GAV
Resolution through knowledge and resolve.
I have known many known players long before they became known and I gave them all this advice. Have discussions with like-minded players (meaning serious players) about how you approach this or that.
In Madden, for instance, I would ask them how they deal with a specific defense. I would specifically want to know how confident they are against it and how they would go about attacking it.
In fighting games, ask how you would go at a player who stays full screen and attacks from afar with a specific character matchup in mind. Ask about their confidence in attacking such a player in that matchup and what they look to do first and what they are looking for. When they answer, you will have a different idea on what to do. Tell them what you look to do. Through this discussion, you will notice that although there are similarities in what you look to do, there are also fundamental differences - usually in the starting point. Through these discussions, you will become aware of blind spots on both sides. They will present options you didn't think of. Likewise, you will recognize flaws in their answers as well. Do this for every style you can think of, one at a time, so that you can process the information and actually ingest it.
The one that knows more from that point will always have a slight advantage in that matchup from then on, so have discussions like this with teammates - before having these discussions with competitors. Although we learn more as we go, we remain who we were - and rarely does our starting point change in terms of what we look to do to start. Still, the insight from these discussions will jump you forward - while grinding out matchups yourself is a much longer process.
In Madden, for instance, I would ask them how they deal with a specific defense. I would specifically want to know how confident they are against it and how they would go about attacking it.
In fighting games, ask how you would go at a player who stays full screen and attacks from afar with a specific character matchup in mind. Ask about their confidence in attacking such a player in that matchup and what they look to do first and what they are looking for. When they answer, you will have a different idea on what to do. Tell them what you look to do. Through this discussion, you will notice that although there are similarities in what you look to do, there are also fundamental differences - usually in the starting point. Through these discussions, you will become aware of blind spots on both sides. They will present options you didn't think of. Likewise, you will recognize flaws in their answers as well. Do this for every style you can think of, one at a time, so that you can process the information and actually ingest it.
The one that knows more from that point will always have a slight advantage in that matchup from then on, so have discussions like this with teammates - before having these discussions with competitors. Although we learn more as we go, we remain who we were - and rarely does our starting point change in terms of what we look to do to start. Still, the insight from these discussions will jump you forward - while grinding out matchups yourself is a much longer process.
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