Why am I so inconsistent?

[Pierce7d]

Link to original post: [drupal=2021]Why am I so inconsistent?[/drupal]



I've looked at my tournament performance, and it's quite obvious that I do not perform up to my actual skill level. Nothing about Marth is holding me back from winning. I'm a master at fighting Metaknight, and I have no business losing to them. The same goes for D3, and recently, even Snake.

I understand the smash universe extremely well. My knowledge of both physics and mechanics is rarely rivaled.

In addition, I'm more than just smart. I'm extraordinarily good at this game. My spacing is ridiculously amazing, and I've been accused of being psychic for reading my opponent's so well. Even outside of Marth, I understand how almost every character works, and I can almost always read the best options any single player has.

So why am I so inconsistant? If I always played at my peak, I would undoubtedly be third best in my region (underneath m2k and Atomsk probably). I should win a lot more money than I do in this game. I would've placed at LEAST top 33 at Genesis, instead of losing to a player who was no doubt talented, but nowhere near my true skill level.

Sometimes, I swear to myself that I could take sets off m2k if we were just sitting in my living room, and I had my normal Feng shui. When I'm playing perfectly, I sometimes scare myself, and think I'm peaking, and getting too close to a point where I can't improve.

It doesn't matter though. I NEVER bring this to tourney. Even when three stocking the R2 noobs, because I get a bye R1, I still feel as though I'm under-performing. In this game, as Marth, against characters not in the top tier, or without an amazing projectile, you really should not get hit very often. And fair enough, the occasional jab or mindgame grab gets even a perfect player, but one should reasonably avoid losing stocks.

In my home, during crew meets, or playing against my brother's amazing low-tiers, I can do this. Sometimes, when I'm comfortable enough outside of home, I can do this. NEVER in tourney, regardless of opponent.

I wish I could play at 100% effectiveness when it really matters. I wish I knew what holds me back. Recently I've been drained over it. In New Jersey, you need to attend at least 3 tournaments in one season to be ranked on the Power Rankings. At least 2 of those tourneys must be in state. I'm not even sure if I've fulfilled the requirements for that this season. I've been dreading tournaments, and not making as much of an effort to get to them (I can't drive, and I usually have to find a ride with someone to get there.) I stopped caring about Power Rankings, and started focusing more on doubles, since I seem to perform far more consistently in that format.

When talking about this, I've proposed the idea that perhaps it's because I play to learn and not to win. This is sometimes true, but it still doesn't explain why I lost a Marth ditto in tourney at Genesis, and was able to then two stock my opponent repeatedly afterwards.

It's just really weighing down on me. I put in hard work, I studied, I practice, and I'm well known, but I'm not legendary. I'm not yet at the point where I want to be, where my name as a Marth player is as reknowned as Neo, or Mike_Haze. I've johned for myself long enough, telling myself that it's okay, because good players who have seen me or played me know what I'm capable of, but that's a half-truth. It's like getting a new super-computer that only cuts on at random times, I'm nearly worthless. I feel like garbage, and it's pathetic really. For all the time and practice I put into this game, I should be able to perform at peak whenever I play, but I don't.

I've been aiming at new endeavors lately: becoming world renown as the greatest coach of all time. I can read people very well, even in games I don't play. People were surprised as I called out fsmash, just before Mango dealt another finishing blow to Armada's stocks in that legendary battle, when Mango threw out a seemingly random fsmash. Coaching is something I love to do, because I enjoy helping players improve, and grow to be stronger. I also want to do commentary. Growing up, I always appreciated sportscasters, even though I've never watched sports, and my in depth knowledge of the game and the players make me an ideal commentator. I knew from the moment I got into competative smash and started watching old MLG videos on YouTube that one day, I wanted to do commentary. I enjoy talking, I think I'm pretty funny, and I just feel like I'm well suited for the job.

I've been trying to persuade myself that doubles, coaching, and commentating are all more important to me, but that's really a lie. I want to do well in singles tournament.

