Reframing Mindset
There is going to be lots of reading, but worth it if you struggle with keeping your mind clear and constructive when playing RL
Introduction
There are many reasons why someone might become toxic or tilted in Rocket League, but it's important to remember that this behavior is never productive and can harm the overall experience for everyone involved, and will make it difficult for you to rank up and appreciate your skill development.
You probably have come across many of the following things that can make you toxic or tilted:
- Losing games: 1 match or multiple in a row
- Teammate mistakes: Open nets, whiffs, double/triple commits, not meeting your expectations.
- Opponent behavior: Smurfing, constant demoing
- Communication: Spamming chat, being toxic in chat
- Ranking system: Slow progression up the ranks, placement matches, unfair MMR differences.
- External factors: Lag, ping, dropouts, controller drift, and many things outside the game (i.e. stress)
The goal of reframing is to shift your perspective and interpretation of the situation more positively and constructively. By reframing, you can change the way you perceive events and reduce the likelihood of becoming tilted or blaming your teammates.
Reframing involves looking at the situation from a different angle and considering alternative explanations for what happened. For example, instead of blaming a teammate for missing a save, you might reframe the situation as an opportunity for learning and improvement. You might consider what you could have done differently to support your teammate, or how you could communicate more effectively in the future.
By reframing the situation in this way, you can shift your focus away from blaming and negativity, and instead focus on constructive solutions and personal growth. You will stay more composed and resilient in the face of challenges, and ultimately improve your performance & enjoyment of the game.
Tips & Tricks for Reframing
By adopting these tips and tricks, you can reframe toxic or tilting behavior and improve your overall gameplay experience, not just for yourself but for others as well.
1) Practice Self-Awareness
A big step to avoid tilting and blaming teammates is to recognize when it's happening. Try to identify the signs that you're getting frustrated or angry and take a step back to calm down before continuing to play. This will help you to avoid taking out your frustration on your teammates. Contributing to a toxic atmosphere improves no one and does nothing to address the situation you are in.
2) Reframe Negative Thoughts
Instead of focusing on your teammate's mistakes, try to reframe negative thoughts into positive ones. Instead of saying "My teammate is terrible at defense", try to think "My teammate may be having a tough game, how can I help them out?". This change in mindset can help you to work better with your teammates and ultimately improve your gameplay.
3) Communicate Constructively
Instead of blaming your teammates for mistakes, try to communicate constructively. Use positive reinforcement to encourage your teammates when they make a good play. This will help to build trust and enable better team cohesion. This does not mean going out of your way to teach them in-game, it's more about shifting your focus from detrimental feedback which does not help. A simple way to communicate constructively would be say "Nice One!" or "Great Pass!" or even to type out a message like "That was a good play, nice pass!". This will really help keep the energy up on the team. Everyone loves compliments!
4) Remember to Have Fun
Games are meant to be enjoyed. Try to focus on having fun and enjoying the gameplay, rather than winning or losing. When you have a positive attitude, you'll be more likely to play well and work better with your teammates. Humor can be a great way to defuse tension and lighten the mood. Make a joke or laugh at your own silly mistakes to help put things in perspective.
5) Adopt a Growth Mindset
This type of mindset can improve and develop your skills over time. If you're more focused on improving your skill, rather than the results of individual games, mistakes, or losses, the impact that does come from them is less important to you. This is because instead of getting frustrated by losses or mistakes, you're more likely to be using them as opportunities to learn and improve. So it is important to take some time to analyze what went wrong and what you could have done better, and to no longer dwell on them, this will help you to grow as a player and ultimately become a better teammate.
6) Set Realistic Expectations
Recognize that not every game will result in a win and that mistakes will happen. Recognize it takes time to learn mechanics and there is no fixed time frame for when you need to achieve a relative skill level of any mechanic. It's only ever a guideline and you're allowed to take as long as you need. So remember to set realistic expectations, and it really will help to reduce frustration and avoid tilting.
7) Take Breaks When Needed
If you find yourself getting tilted or frustrated, take a break from the game or that specific game mode. This can help to clear your mind and come back to the game or game mode with a fresh perspective. Think about it, a losing streak can be stopped earlier if you stop playing when you do not feel at your best. Another good reason to take a break is so you can drink water, stretch or exercise. These breaks will help you stay focused + alert and can reduce stress. Both stretching and exercise can be beneficial for your physical and mental health.
