How does one "git gud?"

[Edgy]

I started playing melee with my friend about maybe 2 months ago. We're both really bad, with him being about as good as maybe a low level decent player, if that makes any sense. Saying I'm terrible would be an understatement. My moves are really predictable and I barely know any skills. I can sometimes short hop and fast fall, and I can theoretically dash dance, but I usually just use it as a taunt. I live in the north west, but don't wanna drive all the way to Oregon or California for a tournament. The only real tournament I know of is a smash club at the local college, but just a few days ago me and some friends made a small tournament of four people of so. We all sucked, but it was still fun. So, how does one "git gud?" I know I need to go to the smash club and get creamed, but I'm not sure how often I can do that, mainly because I'm too young to drive. Thanks.
UPDATE: I've heard a good amount of suggestions and I want to thank everyone for the advice.

 

[SimplyKenny]

A way to get good is to learn advanced techniques (like multishine for an example), practice with your friend or play on netplay (netplay is a very good way to interact and practice against people, there is also a ranking system for smashladder which uses netplay), watch the pros and see what they do in a situation and just rewatch your matches and see your mistakes. I hope this somewhat helps you though I'm not really good at explaining things.

 

[BlueX]

I often practice by my self and i think i have become mostly good since my last tournament in May but you could practice your tech skill which will help you to play Melee in a competitive level. You can use the 20XX training pack for practicing tech, combos and help you choosing your options for combos. You also need to predict you opponent as well like notice what their strategy is and their pattern. You should also practice your DI which can be useful to help you survive longer and get out of chaingrabs. there are many tutorials on Youtube that will help you improve on Melee.

Like this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vckV2MJgBzo

Also if you can you could be able to find a training partner and like SimplyKenny said you can also use netplay but you have to have a very good PC and internet connection in order to do that since you have to emulate Melee on Dolphin. There are also many guides on Smashboards like some of these...

http://smashboards.com/threads/drastic-improvement.311129/

http://smashboards.com/threads/falco-discussion-thread.256826/page-439#post-14739329

You can also check the character boards to look for advice for your main.

http://smashboards.com/forums/melee-character-discussion.64/

 

[MurphyPrime]

Basically, getting good at melee is about identifying what you suck at and improving that area. If you consistently do this you will inevitably get good. Recording your matches and re-watching can help this. Even if you have a bad practice partner, you can still do this. Just try avoiding simply winning, cause you will develop bad habits. Focus on improving each match. Even if its one thing you improve from one match to the other it will help.

 

[Edgy]

Basically, getting good at melee is about identifying what you suck at and improving that area. If you consistently do this you will inevitably get good. Recording your matches and re-watching can help this. Even if you have a bad practice partner, you can still do this. Just try avoiding simply winning, cause you will develop bad habits. Focus on improving each match. Even if its one thing you improve from one match to the other it will help.

Thank you. I'll start trying to avoid my bad habits from playing other games in the series.

I often practice by my self and i think i have become mostly good since my last tournament in May but you could practice your tech skill which will help you to play Melee in a competitive level. You can use the 20XX training pack for practicing tech, combos and help you choosing your options for combos. You also need to predict you opponent as well like notice what their strategy is and their pattern. You should also practice your DI which can be useful to help you survive longer and get out of chaingrabs. there are many tutorials on Youtube that will help you improve on Melee.

Like this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vckV2MJgBzo

Also if you can you could be able to find a training partner and like SimplyKenny said you can also use netplay but you have to have a very good PC and internet connection in order to do that since you have to emulate Melee on Dolphin. There are also many guides on Smashboards like some of these...

http://smashboards.com/threads/drastic-improvement.311129/

http://smashboards.com/threads/falco-discussion-thread.256826/page-439#post-14739329

You can also check the character boards to look for advice for your main.

http://smashboards.com/forums/melee-character-discussion.64/

Thanks! I'll check out the YouTube video. Me and my training partner play every 2 weeks or so, and I'll try to improve then. Sadly, I don't have a PC or melee emulator, but I'll take the YouTube video and smash bourd guides. Thank you for your help!

A way to get good is to learn advanced techniques (like multishine for an example), practice with your friend or play on netplay (netplay is a very good way to interact and practice against people, there is also a ranking system for smashladder which uses netplay), watch the pros and see what they do in a situation and just rewatch your matches and see your mistakes. I hope this somewhat helps you though I'm not really good at explaining things.

Thanks, I'll practice my techs like L canceling and ledge hogging. I don't have an emulator, but I'll look for my mistakes in friendly matches with my friends!

 

[YimS]

On top of learning technical skill I think that one of the most important things about becoming a good melee player is having a solid grasp on the fundamentals of the game. When I say fundamentals I really mean understanding spacing, neutral game, being on the offensive/defensive. That can really improve your gameplay within just a few days actually. And I think that technical skill would be used more to optimize fundamentals and mind game your opponents, like understanding why you dash dance. Learning how to do tech skill is awesome but it's also important to know why you use tech skill

 

[SAUS]

git gud
git: 'gud' is not a git command. See 'git --help'.

Did you mean this?
add

It's not something you can just do magically. It requires motivation and the ability to learn. You have to enjoy taking it one step at a time. There are a million things you could get better at, but you can't do them all at once and it doesn't happen in some instant.

You need to start with something, and controlling your character / being able to feel out the game is a good place to start - this means technical ability. Not stuff like multishining, but L-cancelling, wavedashing, short hopping, fast falling, that kind of thing. Basic control of your character is important because it is always something that needs to always be done. You need to know what everyone is capable of before you can properly create strategies.

 

[Massive]

...but don't wanna drive all the way to Oregon or California for a tournament.

There is no way you can get good at smash without playing in tournaments. You absolutely have to play people better than you frequently and repetitively in order to improve.

In your situation, if you are unwilling to travel, you are unwilling to succeed. It's a harsh truth, but it is the truth.

 

[ShadowKing]

Play cpus before going to tournaments or ask for tips/play friendlys from/with others

 

[Diosama]

You have to dedicate some time to practice tech skill. An hour a day is a good start. Eventually, techniques will become more instinctive, allowing you to allocate more focus on your opponent and making reads.

 

[Edgy]

You have to dedicate some time to practice tech skill. An hour a day is a good start. Eventually, techniques will become more instinctive, allowing you to allocate more focus on your opponent and making reads.

Alright, that sounds good.

There is no way you can get good at smash without playing in tournaments. You absolutely have to play people better than you frequently and repetitively in order to improve.

In your situation, if you are unwilling to travel, you are unwilling to succeed. It's a harsh truth, but it is the truth.

Well I'm not old enough to drive yet, but once I am I'll probably go to a few.

 

[Elyssa Xey Hexen]

Hi E Edgy . Try to use the edit button if you can rather than double/triple posting.

Though for your situation I would agree it is best to simply try to mimic people at this point. It sounds like you will not have access to a reliable chunk of human players for sometime. At this point it would simply be best I feel to copy what you see. Dash dancing does not really have to be incorporated at this point I feel. Its confusing to understand without people to play against.

Otherwise, your focus would be on most anything technical related with your character. Trying to get punishes on the CPU and maybe your friend.