Pre-tournament Routines

Spencer · Post by **Spencer** » Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:03 am

Hi I am pretty new to quizbowl and I was wondering how people warm-up before tournaments because in my own experience it takes me about half a match before my brain really kicks into gear. I was wondering what people do and if anyone has any adivce on how to calm your nerves before a game.

i never see pigeons in wheeling · Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:16 pm

Hi Spencer, are you from the Saratoga High in California? If so, give me your/your coach's email so that you can come to more tournaments that Berkeley (and Stanford) will host.

I personally just listen to music or zone out before a game and try to avoid mental tasks or strain. It might take you a bit of playing to kind of get into that mentality of high concentration.

Mewto55555 · Post by **Mewto55555** » Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:38 pm

I run around the halls.

a bird · Post by **a bird** » Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:01 pm

Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.

A player from LASA, Nathan Weiser, I think, ran a bit before our match at the HSNCT. I haven't tried running myself, but walking briskly rather than sitting and waiting has served me fairly well.

merv1618 · Post by **merv1618** » Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:07 pm

I've found that telling jokes in a group helps. Laughing a lot right before a match gets you in a good mood and makes you more aware without tensing up.

at your pleasure · Post by **at your pleasure** » Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:56 pm

Making small talk or bringing some involved but not too taxing reading material usually works well for me.

Sniper, No Sniping! · Post by **Sniper, No Sniping!** » Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:48 pm

I listen to Sirius by The Alan Parsons Project, and in my head I pretend I'm Michael Jordan.

i never see pigeons in wheeling · Wed Aug 29, 2012 11:05 pm

Also, you should develop a pre-match ritual that gets you into the mood. I believe that the one I did with Phil and Sameer has reached some cult status.

i never see pigeons in wheeling · Wed Aug 29, 2012 11:07 pm

Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.

Shouldn't that be "levitate around the halls?" I mean, Mewtwo does float.

Charles Martel · Post by **Charles Martel** » Wed Aug 29, 2012 11:58 pm

Our team last year usually prepared by playing trash until like 3 AM the night before, and then playing horribly in the first match of the day.

ryanrosenberg · Post by **ryanrosenberg** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 12:03 am

A teammate of mine and I would listen to Public Enemy's "He Got Game" before big tournaments.

I'd like to hear theories on how to avoid the dreaded post-lunch lethargy.

dtaylor4 · Post by **dtaylor4** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 12:07 am

The Predictable Consequences wrote:A teammate of mine and I would listen to Public Enemy's "He Got Game" before big tournaments.

I'd like to hear theories on how to avoid the dreaded post-lunch lethargy.

Mind what you eat at lunch. Bring light snacks to push away the stomach rumblings.

Thu Aug 30, 2012 12:19 am

Trail mix has always been my favorite tournament snack. As for pre-game rituals, I'm either chatting with my teammates about something or listening to some sort of music to get me going. I know it sounds kind of lame, but it seems to work for me.

merv1618 · Post by **merv1618** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 12:31 am

dtaylor4 wrote:
The Predictable Consequences wrote:A teammate of mine and I would listen to Public Enemy's "He Got Game" before big tournaments.

I'd like to hear theories on how to avoid the dreaded post-lunch lethargy.
Mind what you eat at lunch. Bring light snacks to push away the stomach rumblings.

This is true. Light meals, and coffee never hurt anyone.

i never see pigeons in wheeling · Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:39 am

Oh listen to either of these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lb3MTlIrC4

I played these two on loop the night before HSNCT playoffs.

merv1618 · Post by **merv1618** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:19 am

List of Fighting Spirit characters wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lb3MTlIrC4

I played these two on loop the night before HSNCT playoffs.

The secret is out!!!

Eddie · Post by **Eddie** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:27 am

At one tournament last year, a couple of people and I got together and re-enacted several scenes from The Princess Bride. Got a few laughs and helped everyone relax.

Kilroy Was Here · Post by **Kilroy Was Here** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 7:26 am

I try to get more sleep than I usually do and before the first match drink large amounts of caffeine while listening to albums "American Idiot" or "Led Zeppelin IV"

Four the post-lunch lethargy, Five Hour Energy works wonders.

The Stately Rhododendron · Thu Aug 30, 2012 5:06 pm

Before games, I always listen to

the police by N.W.A.. I pour tons of hot sauce on whatever I eat during lunch so i dont get tired.

Cheynem · Post by **Cheynem** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 5:14 pm

I think what sometimes works for me is getting some time by myself. I don't know if people think I'm antisocial if I don't always want to go with a group for lunch or whatever, but I enjoy doing a little quick walking and some private time (not every tournament or lunch, of course, but sometimes). I think at one ICT, I chose to eat lunch by myself and then went into a Wal-Mart and power walked around the store a little bit (making sure to peek at the best-sellers to anticipate potential answers). Dunno if there was a correlation, but I thought I played really well after lunch.

4nay · Post by **4nay** » Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:34 pm

Spicy food, loud music, obnoxious tirades around the halls of the host schools, and (most importantly) many games of Mao.

merv1618 · Post by **merv1618** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 2:26 pm

4nay wrote:and (most importantly) many games of Mao.

