Gaming "Slump"

[e2density]

First off, I would like to say that I play games at a semi-competitive level (league play, but not like traveling to LAN's and getting paid) but I would like to get some advice from the community.

Every now and then I seem to go through these "slumps" where I lose my aim, I can't seem to get any kills on players that I OBVIOUSLY know I can easily beat, my shots just aren't landing, and it just messes with me. And it frustrates me, knowing that I'm losing when I really shouldn't be...

Because one day I'm doing awesome, my team is happy, then the next day it's like I'm a completely different person...and these slumps last for a while, I know that to be true...it really takes a while to get out of these periods. So, this is sort of a two part thing...

A. Do you go through these "slumps" like I do?
B. What do YOU do to get out of them?

 

[The Hairminator]

I get those often. It just depends on your level of focus, really.

Sleep properly, eat properly, excersize, learn to meditate. That's my suggestions.
Also, accept that we all have moments when we suck more than usual.

 

[sephiroth1991]

If i'm playing people i don't know i can sometimes start to do shit but whenever i play with my friends i uncannily do great

 

[sketch_zeppelin]

Mine don't useally last more than a day...of course i don't spend alot of time on muliplayer. mabey you should try taking a break from multiplayer games for a day (or just games in general).

 

[L4hlborg]

A. Yes, I occasionally suck really bad. Then I get frustrated. Then I run into bullets of campers. Then I get more frustrated. And the cycle goes on until the match ends or I stop playing.

B. What I do is... Well, nothing really. I just start doing better at some point. A lot better actually.

 

[Omikron009]

I don't play multiplayer that much, so they're not as noticeable, but I had one significant slump once. I had played Modern Warfare 2 online at friends' houses in the past, and I always did fairly well. The first game I ever played I got the highest score in the game. However, I had one play session where I was absolutely terrible, struggling to put together enough kills for even a UAV. It was bizarre.

 

[Kif]

It spans further than gaming. In fact, you've probably turned your gaming into a job as that's my comparison for you. When you do something like a job where constantly sometimes you go through slumps where your head just isn't in it and you start making mistakes and what not... fortunately jobs have vacations, however, what you've got yourself into is your own making and can only be moderated by yourself.

But... it's playing a game, so meh... why take it so serious?

Personally, no, I get no slumps I'm consistantly above average... not brilliant, just above average (to quantify that statement when I do sneak online if I'm not playing against some elitist clan of people who practice the game often I tend to come in the top 50%) and it's probably because I moderate my life, I spend maybe a few hours a month playing games. The rest of my time is spent bettering my life.

 

[Edorf]

Oh god, yes I do! I thought I was the only one with this problem... I get it especially in MW2.
I just rage and conclude with a loss of mojo before I try again the next day.

 

[Sephychu]

I have slumps like that, but I get out of them by playing games which I don't care agbout not doing well in.

 

[Audio]

I've slumpped down a long way since i was 20. I sorta blame World of Warcraft for killing my aim; FPS is all i used to play. Now that I have put WoW away I never did get back my 'skills'. I can still pull off a good show now and then though

Practice is all i can suggest but i found the right music track while playing helps

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

Wow, this is gonna be tough...

You're. Getting. Old.

 

[Zaik]

it's bound to happen. You'll notice that the opposite happens as well. It's part of being human.

 

[e2density]

Wow, this is gonna be tough...

You're. Getting. Old.

Old at 16?
Most of the world's top players are between 18-21, statistically I'm supposed to get better, and I know I am. I've just temporarily stopped getting better :\

And good advice so far!

 

[DSK-]

Yes I get them, however I believe they are all attributed to your personal psychology and in general how you feel. If you feel like crap you will play crap. If you are too self-concious of losing or doing badly you will do badly.

Someone once linked me to an ebook that regarded the mindset of a swordmaster - and the basic message in it was that if you concentrate on one particular aspect of something - say your aim, then your mind will be taken in by that. If you concentrate on the enemy's location your mind will also be taken in by that. However, if you don't focus on anything and "don't think" your mind will flow to where-ever it needs to go. It sounds daft, doesn't it? not thinking.

But it works. The times you play a game and you do so amazingly well that you seem like you just blacked out and were playing automatically are times when this mindset happens.

You might think that I may be talking crap, but I know that this is true for I have personally experienced it.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

Wow, this is gonna be tough...

You're. Getting. Old.

Old at 16?
Most of the world's top players are between 18-21, statistically I'm supposed to get better, and I know I am. I've just temporarily stopped getting better :\

And good advice so far!

Say again! I can't hear you from the other side of this fucking hill!

 

[Whitethunder]

Ya when you play for so long you will slump because you tend to not really care and get complacent. It usually happens when you are just playing online for just fun and not actually in an actual match. Plus someone said something about losing focus due to lack of sleep and othe distractions which is definitely true. It's funny how gaming requires plenty of sleep and other things to remain alert and agile. Good stuff.

 

[Whitethunder]

If i'm playing people i don't know i can sometimes start to do shit but whenever i play with my friends i uncannily do great

That's cause when you play your friends the shit is personal and you gotta keep your rep up so you focus more on the game because your rep is at stake. I'm the same way lol. Braggin rights are a powerful tool in the online world when it comes to your buds.

 

[Booze Zombie]

When I was reading up on Tai Chi, they refereed to this as your actual Chi and how if you focused and meditated, your "chi" would become stronger for a while.
Focused chi basically being short-hand for "being in the zone".

You may want to just learn meditation if you'd like to control when you're in the zone for league play, could help.

 

[Epailes]

Yes I sometimes get these aswell

I find the best way is just to stop playing for a while, could be hours or even a day or 2, then you come back refreshed and not wanting to smash your controller into brand new TV >.>

 

[sephiroth1991]

If i'm playing people i don't know i can sometimes start to do shit but whenever i play with my friends i uncannily do great

That's cause when you play your friends the shit is personal and you gotta keep your rep up so you focus more on the game because your rep is at stake. I'm the same way lol. Braggin rights are a powerful tool in the online world when it comes to your buds.

Yeah but i never brag to my friends, even after i have a 8-1 ratio against them in matches.