Tournament readiness
Week-of logistics, morning protocols, and mental cues so the only surprise is a good ballot.
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Week before
Night before
Morning of
Between rounds
After tournament
Your goals
Process goals beat outcome goals. Example: “Clean 2AR weighing every round.”
Mental cues
Before you stand
Plant feet. Soften jaw. One full exhale. Your job is clarity, not perfection.
If you blank
Pause. Breathe. Restart the last clean sentence. Judges respect recovery more than panic speed.
After a rough round
Write one sentence: what you controlled well. Then one fix. Close the notebook. Next round is a new ballot.
When the room is cold
Increase warmth 10%: eye contact, slightly slower open, one genuine smile if appropriate. Don't match the freeze.
Official resources