I've been training up my Mario lately. I'm hoping that perhaps, dedicating my time to a more challenging character will bring out the part of me I need to succeed. At this point, my Marth plays on auto-pilot, automatically recognizing the correct choices, and just eliminating my opponent's for me. Sometimes I even feel like my Marth is an individual entity, but fused within me, guiding me to success. Sometimes, he makes better decisions than I do, randomly deciding to charge and land tipper fsmashes against my will, using shieldbreaker at amazing times even I would've overlooked and just being extremely clutch when I don't have it in me. This bond doesn't exist in tournament though. I feel alone, and it's much harder. I'm hoping that by mastering Mario as well, I can hopefully gain the skill I need to operate successfully, independent of the Marth spirit that guides our blade, even when I'm playing as Marth. I'm entering the next two singles tournaments I go to as Mario exclusively. I've learned most of the match-ups, I except success.

I just need to find that niche, which will allow me to do what I always do, and ****.

 

[Teran]

Maybe you focus too hard in tournaments, rather than keeping that alert yet relaxed approach.

People tend to make more rash and instinctive decisions in tournaments. =/

 

[dualseeker]

Wow.. I already admire you for that "bond" you feel with Marth. I feel the exact same way with Pit. But don't worry, I sometimes think that I should've done better in a match, and I don't. But the more I play with Marth and the more I get into the beat of the music of my combo strikes, I feel like I can overcome anything. I think what will help you is finding something that inspires you (music, a picture, a certain phraze) and take into your battles. If you get really inspired you WILL play at your best. My inspiration is the music from TWEWY. I hope my advice helped! (I main Marth AND Pit, and I hope I can hear some of your thoughts on how to play Marth. Hope to hear more from you!)

 

[stingers]

maybe it's because you're so **** cocky?

 

[PhoenixoKaZe]

playing moar calmly helps, some ppl plays differently in tourney or friendlies, rly depends on the situation o-o

 

[Jim Morrison]

I don't know how I feel about the 2 people above me the dude above having such similiar seeming avatars.

Pierce, I've enjoyed reading your blogs and posts, always. They are really intelligent and well written, but when it comes to smash, I barely see/hear your name. I see your name flop by at a regular listing but not that great placing. That is what you've just described here. You choke at tourneys because it's for real this time and not just in the house where you know it doesn't matter if you win or lose. At a tourney losing is not an option.
There really isn't a lot you can do against this, except get familiar with people and the tourney scene (I'm HIV positive that you've done this) and let go of it. If people standing around you, yelling at the screen and you are distracting them, ask them to not do it. Though there might be the one gay troll that would do it even more then.

TBH, I don't know how to help, I never went to a tourney.

 

[thanortinzak]

Seems like you really are an amazing player after all.

However, I strongly advise against switching to Mario. Marth is on the top of the A tier, Mario is a pathetic E tier. Why the hell would you want to switch from an amazing character to a garbage character? It makes no sense.

Now, my advice would be to stick with Marth, and when going to a tourney, calm yourself down.
Like, be alert, but calm and the same time. And stick Marth, as it seems you put a lot of time into him.
He's certainly tournament viable.

If you REALLY want to switch, at least don't switch to a low tier. Switch to a character that's actually tournament viable. If I were you and REALLY wanted to switch, I'd switch to MK. He's number 1 for a reason.

Just my opinion.

 

[¯\_S.(ツ).L.I.D._/¯]

I know how you feel Pierce, even though I'm not close to the same caliber player as you are.

I ALWAYS play worse in tourney, no matter what.

An few tourneys ago, I was playing friendlies with the 3rd best player in my state, a Falco/Luigi main. He may have been sandbagging, but still, I managed to take him down to mid percent, least stock every match we played.

After our matches, he asked me "SOLID, did you make it out of pools?"
And I replied "No, unfortunately not."
He asked me a simple question "How?"

