How to prepare for a competitive gaming tournament

Competing in a gaming tournament can be grueling, especially if you’re a beginner. Of course, you need to make sure you have the right equipment and high-speed internet made for gaming. But there’s a lot more that goes into a gaming tournament. Whether you’ll be playing solo or joining a team, it’s important to prepare your mind and body for competitive tournaments.

Fuel yourself with healthy food

During a long gaming session, you’ll want to make sure you’re keeping your energy up. That means eating healthy foods that will keep you energized and full. Excitement and nerves before your tournament are completely normal—but don’t let anticipation get in the way of healthy meals.

Although it’s tempting to fill up on snacks and energy drinks, be mindful of your sugar intake. Sugary snacks will give you a burst of energy, followed by a sugar crash. Instead, focus on carbs and protein, which will give you sustained energy and keep you full longer.

Stay hydrated

It’s too easy to get dehydrated when you’re spending hours in front of a computer. If this is something you struggle with, there are a few ways you can combat dehydration. Instead of getting up to refill a glass of water, try filling up a few gallons of water and storing it near your gaming setup. You could also wear a hydration pack for easy access.

Make sure you’re well-rested

You want to be well-rested for a long gaming tournament, which means getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night leading up to the event. While can be tempting to stay up late, you’ll perform better if you’re well-rested. If you don’t sleep well the night before, balance it out by taking naps. Power naps can help improve your alertness and focus.

Warm up for the competition

Just like athletes warm up and stretch before a competition, so should gamers. Esports Healthcare recommends several exercises to combat different gaming injuries, such as gamer’s thumb and mouse elbow. They also claim that cooldowns are important following any physical activity, even gaming. “A great cooldown will initiate your body’s healing process and help to prevent injury in your future.” Warm up your body and mind prior to competitions so you’re always playing at peak capacity.

Know the rules

This might seem like a no-brainer, but each competition can have different rules for competitors. Once you register, find out the rules and familiarize yourself with them. Here are a few surprising esports rules you might not know about:

• No hats allowed
• Cell phones must be handed over
• No fraternizing with the enemy
• No in-game chat
• No taunting

Breaking these rules can result in forfeited matches or being banned from the entire tournament. Make sure you know the rules and are being a good teammate.

Don’t make any changes to your routine

If this is one of your first tournaments, you may find yourself feeling extra stressed. Whatever you do, don’t panic and switch up your routine at the last minute. Instead of staying up late the night before to get extra practice, trust yourself. Keep doing what you’ve been doing. Minor changes and tweaks are fine, but any significant change can throw off your rhythm and leave you feeling less than optimal on tournament day.

Set realistic expectations

While aiming high is a good thing, being realistic with your goals will help you prepare for your first gaming tournament. Setting realistic expectations will help relieve the pressure of the competition so you can enjoy the journey. As a beginner, your goal should be to try your best. If you win the tournament, that’s amazing! If you don’t, remember this is your first time. There will always be room for improvement and opportunities to win next time.

Take breaks to recharge

Although powering through a gaming tournament is a tempting thought, it’s a bad idea. Sitting in the same position for hours can lead to stiffness and fatigue. You might also experience hand cramps, eye strain, and other types of muscle pain. Remember those warmup exercises we mentioned earlier? Breaks are a great chance to practice those stretches and keep your body in peak shape. If you forget to pause for rest, try setting a timer to hold you (and your fellow gamers) accountable.

The right internet for a gaming tournament

Whether you’re new to gaming tournaments or a seasoned pro, you’re going to need a reliable internet connection if you want to play the latest, hottest games. And the harder you game, the more likely you are to need a high-speed broadband internet connection you can count on—if you don’t want to experience issues like lag, mid-game crashing, and long loading screens, that is. For more on the right internet for gaming, visit the Quantum Fiber blog.