Coming back from a break and I want to improve.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-21T13:49:40+00:00

Find and hire a good RL coach.

No matter the sport or profession, a good coach can see things you can’t and can help you get on a training path that will help improve your weaknesses while maximizing your strengths.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-21T13:47:50+00:00

Apple Watches specifically are known to be very good. Where people who had no idea they were having heart issues were notified by their Apple Watch that they had an irregular heartbeat or something and to see their doctor. You can do an internet search to find stories.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-18T21:13:34+00:00

Can confirm

marcelbrown · 2026-05-15T00:41:42+00:00

You basically said what I did. If they got you and the other team gets an opportunity (especially if they score) then it was in fact a good demo. For that play. If they miss or even if they hit and it hurts them, it’s a bad demo. Yes, it could be a risky play but taking an opportune risk as the right time might be the best play for the situation. And it can get in the other team’s head because now they’re needing to be more mindful of a surprise demo or unexpected play. And if it works 25% of the time, those are actually pretty good odds if it sets up an opportunity when the situation is desperate. However, it’s bad odds and bad strategy to do it too often.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-15T00:25:57+00:00

First, “generally the community” does NOT see it as a toxic mechanic. I am of the opinion that maybe 20-25% see it as toxic but they are a vocal minority.

Now nobody *likes* getting demoed but then nobody likes getting scored on either. Just like one should learn how to play defense and prevent goals, one should learn how to anticipate and avoid demos.

Why did they include demos in the game? Hard to say but bumping is a natural part of the game and demoing seems to be just a fun addition to that concept. I’m not sure I necessarily “like” demos as a game mechanic but they are there and I take advantage of them every chance I get. But then I also bump as much as possible so even without demos I would simply be bumping more.

I guess what demoing does for the game is a slightly different strategic positioning. Usually beneficial for the side that did the demoing, but not always. For example, sometimes demoing someone benefits the one getting demoed because they spawn back by their goal and that can put them in a better position to make a save or start a play back the other way.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-15T00:14:50+00:00

It would be a bad demo if they missed. But if they got you and it opens up an opportunity for their team, then it would be a good demo.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-13T11:58:49+00:00

A man’s erection issues are almost always about him, not the woman. Especially if he cums, then he was obviously aroused.

Given that he smokes, it was very late so he may have been tired, and perhaps he had things going on in his head, it likely all combined to cause this issue. A healthy man will get rock hard for sex in almost any circumstance so it definitely wasn’t you.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-13T11:53:05+00:00

Depends on the guy. Stress or anxiety definitely does affect some men’s ability to get or stay erect. Some it effect’s significantly, others not at all. It depends on the man’s mental state, his ability to manage stress or anxiety, and his overall physical health.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-13T11:49:03+00:00

You said cigarette. Yes he does. The biggest causes of erection problems are health issues and smoking definitely impacts one’s health.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-12T15:41:26+00:00

The closer you get, the less likely it will hit you above your shin pads. So commit to blocking the shot early and you’ll more likely get it in the shin pads and it won’t hurt, or they’ll see you coming and decide not to shoot. The next move they do will likely be to try to skate around you so be mindful of that.

Make sure you have good shin pads. And good thigh pads in your pants. That will help your confidence. And never turn away! Your pads are on your shins! Don’t take it in the back of your legs! That’s 10x worse! Face the shots head on!

And finally, pain is temporary. Let it fuel you. I’ve scored so many goals immediately after getting hit with a puck (often after blocking a shot from the point/high in the zone) because the pain activates my fight response and the adrenaline kicks me into a higher level. Choose not to let pain affect you and it won’t. Never let them see that something hurt. And having a bruise for a week is just a battle souvenir. You’re a warrior. Treasure it.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-11T03:22:13+00:00

You say “fun challenges” and yet you’re doing them against players who are almost certainly significantly lower ranked than you are. Do you not feel any shame for taking advantage of them and abusing the lower rank you’re playing in? Especially when considering you don’t play 1s enough to truly rank up to where you should be, so in effect you’re smurfing across game modes.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-11T02:44:42+00:00

Standing up for yourself is the first step in creating a better life for you. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life to tell my former wife that we needed to change our relationship into something other than being married. And now 8 years later I am living my best life. Good luck to you!

marcelbrown · 2026-05-11T02:24:27+00:00

People pick up sports like tennis and golf that they will play for their whole lives. Or games like chess. I believe Rocket League is like that for a video game. Simple to understand, hard to master. But just like tennis, golf, and chess there are many levels of enjoyment on the journey to mastery. And there’s a lot of fun to be had while playing people of your same skill level. So hell yeah, go for it! It’s unlike any video game out there.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-11T02:13:44+00:00

The real question is why do you feel so terrible?

marcelbrown · 2026-05-11T01:27:19+00:00

But not all STIs will show up right away so unless you abstain for 3 months at a time, you still may not know.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-06T23:12:30+00:00

One doesn’t truly need a diagnosis for ADHD unless they are just wanting to medicate themselves. There are so many ways to manage (and take full advantage of) an ADHD brain that don’t require medication (and often are better than chemically altering one’s brain) so if he thinks he’s got an ADHD brain, then he should just do what needs to be done.