I really had no answer to that... I didn't know why I hadn't, but if I'd been playing as well as I had in those matches, there's no doubt in my mind that I would've made it out of pools, and then do fairly well in bracket, barring any strange bracket shenanigans like me playing Anther and someone else, lol.

Pierce, I've found that music helps me focus, have you tried that?

 

[Melfice z]

What solid said. Music can keep you in a certain mindset, and help with the tempo of a match, depending on the genre. Also, it can help with masking outside distractions. Theres the nervousness factor there too. i've lost many a times due to preliminary nervousness and anxiousness.

 

[EatMan]

tl;dr version: I am better than all of you. But if you beat me in tourney I'm still technically better than you.

I love this part.

My Marth plays on auto-pilot, automatically recognizing the correct choices, and just eliminating my opponent's for me. Sometimes I even feel like my Marth is an individual entity, but fused within me, guiding me to success. Sometimes, he makes better decisions than I do, randomly deciding to charge and land tipper fsmashes against my will, using shieldbreaker at amazing times even I would've overlooked and just being extremely clutch when I don't have it in me.

Good Lord tell me this is a joke topic.

 

[Melfice z]

I dont think he would write that wall of text just to be a big joke D:
pierce gives me the impression of being pretty serious

 

[Ishiey]

Pierce, ignore the people who are saying you're full of yourself and all that ****. I've heard good things about you, both on the boards and off, and every single post you make (or at least that I've seen...) is well written and thought out. I guess those outside of NJ wouldn't know as much, though.

This stuff happens... if you really want, maybe become a TO? Find a nice venue that you're comfortable with, if location is the issue that might help. But then again, that doesn't exactly solve the problem...

I'd try music, or something else like that. Something you can bring with you to tournaments to help make things feel like home. Or show up early and re-decorate the entire venue, lol.

 

[stingers]

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

he IS full of himself.

 

[Melfice z]

One would think he has a right to be full of himself o__O
he can back it up ...just not at a tourney XD

 

[deepseadiva]

About the cockiness: it's a blog.

Your supposed to say your inner feelings and whatnot. Have you guys seriously never lost matches when you felt superior to how you played? He's simply choosing to express it publicly. As long as IRL he loses, shakes hands, and only says GGs - I don't see anything wrong with this. Unless he's saying the same thing in the Marth boards or something.

On topic: mindset is crucial.

CRUCIAL.

I noticeably play much better in tournaments than in friendlies. I also play noticeably better when playing opponents I know are "good", and play incredibly sloppy against opponents I've prejudged as "below me" or as a "random". This is an awful habit of mine, and has killed me tourney before. Fortunately though, I'm aware of these problems and if I focus and realize them beforehand, I can overcome them. This has happened at each tournament I've placed well at, and has cost me placings when I forget or ignore them.

I've learned to NEVER underestimate my opponents. They're tried and true words. Force yourself to play at your best. Never assume your going to "****", as this leads to sloppy mistakes. If the ****-potential is there, the **** will happen.

Always, always THINK. Too often I go into "auto-pilot", as you say, and too often the opponent learns and capitalizes. Learn when to dive in, learn when to back off - always be alert, just never shut-off. Even when you do blank-out, force yourself back into the game. Make time to compose yourself if necessary! Go plank on the ledge for a few seconds - run to the top of that rock transformation. Always be in the game. This is not friendlies; realize what the hell you've entered, how much you've paid. This is not the time for "learning."

Play to win. It really did take me awhile, but I now know the meaning of these words. Before, I was subconsciously unwilling to camp. "Oh, I'll win anyway without camping."

I lose.

"Oh, why am I playing defensive, that's not fun!"

I lose.

Again, this isn't friendlies. Be nice in friendlies. Make "having fun" your main goal in friendlies. These are not friendlies.

Start bringing it to tournament Pierce. If you believe you're as good as you say you are, then start bringing it. Otherwise, frankly, it doesn't really exist.

