Translating Tech Skill into Matches

[ItsChon]

I've been playing Melee for a little bit now, and I've gotten pretty good at the basic fundamentals. Dash Dancing, Wavedashing, SHFFLing, etc. And even though some of the more advanced techniques escape me, I've got a pretty good grasp on the game. But I have a problem. Put me in training mode, or against a level one computer. I can do all these things, combo them pretty well, and make them look like I have some semblance of what the hell I am doing. But as soon as you pair me up against a high leveled computer, or a human opponent. It seems like all the work I've put in is useless. I flub my dash dances more often. My wave dashes become less crisp/smooth, and often times I just stop using them altogether and resort to just dashing at my opponent. I even get kinda panicky because I'm competing with someone, so my short hops get all ****ed up. I want to know how to remedy this issue? Is it just keep practicing? I don't think my tech skill is the problem, it's more my inconsistency with it? I don't know, I'm just really looking for some advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[EPsilon933]

You probably just lack experience doing stuff in a real setting. Being in a different room or situation can slow down how quickly you can retrieve memories for doing certain things, which is too slow to do against an opponent that fights back. You'll be able to do things fast enough in serious games as you keep playing them

 

[The Young Izzy Iz]

This is a disconnect a lot of players have in the beginning. Mastering tech skill alone is one thing, actually learning how to use it is another. A big part of how good you are is how you incorporate your tech: that's the next step for you as a player. You have all these wonderful tricks and options, now you just have to figure out how to use them.

It might benefit you to find a friend that you can play less stressful matches with. In these matches don't necessarily worry about winning or losing, just focus on keeping your fundamentals solid throughout the match; maybe even just set the game to infinite time match and let loose. The more you use your tech in actual matches the easier it will become. I honestly wouldn't recommend doing this against computers though, as it can cause you to form some bad habits (they rarely DI and are very predictable). Lastly, don't get discouraged, even pros mess up. If you watch the Salty Suite between Leffen and Chillin you see Chillin start to get flustered around game 3 and begin missing some of his short-hops, shine combos, etc. Very basic things he really shouldn't have been missing. It's all about mastering your nerves.

 

[Dandy_here]

Just play against people and try to incorporate your tech. After a little while, you'll be doing this easily

 

[meebius]

In friendlies, I try not to focus on winning. Instead I try to land whatever tech skill I've practiced as consistently as possible in a stressful environment.

 

[ItsChon]

I appreciate all the comments and advice. I'll definitely keep working at it.

 

[Darklink401]

Having the same issue, and yeah, I noticed it was likely due to just not having enough experience...

Playing against the level 9 CPU in general, is such a more calm experience than a tournament xD