In the ever growing Super Smash Bros. tournament community there's a large amount of spectators on live streams. As stream production quality goes up and numbers continue to rise it becomes harder to get said spectators to participate at in-person tournaments. In other words, they are less willing to go when they feel they have a "front-row seat" so to speak.
However, from the perspective of someone who was a player for a time and is now more of a spectator I will tell you upfront: spectating doesn't come close to the magic of being in-person at these tournaments. Tournaments aren't just a place for you to enter, go 0-2, and then leave. No, tournaments are more than that.
Tournaments are a social gathering where people of all races, genders, and ages can get together and play Smash -- like a family. That essence of family hasn't been lost with the growth spurt the community has had in the last two years. You can, if you go to a tournament, still walk up to someone like Mang0 and say "Hello, I'm so and so, want to play some friendlies?" and he will more than likely say yes if he's not busy or anything. That's how tight-knit the community is, you won't get turned down just because you're new.
Additionally, tournaments are a place for you to have fun. Fun should be your number one priority when you go to a tournament. Don't be so concerned with how you do, that's often what discourages you from going to another one. In other words, don't focus on results and you will both learn something and have fun in the process.
For me, I didn't start going to tournaments until I was around 17. I had been a casual observer of the competitive community for quite awhile until Brawl dropped. Then, when Brawl dropped, I was one of those new players that wanted to get in through Brawl. I lucked out in how I became a player because I was able to connect with someone who lived in my area via Smashboards and carpool with him to a tournament.
My first tournament is very fuzzy but I wasn't focused on my results when I went. I went to play the best I could, meet some new people, and have a good time. I don't remember what my singles placing was (shows how much I cared about it) but my teams placing was 2nd place. I had teamed with the person I carpooled with and we were up against Overswarm and someone else. I haven't forgotten what that set was like -- the thrill of playing against someone who was pretty notable all the while making a surprising splash in the local scene was something else. I walked away feeling really good and wanted to go again -- thankfully, the tournament was a series and would happen again a few months later.
While locals are definitely easier to go to and should be your first tournament, a major isn't bad to attend if you live right near it. I only went to one major before I had to focus on college and that was FC-Legacy in 2012. Majors are where the magic and feeling of family really takes place, to be honest. The atmosphere is completely different from a local because you have the chance of meeting people you see all the time on streams. And it feels like you know them even though you haven't spoken to them once.
When I attended FC-Legacy I met and spoke to the following people (at some point): Mang0, Axe, Samox, Strong Bad, VaNz, Chillindude, and a few others. Each of them had zero issues with speaking to me, wanting to play friendlies, or give me advice on how I played. It really felt like we had been friends for years. If there's one thing I truly regret about my time at FC-Legacy, it was the fact that I could have also spoken to people like Kage, Hungrybox, Juggleguy, GimR, and Darkrain. At the time I was still a little nervous even though I had no issues with someone like Mang0. I didn't take advantage of the opportunity and it's something I'll likely always regret until I get a chance to go to another major and finally meet them. Basically, don't waste your opportunity if you go to a major with people you want to meet -- talk to them! It's part of the magic of being a player at a tournament.
All in all, FC-Legacy is a tournament I haven't forgotten either because it was really well ran. I entered the Project M event there (it was one of the first big tournaments for it) and decided not to enter Melee because I had issues playing it at the time. Seeing players like Axe, Darkrain, Mang0, and even Chillin play in person is way different from just watching them on a computer screen. It feels more personal and you feel way more strongly attached to what's happening both in-game and in front of you. Since I got knocked out early I got to watch a very large portion of matches and play a lot of friendlies. This let me connect with other Smashers when I otherwise wouldn't have if I hadn't gone to FC-Legacy and I'll never forget it.
To wrap this up, what I'm suggesting spectators should do is to become a player. If you have the ability to do it, do it. If you are younger and don't have a means of transportation, talk to someone on Smashboards or in your local Facebook group. If your parents are a blockade, well... lie a little if you must. Say you know the person driving you from school, say the tournament is hosted by a bunch of friends. Or, you can go the extra mile and try to have the Tournament Organizer (TO) talk to your parents -- TOs are no stranger to having to do that at some point. Do whatever it takes to go out to a tournament at least once. You won't regret it and it will be something you'll remember forever. Provided, you properly take advantage of your time there. If all you do is walk around, watch, and say nothing to anyone you won't remember it fondly and it will have been a wasted opportunity. Get out there! It doesn't matter how good you are, everyone is willing and able to help you improve and it's all a very positive atmosphere. Become a player... just once.
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