 

[CT Chia]

I feel the same way...

The weird thing is that I never really felt this in my year or two of Melee. In Melee I always felt like I placed where I should have according to my skill, and in the times I lost I felt it was because I was outplayed.

Brawl is a very different game, and despite as much as you know or how perfect your potential is, it's a game of patience in a way. The pressure of tournaments can also tweak your performance and on the spot patience in a set, making you act on decisions you shouldn't have, or play in a style you normally wouldn't (or that wouldn't be top of the line).

It also hit me a bit more when you said something on the Genesis trip that 100% applies to me as well, that you do better against better players than you do on worse players. If we are able to keep up with the top of the line, then why are sometimes matches against low players close in a way? (At least I think it was you that said this recently lol)

It's just the nature of the game, and the ability to sort of keep-your-cool and mindset perfectly when it matters. This is different in doubles because the entire game is different. Players aren't able to space the ways they are normally able to, and spammable "cheap" tactics (like chain grabs) are completely nullified, so we are able to take out our full potential of skill in a more offensive fashion and succeed, as both of us seem to do compared to singles overall.

 

[NEWCOMER: Shadow Kirby]

Well, it seems you think quite highly of your Marth...and according to others, you've reason to do so.

I've also done significantly worse in Brawls that I feel are more important; though, I've never been to a tourney...I live in the wasteland state known as Virginia...sigh.

My only advice is to think of it as a friendly Brawl. Don't think of your ranking in the tournament, there's not much to lose; after all, you'll still have done great, right?

...On another note, I'd like to Brawl your Marth some time...see just how much of a right you have to think so highly of yourself, heheh.

 

[Turbo Ether]

Hi, Pierce:

dmbrandon says: "Those that can't do, teach".

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[Laijin]

Play for fun ALWAYS.
If you take things too seriously, you will play worst.
It might as well be a proven fact.

 

[typh]

lol

scrubs try in friendlies, good players don't

that's the only thing that's happening, nothing more, not that you play better or worse in tournament

 

[Heartz♥]

Pierce is black; he has every right to rank himself.

 

[Hylian]

Skill is only defined as your performance in tournament. Consistency is a huge factor in your skill. No one cares if you can almost go even with a top player at some point if you always lose to them in tournament and place low.

Your own standards say nothing about where you should place. You should place where you are placing, because that's how good you are. It's no ones fault but your own. You SHOULD lose to the players you are losing to. It never matters how you play outside of tournament. That says nothing about your skill.

You just need to stop worrying about who you should and should not lose to and play the game. There is nothing missing, you just have to be determined and practice with good players and always try your best in tournament. Improvement will come with experience and time. You can't force it, so don't try. Just play the game.

 

[dualseeker]

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

he IS full of himself.

Are you a smash director who actually likes TWEWY? I thought I was alone for a sec....

 

[The Sauce Boss]

Skill is only defined as your performance in tournament. Consistency is a huge factor in your skill. No one cares if you can almost go even with a top player at some point if you always lose to them in tournament and place low.

Your own standards say nothing about where you should place. You should place where you are placing, because that's how good you are. It's no ones fault but your own. You SHOULD lose to the players you are losing to. It never matters how you play outside of tournament. That says nothing about your skill.

You just need to stop worrying about who you should and should not lose to and play the game. There is nothing missing, you just have to be determined and practice with good players and always try your best in tournament. Improvement will come with experience and time. You can't force it, so don't try. Just play the game.

Wow excellent advice. Two thumbs up

 

[Pierce7d]

Maybe you focus too hard in tournaments, rather than keeping that alert yet relaxed approach.

People tend to make more rash and instinctive decisions in tournaments. =/

Could be. At this point, I'm not even sure. I swear I don't feel pressured. I sit down and feel confident . . . until about 1 minute into the match.

