That's interesting, I'm the exact opposite. I can spend more time labbing and memorizing options against a bunch of characters, and go multiple days without playing anyone. Then I'll go play and muscle memory my way through matches. "Oh you did that move with that character, my memory says I follow up with option A. Next time since you'll expect A I follow up with B. Oh you're using character X? I know this option works better, so let me see how you respond, and if you adjust then I adjust". I try to learn all the for and against options for specific MUs. This is also why I tend to struggle in MUs that I rarely see when I shouldn't like an unexpected solid Kollector and such, because of my training style. I practice to be able to beat the character, so beating the player becomes secondary.