Pre-tournament Routines
Pre-tournament Routines
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.
Spencer Goldman
Saratoga High class of 2013
Saratoga High class of 2013
- i never see pigeons in wheeling
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
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.
Ankit
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.
Graham R.
Maryland
Maryland
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
Adam Sperber
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Making small talk or bringing some involved but not too taxing reading material usually works well for me.
Douglas Graebner, Walt Whitman HS 10, Uchicago 14
"... imagination acts upon man as really as does gravitation, and may kill him as certainly as a dose of prussic acid."-Sir James Frazer,The Golden Bough
http://avorticistking.wordpress.com/
"... imagination acts upon man as really as does gravitation, and may kill him as certainly as a dose of prussic acid."-Sir James Frazer,The Golden Bough
http://avorticistking.wordpress.com/
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
I listen to Sirius by The Alan Parsons Project, and in my head I pretend I'm Michael Jordan.
Thomas Moore
Lancaster Fisher Catholic HS c/o 2014
Ohio Wesleyan University c/o 2018
Lancaster Fisher Catholic HS c/o 2014
Ohio Wesleyan University c/o 2018
- i never see pigeons in wheeling
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
Ankit
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
- i never see pigeons in wheeling
- Rikku
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Shouldn't that be "levitate around the halls?" I mean, Mewtwo does float.Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.
Ankit
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
- Charles Martel
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
Adam Kalinich
MIT 2012-
Illinois Math and Science Academy 2009-2012
MIT 2012-
Illinois Math and Science Academy 2009-2012
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
I'd like to hear theories on how to avoid the dreaded post-lunch lethargy.
Ryan Rosenberg
North Carolina '16
NYU '26 (ideally)
ACF
North Carolina '16
NYU '26 (ideally)
ACF
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Mind what you eat at lunch. Bring light snacks to push away the stomach rumblings.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.
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
Dylan Minarik
Hamburger University 'XX
Northwestern '17
Belvidere North High School '13
Member Emeritus, PACE
JRPG Champion, BACK TO BACK Robot Slayer
Hamburger University 'XX
Northwestern '17
Belvidere North High School '13
Member Emeritus, PACE
JRPG Champion, BACK TO BACK Robot Slayer
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
This is true. Light meals, and coffee never hurt anyone.dtaylor4 wrote:Mind what you eat at lunch. Bring light snacks to push away the stomach rumblings.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.
Adam Sperber
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
- i never see pigeons in wheeling
- Rikku
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
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.
Ankit
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
Cal '16
Bellarmine College Preparatory '12
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
The secret is out!!!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.
Adam Sperber
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
Four the post-lunch lethargy, Five Hour Energy works wonders.
Collin Parks
University of Michigan '18
"Aragorn was the famed king of Gondor, while the Iberian kingdom was Aragon. Both parties were aware of this coincidence: we have a journal entry from Aragorn that expresses his anger at receiving mail meant for King Peter IV of Aragon for the umpteenth time."~ CommodoreCoCo
University of Michigan '18
"Aragorn was the famed king of Gondor, while the Iberian kingdom was Aragon. Both parties were aware of this coincidence: we have a journal entry from Aragorn that expresses his anger at receiving mail meant for King Peter IV of Aragon for the umpteenth time."~ CommodoreCoCo
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
IKD
Yale 18
Oakland Mills 14
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Yale 18
Oakland Mills 14
"I am the NAQT beast I worship."
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
Mike Cheyne
Formerly U of Minnesota
"You killed HSAPQ"--Matt Bollinger
Formerly U of Minnesota
"You killed HSAPQ"--Matt Bollinger
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Spicy food, loud music, obnoxious tirades around the halls of the host schools, and (most importantly) many games of Mao.
Anay Katyal
Plainfield North High School '14
Michigan '18
Scholastic Bowl Coach & Teacher, Morgan Park Academy
Plainfield North High School '14
Michigan '18
Scholastic Bowl Coach & Teacher, Morgan Park Academy
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Draw four for misuse of the name.4nay wrote:and (most importantly) many games of Mao.
Adam Sperber
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Point of order. I don't think you can actually prove it was misuse at the time.merv1618 wrote:Draw four for misuse of the name.4nay wrote:and (most importantly) many games of .
Sam Gafkjen
Iowa State, '05-'12
Central Florida, '12-
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
I'm cutting you off here.Wendish Crusade wrote:Point of order. I don't think you can actually prove it was misuse at the time.merv1618 wrote:Draw four for misuse of the name.4nay wrote:and (most importantly) many games of .
