Learning how to win

[_Bandit_]

I just got back from my first real tournament after lots of practice with plenty of people. I found that I can go pretty much even with some really good players up until the end of the match, at which point I choke and totally forget how to play. This happened in every set of pools and most of my friendlies. I can't figure out how to get over this, as it's not something I can really practice. And advice?

 

[Substitute]

This is always a good read.

http://smashboards.com/threads/10-000-words-of-power.295524/

 

[EPsilon933]

I just got back from my first real tournament after lots of practice with plenty of people. I found that I can go pretty much even with some really good players up until the end of the match, at which point I choke and totally forget how to play. This happened in every set of pools and most of my friendlies. I can't figure out how to get over this, as it's not something I can really practice. And advice?

Experience. There is nothing else you can do that'll be as good as getting it

Also, fighting games are about making the right decisions. Certain actions win against certain actions and lose to other certain actions
attack > grab
grab > shield
shield > attack
Learn how to predict what your opponent wants. Do things that would counter those likely actions. You can only learn prediction from experience