? Keep playing and mastering them if you really enjoy it. Now if your anger does affect you well into your everyday life I do encourage seeking some assistance if needed. No shame in it of course.

I found some videos from content creators that were pretty useful for me personally at improving my play. I'd suggest you just take a quick look if you would like some more in-depth

advice on the game:

5 Reasons Why You're Trash at Smash: Tips For Improving - Shokio

30 Tips to Improve at Smash Ultimate- BananaBoySSB

How to Play Smash Ultimate- ZeRo

Smash Ultimate (How To Improve Movement)- Jtails

Smash Ultimate Workshop Advanced Guide- Arekkz Gaming

Now obviously you don't have to take what these videos say as law but it's good to look for help.

   Just that this losing streak is only temporary and will come back. Just don't cave into your negative emotions and just continue having fun because at the end of the day Smash is all about that. A celebration of video game culture, the long-lasting memories and just having fun. We can all forget that sometimes.

Thanks for reading