Wow.. I already admire you for that "bond" you feel with Marth. I feel the exact same way with Pit. But don't worry, I sometimes think that I should've done better in a match, and I don't. But the more I play with Marth and the more I get into the beat of the music of my combo strikes, I feel like I can overcome anything. I think what will help you is finding something that inspires you (music, a picture, a certain phraze) and take into your battles. If you get really inspired you WILL play at your best. My inspiration is the music from TWEWY. I hope my advice helped! (I main Marth AND Pit, and I hope I can hear some of your thoughts on how to play Marth. Hope to hear more from you!)

I will try music

maybe it's because you're so **** cocky?

I'm confident, but I suspect that most people that know me wouldn't describe me as cocky in this regard, despite my sometime joking demeanor. I know who I'm better than, I know who I'm not better than. I know who I think I'm better than, but not really sure. I know when I'm talking smack just for the fun of it. I don't think I'm cocky though. I was cocky once, and it cost me a set. That wasn't inconsistency though, not the same problem I'm facing now.

playing moar calmly helps, some ppl plays differently in tourney or friendlies, rly depends on the situation o-o

I'm usually pretty calm going into most matches, unless it's really epic.

I don't know how I feel about the 2 people above me the dude above having such similiar seeming avatars.

Pierce, I've enjoyed reading your blogs and posts, always. They are really intelligent and well written, but when it comes to smash, I barely see/hear your name. I see your name flop by at a regular listing but not that great placing. That is what you've just described here. You choke at tourneys because it's for real this time and not just in the house where you know it doesn't matter if you win or lose. At a tourney losing is not an option.
There really isn't a lot you can do against this, except get familiar with people and the tourney scene (I'm HIV positive that you've done this) and let go of it. If people standing around you, yelling at the screen and you are distracting them, ask them to not do it. Though there might be the one gay troll that would do it even more then.

TBH, I don't know how to help, I never went to a tourney.

Thank you very much. The thing is, it's not like I have 0 accomplishments. I know everyone in the region, and I daresay I'm relatively well liked.

Seems like you really are an amazing player after all.

However, I strongly advise against switching to Mario. Marth is on the top of the A tier, Mario is a pathetic E tier. Why the hell would you want to switch from an amazing character to a garbage character? It makes no sense.

Now, my advice would be to stick with Marth, and when going to a tourney, calm yourself down.
Like, be alert, but calm and the same time. And stick Marth, as it seems you put a lot of time into him.
He's certainly tournament viable.

If you REALLY want to switch, at least don't switch to a low tier. Switch to a character that's actually tournament viable. If I were you and REALLY wanted to switch, I'd switch to MK. He's number 1 for a reason.

Just my opinion.

I am going to remain a Marth main, I'm simply playing Mario for the reasons I stated, and because he's extremely fun. Also, I think Mario is upper-mid tier. Marth is taking a small break in tourney, but he still see plenty of practice, and will be the premier character choice at SNES.

I know how you feel Pierce, even though I'm not close to the same caliber player as you are.

I ALWAYS play worse in tourney, no matter what.

An few tourneys ago, I was playing friendlies with the 3rd best player in my state, a Falco/Luigi main. He may have been sandbagging, but still, I managed to take him down to mid percent, least stock every match we played.

After our matches, he asked me "SOLID, did you make it out of pools?"
And I replied "No, unfortunately not."
He asked me a simple question "How?"

I really had no answer to that... I didn't know why I hadn't, but if I'd been playing as well as I had in those matches, there's no doubt in my mind that I would've made it out of pools, and then do fairly well in bracket, barring any strange bracket shenanigans like me playing Anther and someone else, lol.

Pierce, I've found that music helps me focus, have you tried that?

No but several people have suggested that, so I will be trying it.

What solid said. Music can keep you in a certain mindset, and help with the tempo of a match, depending on the genre. Also, it can help with masking outside distractions. Theres the nervousness factor there too. i've lost many a times due to preliminary nervousness and anxiousness.

