Reposting this for the scrubby scrubs of Scrubtario with a few minor edits and things bolded for emphasis
Basically, if you want to be good, treat friendlies as not only a test of your current skillset (seriouslies) but also as an opportunity to learn new things. Work on combos, breaking bad habits, keeping good spacing, and building good habits. Don't get excited about taking random pro to 2 stock because, honestly, Ryan and Camilo are probably not trying very hard at all vs most of you (not saying this to be hurtful... it's just the truth). Understanding this, and using your chances to play them as opportunities to work on solidifying your gameplay will help you way more than getting excited the odd time you "take" a second stock on behalf of an impromptu SD. Get excited about whatever solid play you actually executed... this does not necessarily mean stocks taken.
A note on tech skill: learn your basics first. Be comfortable with all manner of your basics (this includes both complex actions [like SHFFL] and its components [the SH, FF, and L-cancel]). Be good at doing variations of these sorts of things. Movement is just a tool that opens up different ways to position your attacks. If you notice there's a move you cannot do but would help you fill a hole in your game, then practice it (independently at first, possibly, depending on how good or bad your generic tech skill is) and then practice implementing it to see if it can fill the hole.
Learning stuff beyond your character's basic tech skill should be done if you think it will help you with a weakness. This will in turn build a better style that you will feel more comfortable playing.
FWIW most of you are bad out of and on shields at comboing. Hit me harder than you currently are. I wanna feel like I'm getting banged like the salvation army drum when you guys hit me.
edit:
Kyle what time tomorrow?