Draw four for misuse of the name.

Wendish Crusade · Post by **Wendish Crusade** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:07 pm

merv1618 wrote:
4nay wrote:and (most importantly) many games of .
Draw four for misuse of the name.

Point of order. I don't think you can actually prove it was misuse at the time.

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Sun Sep 02, 2012 7:04 pm

Wendish Crusade wrote:
merv1618 wrote:
4nay wrote:and (most importantly) many games of .
Draw four for misuse of the name.
Point of order. I don't think you can actually prove it was misuse at the time.

I'm cutting you off here.

Beevor Feevor · Post by **Beevor Feevor** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 2:19 pm

Small talk and altoids. Shockingly helpful actually, and keeps the breath nice :) (not that that's necessary for quiz bowl in any way, as sitting next to certain teams have shown me....)

Spencer · Post by **Spencer** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:12 am

What do you guys do the night before a tournament, just relax, or do you do a last minute review of anything?

merv1618 · Post by **merv1618** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 1:56 pm

Staying up late arguing is a common ritual.

Tanay · Post by **Tanay** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:16 pm

Some of my teammates like to brush up on current events the night before, since that's something that can be done quickly and rather effortlessly.

Emil Nolde · Post by **Emil Nolde** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:11 am

GrahamReid wrote:
Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.
A player from LASA, Nathan Weiser, I think, ran a bit before our match at the HSNCT. I haven't tried running myself, but walking briskly rather than sitting and waiting has served me fairly well.

Last year, before Ultima iirc, I got in trouble for doing shirtless laps around the Best Western. I had never felt more alive!

Mewto55555 · Post by **Mewto55555** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:09 pm

thyringe_supine wrote:
GrahamReid wrote:
Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.
A player from LASA, Nathan Weiser, I think, ran a bit before our match at the HSNCT. I haven't tried running myself, but walking briskly rather than sitting and waiting has served me fairly well.
Last year, before Ultima iirc, I got in trouble for doing shirtless laps around the Best Western. I had never felt more alive!

No dude, you keep the shirt on until the match starts.

Emil Nolde · Post by **Emil Nolde** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:43 am

Mewto55555 wrote:
thyringe_supine wrote:
GrahamReid wrote:
Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.
A player from LASA, Nathan Weiser, I think, ran a bit before our match at the HSNCT. I haven't tried running myself, but walking briskly rather than sitting and waiting has served me fairly well.
Last year, before Ultima iirc, I got in trouble for doing shirtless laps around the Best Western. I had never felt more alive!
No dude, you keep the shirt on until the match starts.

But then it gets ruined when I [BREAK FORUM RULES BY TALKING ABOUT ANIME --the mgmt].
But in all seriousness, drink a lot of water the day before the tournament; it helps you think more clearly, and I personally find that I play better when I have a medium level of bladder urgency.

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:09 am

I read this thread, and then a single tear runs down my cheek.

Realdeo · Post by **Realdeo** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 2:54 am

I usually just stare at the wall and go to the toilet.

. By going to toilet, I eliminate the concern of have sudden bladder need, which means less concern, better mood. I also loves to walk around. My friend? They talk about something naughty. No need to mention which naughty topic.

Fred wrote:I read this thread, and then a single tear runs down my cheek.

??

Citizen Snips · Post by **Citizen Snips** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 3:34 am

Christian. Radio. That simple.

Lawrence Simon · Post by **Lawrence Simon** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 11:20 pm

I've personally found that reading trash questions before a competition gets people in the spirit but keeps things relaxed.

The Polebarn Hotel · Post by **The Polebarn Hotel** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 11:39 pm

I wish I had an interesting and quirky pre-tournament routine to share, but I don't. I just eat or drink something and start madly, idiosyncratically bobbing my leg like I always do. .-.

Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock · Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:07 pm

I love watching this video before competitions, it always gets me really fired up.

tgaddy · Post by **tgaddy** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:32 pm

Realdeo wrote:I usually just stare at the wall and go to the toilet. . By going to toilet, I eliminate the concern of have sudden bladder need, which means less concern, better mood. I also loves to walk around. My friend? They talk about something naughty. No need to mention which naughty topic.

Fred wrote:I read this thread, and then a single tear runs down my cheek.
??

Never go to the bathroom during a tournament, keeps you nice and jumpy on the buzzer.

Capitoline · Post by **Capitoline** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:09 pm

tgaddy wrote:
Realdeo wrote:I usually just stare at the wall and go to the toilet. . By going to toilet, I eliminate the concern of have sudden bladder need, which means less concern, better mood. I also loves to walk around. My friend? They talk about something naughty. No need to mention which naughty topic.

Fred wrote:I read this thread, and then a single tear runs down my cheek.
??
Never go to the bathroom during a tournament, keeps you nice and jumpy on the buzzer.

This is true. However, tossups on rivers can get a little painful late in the day...

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:13 pm

Realdeo wrote:I usually just stare at the wall and go to the toilet. . By going to toilet, I eliminate the concern of have sudden bladder need, which means less concern, better mood. I also loves to walk around. My friend? They talk about something naughty. No need to mention which naughty topic.

ACF Nationals 2014: Sudden Bladder Need