Perhaps I get nervous, and simply don't like to admit it. It doesn't help that I'm expected to win, this much is true.

tl;dr version: I am better than all of you. But if you beat me in tourney I'm still technically better than you.

I love this part.

My Marth plays on auto-pilot, automatically recognizing the correct choices, and just eliminating my opponent's for me. Sometimes I even feel like my Marth is an individual entity, but fused within me, guiding me to success. Sometimes, he makes better decisions than I do, randomly deciding to charge and land tipper fsmashes against my will, using shieldbreaker at amazing times even I would've overlooked and just being extremely clutch when I don't have it in me.

Good Lord tell me this is a joke topic.

I wouldn't expect everyone to understand. Not all people are blessed with a close bond to their main.

I dont think he would write that wall of text just to be a big joke D:
pierce gives me the impression of being pretty serious

You have prefaced yourself as intelligent and logical.

Pierce, ignore the people who are saying you're full of yourself and all that ****. I've heard good things about you, both on the boards and off, and every single post you make (or at least that I've seen...) is well written and thought out. I guess those outside of NJ wouldn't know as much, though.

This stuff happens... if you really want, maybe become a TO? Find a nice venue that you're comfortable with, if location is the issue that might help. But then again, that doesn't exactly solve the problem...

I'd try music, or something else like that. Something you can bring with you to tournaments to help make things feel like home. Or show up early and re-decorate the entire venue, lol.

Haha, I think I'll try music. It's highly plausible. For example, I hated Lylat Cruise when the game first came out. When I unlocked the track "Corneria" it became one of my favorite stages. I very frequently CP that stage now. It's my next best stage after Battlefield.

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

he IS full of himself.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I mean, though this blog might not always suggest it, I'm comfortable and satisfied with myself on a general basis. I feel I am a naturally talented and intelligent person, and I'm rather good at things I put effort into. I feel moderately popular and well liked, and I have the things and friends I want. I like myself a lot, no doubt. I wouldn't say I'm full of myself though. I'm secure, but I care far too much about other people.

One would think he has a right to be full of himself o__O
he can back it up ...just not at a tourney XD

Haha, well, it's not like I'm losing any R1 or R2s.

About the cockiness: it's a blog.

Your supposed to say your inner feelings and whatnot. Have you guys seriously never lost matches when you felt superior to how you played? He's simply choosing to express it publicly. As long as IRL he loses, shakes hands, and only says GGs - I don't see anything wrong with this. Unless he's saying the same thing in the Marth boards or something.

On topic: mindset is crucial.

CRUCIAL.

I noticeably play much better in tournaments than in friendlies. I also play noticeably better when playing opponents I know are "good", and play incredibly sloppy against opponents I've prejudged as "below me" or as a "random". This is an awful habit of mine, and has killed me tourney before. Fortunately though, I'm aware of these problems and if I focus and realize them beforehand, I can overcome them. This has happened at each tournament I've placed well at, and has cost me placings when I forget or ignore them.

I've learned to NEVER underestimate my opponents. They're tried and true words. Force yourself to play at your best. Never assume your going to "****", as this leads to sloppy mistakes. If the ****-potential is there, the **** will happen.

Always, always THINK. Too often I go into "auto-pilot", as you say, and too often the opponent learns and capitalizes. Learn when to dive in, learn when to back off - always be alert, just never shut-off. Even when you do blank-out, force yourself back into the game. Make time to compose yourself if necessary! Go plank on the ledge for a few seconds - run to the top of that rock transformation. Always be in the game. This is not friendlies; realize what the hell you've entered, how much you've paid. This is not the time for "learning."

Play to win. It really did take me awhile, but I now know the meaning of these words. Before, I was subconsciously unwilling to camp. "Oh, I'll win anyway without camping."

I lose.

"Oh, why am I playing defensive, that's not fun!"

I lose.

Again, this isn't friendlies. Be nice in friendlies. Make "having fun" your main goal in friendlies. These are not friendlies.

