Stage Fright?

[will6680]

Have you ever gotten stage fright when you were cubing in a competition?

My first one is coming up soon (Oct 2nd, http://www.cubingusa.com/harvard/) and I dont know. I mean, I've never cubed infront of a crowd.

Just pretend there in there underwear?

Will6680 :fp

 

[Joemamma556]

I wasn't but I usually don't get nervous. Just make sure you know what you know and don't cram new algs in the night before.

 

[freshcuber]

I've never been to a comp before but when I practice I listen to music. Do they let you listen to iPods? That would seem like a good way to block out the noise and then if you stare at just the stackmat itll be like nobody else is there. In theory.

 

[Cubenovice]

Just try to enjoy yourself!

One tip: don't rush your solves, see sig.

 

[will6680]

I've never been to a comp before but when I practice I listen to music. Do they let you listen to iPods? That would seem like a good way to block out the noise and then if you stare at just the stackmat itll be like nobody else is there. In theory.

LOL me too! I listen to metal when I cube o.o

 

[freshcuber]

Depends on what I'm doing. If I'm learning algs I'll listen to, like, club beats but when I'm just doing averages I turn on my Billy Joel playlist on Pandora :tu my mood does influence what I listen to though.

 

[shelley]

I've never been to a comp before but when I practice I listen to music. Do they let you listen to iPods? That would seem like a good way to block out the noise and then if you stare at just the stackmat itll be like nobody else is there. In theory.

No (regulation 2i). You can wear headphones for noise blocking purposes, but only if they're not connected to anything.

And honestly, after competing in over 50 competitions, I still get nervous sometimes. It's just something you'll have to get used to. The degree of stage fright depends on the environment sometimes - if it's loud and there are a lot of solves going on at the same time, it's easier to convince yourself that nobody's watching you, as opposed to a tense final round where each competitor does their solve alone on stage and all eyes are on you.

Joemamma556 is right though, don't try to learn new algs or techniques the night before, just stick with what you're comfortable with. Good luck and most importantly, have fun! Talk to people, cube with them, don't worry so much about your personal result if it's not what you expected. It's not everyday you're surrounded by so many people who share your hobby.

 

[Andrew Ricci]

Just make sure you know all your algs. And I'll see you there!

 

[freshcuber]

Hm that sucks. Cube in a Wal-Mart or on a bench at the mall in the food court. At first people will look at you like you're a weirdo but after 5 solves you'll be so into your cube you probably won't care anymore. Just learn to focus on just your cube in stressful situations.

 

[Joker]

Hm that sucks. Cube in a Wal-Mart or on a bench at the mall in the food court. At first people will look at you like you're a weirdo but after 5 solves you'll be so into your cube you probably won't care anymore. Just learn to focus on just your cube in stressful situations.

If they look at you say "WTF R U LOOKIN AT"
Lol jk. But that is a good idea.

 

[shelley]

I used to cube while waiting in airports. Once in a while I would look up and try to spot the people who are pretending they weren't just staring at you (or the ones that still are unabashedly staring). It's kind of amusing.

 

[krnballerzzz]

I used to cube while waiting in airports. Once in a while I would look up and try to spot the people who are pretending they weren't just staring at you (or the ones that still are unabashedly staring). It's kind of amusing.

Shelley is a showoff~

Back to the topic. I go through a stupid little ritual before solves. Kind of like how basketball players shoot a freethrow using the exact same method everytime to put them in the zone and ensure accuracy.
I close my eyes, rub my hands together, and take two deeep breaths. I say "ready" right after I take my second deep breath and open my eyes. Kind of weird, but it puts my mind at ease.

 

[Andrew Ricci]

Talking to Sarah Strong always helps me.

 

[qqwref]

The thing is, at a competition, unless you are very fast or you brought a group of friends/family, nobody IS watching you (except the judge, but they're not looking critically, just trying to see if you are following the rules). It's really nothing like performing on a stage or giving a speech, because in general the audience doesn't care - they're watching the fastest person, or practicing, or watching all the people milling around onstage.

Anyway, I find it's helpful to just concentrate on your solve. Do your best to tune everything unrelated out and make sure to pay attention to what you're doing. Don't make the mistake of trying to turn faster than you're used to (because that will make you mess up more) - just treat it like a practice solve, go at a normal and comfortable speed, and keep watching the cube.

 

[Edward]

Hm that sucks. Cube in a Wal-Mart or on a bench at the mall in the food court. At first people will look at you like you're a weirdo but after 5 solves you'll be so into your cube you probably won't care anymore. Just learn to focus on just your cube in stressful situations.

If they look at you say "WTF R U LOOKIN AT"
Lol jk. But that is a good idea.

Wide turn F R U?

 

[Joker]

The thing is, at a competition, unless you are very fast or you brought a group of friends/family, nobody IS watching you (except the judge, but they're not looking critically, just trying to see if you are following the rules). It's really nothing like performing on a stage or giving a speech, because in general the audience doesn't care - they're watching the fastest person, or practicing, or watching all the people milling around onstage.

Anyway, I find it's helpful to just concentrate on your solve. Do your best to tune everything unrelated out and make sure to pay attention to what you're doing. Don't make the mistake of trying to turn faster than you're used to (because that will make you mess up more) - just treat it like a practice solve, go at a normal and comfortable speed, and keep watching the cube.

And don't whack mosquitoes.

 

[Ditto64]

If my hands are sweaty, I'll wipe 'em on my pants so the cube won't feel like its going to slip out of your hands.
For me, the nerves usually go away once I start.

 

[Lorken]

Hehe, practicing in front of people, I can do but even timing my races when I am all alone, I somehow screw it up sometimes and get way too many lock ups and pops

I think the key is to go slow.

 

[Joker]

Hm that sucks. Cube in a Wal-Mart or on a bench at the mall in the food court. At first people will look at you like you're a weirdo but after 5 solves you'll be so into your cube you probably won't care anymore. Just learn to focus on just your cube in stressful situations.

If they look at you say "WTF R U LOOKIN AT"
Lol jk. But that is a good idea.

Wide turn F R U?

that made me lol.

 

[Dene]

Just focus on the solve and ignore the people. I only get nervous if I really care about getting a good time, which has nothing to do with the crowd. This is why I tend to do well in 4x4 (I really don't care about 4x4). It's annoying.