Get Ready - It's Far From Over
By Staff Writer - CEVO|DeShong

It's 8:30. It's time for you and your team to join the server for the biggest match you've ever been apart of.

You know that if you win, you'll be popular, you'll have fans, and you'll feel amazing. You know that if you lose, well, losing isn't possible.

Your team shows no fear, but pride and over-confidence is starting to take effect and you're doubting your opponent's ability. You don't realize it, but your confidence is going to lead to something that you're not ready to understand.

The match begins�

Every shot you take ends up being headshot after headshot. Your team is on fire, and you feel as if nothing can touch you. Your team is up 11-0 and there is no end in sight. Arrogance starts to build on your mind, and you feel as if you're a god. There is no way the other team is going to win this match.

Your relentless game-play starts to fade. You simply miss that vital awp shot, that if you had accurately taken, you would've won the round for your team. No big deal right?

Wrong.

Round after round, your ability fades not only in your personal play, but your team's as well.

"How's this possible?", you ask yourself.

The match ends�

Your team has lost 19-11 in a display of mockery. How could that happen? Remember, you're the team that was once up 11-0, but over-confidence clouded your team's actual ability.

As usual, your team doesn't understand how they lost. They're pointing fingers at each other, but no one is realizing that a basic answer would solve all their questions and assumptions. What was our problem, what was�the problem?

Most of us who play Counter-Strike are decently familiar with the situation described above. Maybe some of you have realized the answer, but most people have not. There are teams who are over-confident in their ability, and there are teams who doubt their ability. Though both of these are obvious, the answer is rather hidden. People need to understand that �letting your guard down' is probably the most significant reason for match upsets.

"What are you saying? I've never heard of anything close to what you're saying."

Of course you have. We've all seen the matches with a 13-2 first half, then a 0-15 the next half. Some blame the map, some blame the lack of practice within teams, but many do not realize that the same type of mindset and attitude you carry before a match, can weigh remarkably heavy in the final outcome.

Obviously, players need to have confidence; confidence not only in themselves, but in their teams as well. Never go into a match saying, "We're going to rip these guys," or even "they're horrible, we have this easily." You never know what your opponent may have gained within their recent practices or what they're capable of. Doubt leads to over-confidence; over-confidence leads to surprises. And we, Counter-Strike players, are clearly not fans of surprises during our matches or scrims!

But next time your team is scheduled against, perhaps a team you've scrimmaged before, remember that though you crushed them once, does not mean that you'll crush them again. If you realize the level of your team's attitude, and explain the expectations of your upcoming match to them, you may be able to remove upsets from your team's record.


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