Playing Without a Goal

[ThatIsWho]

Hey guys, horrible Marth main here again, today I have a question regarding mindset while playing in conjunction with actually tech skill. While analyzing my mistakes I have noticed a split between mistakes made because I don't possess the tech skill necessary and mistakes made because I don't have a plan what I will do. I often feel that I am playing without a goal in the match. For example, sometimes I'll try to chaingrab spaces even though I know that I personally cannot if they slight DI backwards. On the other hand sometimes I'll try to approach with a SH fair but I will accidentally FH or misspace. This has been just a little insight into my philosophy of Melee. As a relatively new(~ 1 year) Marth main I could use some advice. If anyone has some training advice or insight into the fundamentals and mental game that would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[EPsilon933]

Fighting games are pretty heavily about making the right choices. When you do an action, you're stuck in it until it ends, which can be the animation fully ending or getting hit. Actions can have significantly various functions/results

Chain grabbing can either be a very useful or useless strategy, depending on the choice of your opponent's DI. If they never DI slightly behind, you could get an optimal combo on them. But if they DI slightly behind, you won't get much. When you have a grab with no platform above you, consider if your opponent knows about DIing slightly behind to escape, then choose what throw/combo you want to go for. You have to think about things conscientiously to make better choices

As for the SH/FH tech error, try flicking your thumbnail against the bottom edge of the X button. It might help improve your consistency at it. As for missed techniques in general, going to simple or difficult actions is a choice too. If you're unable to reliably do something, you could try something easier or practice it more to improve your consistency

Take conscious notes of your opponent's actions and do what can counter their next most likely actions

 

[-ACE-]

If you had 1 goal it should be to memorize situations and their solutions. If you had 2, tech skill. But above all, have fun.

 

[Pauer]

I think the most fundamental and simple idea is to obtain an advantageous position and to avoid disadvantageous positions.
Either think of a situation that is in your favor or watch matches of yours to see in which situations you usually get a hit in and revolve your game around getting them. At the same time, avoid situations like getting lasered. By isolating key positions (they can be simple, like a certain distance that you want to keep), you get a set of goals to structure your play.

 

[-ACE-]

I think the most fundamental and simple idea is to obtain an advantageous position and to avoid disadvantageous positions.
Either think of a situation that is in your favor or watch matches of yours to see in which situations you usually get a hit in and revolve your game around getting them. At the same time, avoid situations like getting lasered. By isolating key positions (they can be simple, like a certain distance that you want to keep), you get a set of goals to structure your play.

To the OP, ^^ this is known as proper zoning.