My neutral game sucks

[Red Venom]

For all of the knowledge I've amassed, the combos I've strived to perfect, the mix-ups, and tech I've learned it has all gone down the drain. It's gone down the drain because in a match I lose all sense of awareness. Good players, I would expect have this mentality where they make conscious decisions on how they want to react within a split second, but for me it simply isn't possible. I dash when I'm closer than I should and get punished, I get scared because I'm getting zoned out so I Hook Charge and get punished. I can't input the special move fast enough to make a string safe I get punished. I lack basic fundamentals and because of it my game suffers. Realistically, how many of you playing IGUA walk in against your opponents? The game is so fast paced it almost seems impossible to hold a neutral position against a high caliber player. I've played matches against people how strictly rush down and I can't react or wake-up to anything. I've played other matches where players will keep me out of my effective range, and punish me for trying to get in after absorbing tons of chip damage. How do I develop a deeper neutral game and make my overall fundamentals better? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[SZSR]

I've found some use from this:
http://sonichurricane.com/?page_id=1702

 

[VOR]

Pay attention to the way your opponent is moving instead of always thinking about how you are moving. pay attention to your spacing and get them to take a risk. Know how you can punish and pressure them at different spacings. Walk and evade zoning and when you get in, make it hurt. I haven't seen much of lobo's neutral game, no one has really showed its effectiveness. You just have to be patient and confident and make opportunities happen and capitalize.

 

[Red Venom]

Thanks guys, I'll be sure to really look into this I need to improve my fundamentals for sure.

 

[pogse]

this happens to most rush down or characters with no projectile/dumb stuff.
get the timing of when lobos walk animation starts to actually move forward and then stop/duck/block. doing this will often force the game to the last second, if you get hit don't get discouraged. eventually you will walk them to the corner or create your oki/mixup cause you do have this as your advantage. zoners/walk back players most often wait for you... all the time. this will take a while to get used to but its worth it - you level up not your character.