8) Practice Gratitude
Take a moment to appreciate your teammates for their efforts (such as a successful save or a well-executed pass, top-notch goal, etc.), even if the game did not go as planned. This can help to build a positive atmosphere and promote better team cohesion. It might seem strange or different to do this, but you are likely to play with the same people as teammates again. If you keep it positive then your next match with them is not going to start with unnecessary tension, you're more likely going to start matches with good vibes.
9) Seek out Positive Teammates
Playing with positive and supportive teammates can have a significant impact on your mindset and gameplay. Consider seeking out like-minded players to team up with. Honestly, who doesn’t like the hype vibe teammate?
10) Focus on Your Gameplay
Instead of focusing solely on your teammates' mistakes, focus on your gameplay and what you can do to improve. This can help you become a better player and ultimately benefit the team as a whole. Instead of blaming your teammates for a loss, take responsibility for your own mistakes and focus on what you can do to improve. If your goal is to rank up, you need to skill up yourself as well. It is your gameplay that you have control over. the more skilled you are, the less a teammate's skill level should matter to you.
Tips & Tricks for Blocking
The following are more immediate changes that block potential triggers from eventuating. Implementing these changes does not require you to develop a reframing mindset to deal with tilting or toxicity they just block it out. the following tips can be used on their own or in conjunction with a reframing mind set. It is really up to you.
1) Disable Chat & Voice Chat
This is a helpful strategy for players who find that chat or voice chat often contributes to their tilt or toxic behavior. Disabling chat and voice chat can help reduce distractions and allow you to focus on your gameplay without being influenced by negative comments or feedback from others. It can also reduce the likelihood of engaging in negative communication or responding to toxicity from other players. See no evil, hear no evil, feel no evil.
2) Limiting Your Sessions
By setting a limit on how much time you spend playing the game each day or week, you can help prevent burnout and frustration from extended play sessions. Setting a hard cap can help you focus on the quality of your gameplay rather than the quantity. By limiting your playtime, you can ensure that you are fully engaged and focused during each session, rather than becoming fatigued or distracted. Use a timer or schedule to keep track of your playtime each day or week. Start by setting a realistic limit based on your individual needs.
3) Enable Anonymizer Settings in Bakkesmod
By enabling the anonymizer settings you can control the usernames, car designs, and in game scoreboard settings of your teammates and opponents. You can also mask them with bot names, this can help you avoid remembering players and enter each match as if it's completely new.
If you enable hide all rank information hide scoreboard information or unbind the scoreboard button bind, you can prevent yourself from knowing what ranks you are playing against and how much someone is contributing or not contributing. This allows players to not be judged or treated differently based on their perceived skill level, rank level, or contribution based on points.
4) Secondary Account
Using a secondary account can be an effective strategy for reducing tilt and toxicity because it can reduce pressure to perform and there is less at stake than when you are playing on your main account. This can help you play more relaxed and with less anxiety, reducing the likelihood of tilt.
You can also experiment with new techniques and strategies without the fear of losing rank, this can help you improve your gameplay without the pressure of playing at your highest level and ultimately when you play with less stress, your overall mood and mental state are better and you will find it easier to avoid becoming tilted and toxic, and this will improve your overall gameplay experience.
Over time you might find that your secondary account is at the same rank as your main, it's at this point that you should realize, that when you play without all the pressure and stress of rank, you often play at your peak, and a secondary account isn’t needed.
5) Training & Custom Maps
Training or using custom maps can be an effective strategy for reducing tilt, by practicing specific skills and techniques in a controlled and focused environment, you can build your confidence and competence, which can help reduce frustration and tilt during actual gameplay.
Custom maps are designed to help you improve specific mechanics such as dribbling, aerial control, or wall play. By practicing these skills in a controlled environment, you can build your confidence and reduce frustration and they are often more enjoyable than the rank grind itself, further there are many subgroups of custom maps that change the focus of the game, such as speed running and puzzle maps.
To incorporate training or custom maps into your gameplay routine, consider setting aside dedicated time for practice each day or week. Start by focusing on one or two specific skills or mechanics that you want to improve, and gradually increase the difficulty level as you progress. Remember to be patient and persistent with your practice, and celebrate your successes along the way. By incorporating training or custom maps into your gameplay routine, you can build your confidence, reduce frustration, and improve your overall gameplay experience.
Conclusion
By practicing these tips, I hope you can learn to reframe your mindset and focus on enjoying the game and enabling better team cohesion, even during losses. I hope it reduces tilt and toxicity and promotes a positive attitude and good sportsmanship. I know it’s sometimes hard to remember, but the game is meant to be fun and enjoyable, and it can be with the right mindset. Remember try not to get too caught up in winning or losing. Instead, focus on improving your skills, supporting your teammates, and having a good time.