Start bringing it to tournament Pierce. If you believe you're as good as you say you are, then start bringing it. Otherwise, frankly, it doesn't really exist.

You sir, are amazing. I reiterate the underlined part 9001 times.

I feel the same way...

The weird thing is that I never really felt this in my year or two of Melee. In Melee I always felt like I placed where I should have according to my skill, and in the times I lost I felt it was because I was outplayed.

Brawl is a very different game, and despite as much as you know or how perfect your potential is, it's a game of patience in a way. The pressure of tournaments can also tweak your performance and on the spot patience in a set, making you act on decisions you shouldn't have, or play in a style you normally wouldn't (or that wouldn't be top of the line).

It also hit me a bit more when you said something on the Genesis trip that 100% applies to me as well, that you do better against better players than you do on worse players. If we are able to keep up with the top of the line, then why are sometimes matches against low players close in a way? (At least I think it was you that said this recently lol)

It's just the nature of the game, and the ability to sort of keep-your-cool and mindset perfectly when it matters. This is different in doubles because the entire game is different. Players aren't able to space the ways they are normally able to, and spammable "cheap" tactics (like chain grabs) are completely nullified, so we are able to take out our full potential of skill in a more offensive fashion and succeed, as both of us seem to do compared to singles overall.

Yeah, I'll take this into consideration, and hopefully it will help me develop as a player.

Well, it seems you think quite highly of your Marth...and according to others, you've reason to do so.

I've also done significantly worse in Brawls that I feel are more important; though, I've never been to a tourney...I live in the wasteland state known as Virginia...sigh.

My only advice is to think of it as a friendly Brawl. Don't think of your ranking in the tournament, there's not much to lose; after all, you'll still have done great, right?

...On another note, I'd like to Brawl your Marth some time...see just how much of a right you have to think so highly of yourself, heheh.

Reasonable thought. I'll try this. And I don't play WiFi, but if I've ever anywhere near you, please feel free to approach me. I hope to impress.

On a side note, my best stuff never gets uploaded either. I have a treasure trove full of **** and sex on my SD cards (I save every replay I can), so if you're interested in watching videos of me, send me your Wii and Brawl codes in a PM and add mine (they are on the side of all of my posts.)

Hi, Pierce:

dmbrandon says: "Those that can't do, teach".

Don't shoot the messenger.

He could be right. Ask DM why he doesn't teach then (<3 Brandon)

Play for fun ALWAYS.
If you take things too seriously, you will play worst.
It might as well be a proven fact.

Interesting mentality. I do always perform best when having fun, no doubt.

lol

scrubs try in friendlies, good players don't

that's the only thing that's happening, nothing more, not that you play better or worse in tournament

I'm learning this to be true. I actually feel guilty because I sandbagged WC really hard in friendlies at Genesis, because I was being secretive, and trying to memorize styles before the tourney and stuff like that. I'm really sorry, and I especially want to take this time to apologize to Hugs, because he's an amazing player, and an amazing guy, and I really should've given him my best while I had a chance. I will attempt to redeem myself saying that I believe you would've won even if I was playing well. R.O.B. is so hard

Pierce is black; he has every right to rank himself.

I'm so sad I didn't get to chill with you at Genesis

Skill is only defined as your performance in tournament. Consistency is a huge factor in your skill. No one cares if you can almost go even with a top player at some point if you always lose to them in tournament and place low.

Your own standards say nothing about where you should place. You should place where you are placing, because that's how good you are. It's no ones fault but your own. You SHOULD lose to the players you are losing to. It never matters how you play outside of tournament. That says nothing about your skill.

You just need to stop worrying about who you should and should not lose to and play the game. There is nothing missing, you just have to be determined and practice with good players and always try your best in tournament. Improvement will come with experience and time. You can't force it, so don't try. Just play the game.