Rob Carson
University of Minnesota '11, MCTC '??, BHSU forever
Member, ACF
Member emeritus, PACE
Writer and Editor, NAQT
University of Minnesota '11, MCTC '??, BHSU forever
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Writer and Editor, NAQT
- Beevor Feevor
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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....)
Eric Xu
Western Albemarle '15
Virginia '19
Harvard '23
Western Albemarle '15
Virginia '19
Harvard '23
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
What do you guys do the night before a tournament, just relax, or do you do a last minute review of anything?
Spencer Goldman
Saratoga High class of 2013
Saratoga High class of 2013
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Staying up late arguing is a common ritual.
Adam Sperber
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
Hickman '10
Northwestern B '14
Loyola (inactive) '21
" 'Yay, more Adam Sperber' --Nobody " --Cody Voight
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
Tanay
ex-Berkeley, ex-Bellarmine
ex-Berkeley, ex-Bellarmine
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Last year, before Ultima iirc, I got in trouble for doing shirtless laps around the Best Western. I had never felt more alive!GrahamReid wrote: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.Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.
James Zetterman
Carbondale Community High School '15
SIU Carbondale '19 or thereabouts
Keep your expectations low.
Carbondale Community High School '15
SIU Carbondale '19 or thereabouts
Keep your expectations low.
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
No dude, you keep the shirt on until the match starts.thyringe_supine wrote:Last year, before Ultima iirc, I got in trouble for doing shirtless laps around the Best Western. I had never felt more alive!GrahamReid wrote: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.Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.
Max
formerly of Ladue, Chicago
formerly of Ladue, Chicago
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
But then it gets ruined when I [BREAK FORUM RULES BY TALKING ABOUT ANIME --the mgmt].Mewto55555 wrote:No dude, you keep the shirt on until the match starts.thyringe_supine wrote:Last year, before Ultima iirc, I got in trouble for doing shirtless laps around the Best Western. I had never felt more alive!GrahamReid wrote: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.Mewto55555 wrote:I run around the halls.
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.
James Zetterman
Carbondale Community High School '15
SIU Carbondale '19 or thereabouts
Keep your expectations low.
Carbondale Community High School '15
SIU Carbondale '19 or thereabouts
Keep your expectations low.
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
I read this thread, and then a single tear runs down my cheek.
Fred Morlan
University of Kentucky CoP, 2017
International Quiz Bowl Tournaments, CEO, co-owner
former PACE member, president, etc.
former hsqbrank manager, former NAQT writer & subject editor, former hsqb Administrator/Chief Administrator
University of Kentucky CoP, 2017
International Quiz Bowl Tournaments, CEO, co-owner
former PACE member, president, etc.
former hsqbrank manager, former NAQT writer & subject editor, former hsqb Administrator/Chief Administrator
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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.
Kerenza Doxolodeo
(SMP ASISI, INDONESIA)
(SMP ASISI, INDONESIA)
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Christian. Radio. That simple.
Jesse Bennett
University School of Nashville (TN) '14
Vanderbilt University '19
University School of Nashville (TN) '14
Vanderbilt University '19
- Lawrence Simon
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
I've personally found that reading trash questions before a competition gets people in the spirit but keeps things relaxed.
Lawrence Simon
Quince Orchard Class of '15
University of Virginia Class of '19
Quince Orchard Class of '15
University of Virginia Class of '19
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
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. .-.
Casey Wetherbee
Ithaca '17
Georgetown '21
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
I love watching this video before competitions, it always gets me really fired up.
Ryan Bilger
Emmaus '15, Gettysburg '19, West Virginia '21
National Park Service
"I never saved anything for the swim back." - Vincent Freeman, Gattaca
Emmaus '15, Gettysburg '19, West Virginia '21
National Park Service
"I never saved anything for the swim back." - Vincent Freeman, Gattaca
Re: Pre-tournament Routines
Never go to the bathroom during a tournament, keeps you nice and jumpy on the buzzer.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.
Thomas Gaddy
Montgomery Blair High School '13
Montgomery Blair High School '13
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
This is true. However, tossups on rivers can get a little painful late in the day...tgaddy wrote:Never go to the bathroom during a tournament, keeps you nice and jumpy on the buzzer.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.
Ben Cushing
Phoenixville '14
Penn '18
Phoenixville '14
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Re: Pre-tournament Routines
ACF Nationals 2014: Sudden Bladder NeedRealdeo 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.
Rob Carson
University of Minnesota '11, MCTC '??, BHSU forever
Member, ACF
Member emeritus, PACE
Writer and Editor, NAQT
University of Minnesota '11, MCTC '??, BHSU forever
Member, ACF
Member emeritus, PACE
Writer and Editor, NAQT