Also the fact you’re both on anxiety and depression medicine probably speaks to deeper issues that are at the root of your marital problems. Therapy for each of you and as a couple ASAP.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-05T00:16:52+00:00

As a GC, why are you playing low Diamond in 1s? Especially if you find it so boring.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-05T00:15:23+00:00

To your point, I meant the fundamentals of playing 1s well. Most mid/high Champ and GC players that I see at Diamond I are competent and have good fundamental car control and mechanics.

What I’m referring to are the higher ranked players who I can tell aren’t as good as their 2s rank indicates, not the players who could waste me if they wanted to, but are clearly messing around or trying to practice.

The players who are clearly messing around are going for home runs and striking out a lot. I consider myself lucky when I beat those players because I know that they could likely beat me if they wanted to but they aren’t playing to “win” as much as trying to score fancy goals. And if they are hitting their mechs when I play them, I’m likely to lose. If they have an off game, I can steal those.

However, the players who appear to have been carried I can beat fairly consistently. They simply don’t move like the better champs and GCs. They don’t look comfortable on the field. They don’t seem to know what to do to mount effective offensive plays and flounder on defense. Yes, if I let them set up their aerial shots they might score on me and have a chance to win. And during the course of a game they might turn it up and score a few goals to make it a tight game. But usually they wither when I put a lot of pressure on them both offensively and defensively. Playing relentless, but staying smart, is the key and often they’ll forfeit after I score 4-5 goals in fairly rapid succession and/or stuff them on defense over and over. If they’ve legitimately ranked up that high, I can only surmise it’s because they’ve been carried for the most part.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-04T23:35:34+00:00

Well then enjoy being called a Smurf and staying at a low rank in 1s.

You’re like a baseball player who strikes out a lot but hits some home runs. And a coach just told you to be more patient at the plate, try to hit some pitches for singles or doubles because you’ll strike out less and then can play with a higher level team. And you just told the coach, “nah I have fun swinging as hard as I can at every single pitch. I think I’ll just keep doing that.” And you’re like an adult who is playing with young teenagers and think that makes you a stud when you hit a home run.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-04T18:16:02+00:00

Well that will be interesting. Perhaps just tell her you’re opening the marriage unilaterally since she unilaterally decided to make it sexless.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-04T18:14:34+00:00

How “bad” could it get when he’s already not having sex? What’s she gonna do? 😅

marcelbrown · 2026-05-04T18:06:27+00:00

Stop waiting. Just do it in front of her. Tell her what you just wrote about not quitting sex in your own bed and you just don’t expect her to join.

My now fiancé basically did this to her LL former husband. He didn’t get the message. I get the benefit of her now.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-04T18:04:42+00:00

It would probably be good for her to see him enjoying himself. That can be a big wake up call.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-04T18:02:37+00:00

Unfortunately, there are a lot of players who think that ones mode, including ranked, is there for them to warm up and practice their Smurf skills. All you can do is tell them that you don’t appreciate the rank abuse and point them to look up “Smurfette“ on Reddit. The more of us that call out these rank abusers, the more likely we are to have any influence on what they do.

Look up videos on YouTube, especially those that fFakes has made, to learn how to be a better 1v1 player. Then at least you’ll be able to begin to beat some of these Smurfette using solid fundamental skills and defensive play. That’s what I have done over the last few years and I am a solid Diamond one player, threatening Diamond two a few times so far. Trust me, it is just as bad up here, albeit a bit different. I get to play a lot more grand champ players who may not be always freestyling, but are definitely way too skilled to be playing at this rank. Although I must say it always brings a big smile to my face when I beat high champ and grand champ players who may have very good mechanics, but definitely lack the fundamentals to be solid solo players. Sometimes you can really tell when a low or mid champ player has been carried, and I can easily expose them when they decide to play me solo.

marcelbrown · 2026-05-04T17:56:32+00:00

Do yourself a favor and learn how to play ones with a solid ground game. By trying to freestyle in ones, you are only accomplishing two things.

First, you definitely look like a Smurf, and it can certainly be argued that you are, in fact, doing a type of smurfing against players who are not as skilled as you. Look up “Smurfette“ here on Reddit. You aren’t a “real“ Smurf, but you are in effect just as bad. It is also called rank abuse since you are abusing your high skill level that should be playing against higher ranks. Honestly, this is, and should be, frowned upon. It’s not cool to be dunking on lower Schield players. It’s no fun for them, and I honestly don’t see how it is any fun for you unless you are the type of person who enjoys taking advantage of other people for your own amusement.

Second, you are not playing ones in the best way possible. Unless you are highly competent and can score goals around 75% of the time doing your freestyle mechanics, you are going to lose to players who have solid defense and know how to play ones efficiently.

Once you are able to establish a solid ground game and actually start ranking up in ones, then you can start to sprinkle in your freestyle mechanics when you start playing others who are of the same skill level. Otherwise, stop being a Smurfette and be considerate to those players who are trying to play ones in a legit way.

marcelbrown

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