I disagree. I don't think that tournament placing is the sole factor of skill in this game. I would argue that on average, players should place higher if they have more skill. I would argue that it's widely agree that I have quite a bit of skill, and I place quite low relative to my skill. If skill determines where you should place, then I am placing lower than I should.

I do agree with you entire last paragraph. I also agree that it's no one's fault but my own. I'm working on it

 

[Steel]

I'm confident, but I suspect that most people that know me wouldn't describe me as cocky in this regard, despite my sometime joking demeanor. I know who I'm better than, I know who I'm not better than. I know who I think I'm better than, but not really sure. I know when I'm talking smack just for the fun of it. I don't think I'm cocky though. I was cocky once, and it cost me a set. That wasn't inconsistency though, not the same problem I'm facing now.

i think you're cocky as **** lol

months ago you told me to tell you whenever an ego is showing

this is me telling you.

also your mario blog, that too rofl

i still love you though

 

[Boofy!]

Link to original post: [drupal=2021]Why am I so inconsistent?[/drupal]
I've proposed the idea that perhaps it's because I play to learn and not to win.

^ Lord can I relate to this..

I always feel a bit out of my niche when I play when it counts. I feel as if I'm being too experimental, trying new things against people I seldom play when I should have done my homework before I played them! ughh!

You probably don't have this problem seeing as you have more of this game figured out then I ever will LOL.. but you really do have an awesome Marth.

anywayzz it was cool meeting you at J.G's on Saturday, wish I could be more help

 

[dualseeker]

Hope my advice helped peirced. Good luck!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0KfQmVXbk4

 

[Hylian]

I disagree. I don't think that tournament placing is the sole factor of skill in this game. I would argue that on average, players should place higher if they have more skill. I would argue that it's widely agree that I have quite a bit of skill, and I place quite low relative to my skill. If skill determines where you should place, then I am placing lower than I should.

Skill is only relative to those around you. Just because you are skilled, doesn't mean you will place high, because many other people are also skilled, and the ones placing higher are generally more skilled.

While tournaments of course don't actually define skill they are pretty much the only way to prove your skill. If you cannot prove your skill and get your expected placings then that skill might as well not even exist as it has no use. Being consistent and playing well under pressure is a skill in itself that many people fail to acknowledge.

If that skill is there, then stop relying on it. You won't learn much that way. You can't just say you have a certain amount of skill and expect it to carry you to a certain placing. You can't auto-pilot matches. You can't expect a win over any person you play.

You have to actually PLAY. Learn your opponents. Adapt. Recognize what you are getting punished for. Create options. Gain stage control. Keep momentum.

If you think you are doing these things and you still find yourself losing, then you are not doing them well enough. So practice. Just don't rely on your skill and instead focus on your opponents, no matter who they are.

 

[Pierce7d]

If that skill is there, then stop relying on it. You won't learn much that way. You can't just say you have a certain amount of skill and expect it to carry you to a certain placing. You can't auto-pilot matches. You can't expect a win over any person you play.

You have to actually PLAY. Learn your opponents. Adapt. Recognize what you are getting punished for. Create options. Gain stage control. Keep momentum.

If you think you are doing these things and you still find yourself losing, then you are not doing them well enough. So practice. Just don't rely on your skill and instead focus on your opponents, no matter who they are.

That actually makes an AMAZING amount of sense. Thank you very much Hylian

 

[**Havok**]

Pierce, me and mike saw it too when you were behind us in doubles, you DO know what the correct option is. You're extremely smart!

I think you should just look at the reasons of why you play the game in the first place and ease up. Once i did that I started doing better. I wasn't having fun, till I kinda turned it around and eased up.

 

[∫unk]

lol

scrubs try in friendlies, good players don't

that's the only thing that's happening, nothing more, not that you play better or worse in tournament

if you agreed to this, then doesnt that explain why you **** in friendlies

its about stepping it up in tournament pressure

but really to step it up there has to be no pressure (well at least for me otherwise i'd get nervous lol)

focusssssss