Hello! I’m Bernard or ICYoyo. This is my weekly blog focused on improving at Smash Ultimate. Every week I cover a new aspect of the game and explore it in an effort to improve in that area and help others improve at it too. You can view the archive here. You can follow me on Twitter to get updated on new posts and other content @BernardICYoyo.
Weekly Wrap Up
This last week was good! While I only attended one tournament, I got third! I didn’t lose a single game until winner’s finals where I took my first game off of Robber (Colorado’s best Young Link main) in ages. I then lost in a reverse 3-0 in losers finals to Crispy (our local Luigi). Overall, I was playing very well and I’m pleased with where I am at the moment. I still have a lot to improve on, but I feel like all my work is showing more and more. Progress isn’t linear, and I have had a rough time recently, but I do feel like I’m starting to implement concepts more consistently.
What I’ve learned
I want to take a moment to look back on what this series has been so far and how it helped me specifically. I won’t lie, I’m having trouble coming up with more topics. I’m also entering a big change in my life with these two new jobs I’ll be starting soon. I’ll be taking a break from the blog… again. I’ll reassess once I’m used to the new workflow and hopefully come back better than before. My life will revolve more around Smash now, so hopefully, I’ll have even more to talk about!
Since the reboot, this blog has been one of my favorite things I’ve worked on. These topics are applicable to everyone, and I want these to be a resource that remains relevant as long as the game continues.
This blog has helped me become much more introspective and knowledgeable about the game. I’ve learned so much about all the topics covered. Mentality was the inspiration for this series and it’s by far led to the most improvement I’ve experienced. I’ve learned the true power of our minds when it comes to competition and in many aspects of life. I honestly think what I learned about mentality might have helped me acquire these new jobs. Our minds are powerful tools that we can use to manifest our desires, and learning that for Smash has helped in other areas of my life too.
Other topics helped me a ton as well. I think focus is a great piece with tips that again help outside of smash. The tips I mention in that piece are things I still consistently use and I’ve even explored meditating since writing it. Frustration was another topic that helped me understand ways to physically handle anger. While it helps mid-set in Smash, it again works outside of Smash too when dealing with crappy people,
A big lesson I learned while doing this series is how interconnected the rest of our lives are with Smash. I’m assuming it’s the same for sports and other hobbies/activities we participate in. Self-improvement improves the self, and when you’re the one responsible for how you perform in smash, you’ll find how important improving yourself outside of smash is. There is obviously more to it than that, but a lot of roadblocks you might face will be outside of that game and not obviously connected. For example. I wasn’t ambitious enough and I didn’t know how to focus. These are problems in Smash but they aren’t inherently related to smash. I feel like I’m a better person because of my exploration of these ideas and I hope to continue to grow alongside the game I love. I still have a ton to learn and I hope to continue to share my growth process with others.
I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned with me to these two new jobs. I want to build up my local community and help boost our skill level as a scene. I also want to use what I’ve learned to coach in the Cloud9 training grounds program. I’m going to need to get used to my workload, but I’m hoping I still have a lot of time for this series. Thanks to everyone who reads the series. Your support is so appreciated and I hope to see you when it comes back! Thanks for reading!
Bernard Lamar Rice 