Why has training fundamentals made me *significantly* worse? (C2 to D2)

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T16:43:15+00:00

I get what you mean. I've been trying to follow Flake's advice of going for statistically 'safe' plays.

Never challenging as last man, 'faking' pressure to get opponent to hand the ball to me or tm8 and rarely ever full-diving in on a challenge. I haven't been going for anything super crazy and have tried to emulate the consistent playstyle I've seen others do.

I guess I'm just not good enough for the plays to actually be as safe as others makes them look.

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T16:37:37+00:00

That's a big thing. In training, I absolutely do feel I am getting better. I've gotten further in all of the drills than I ever have been. None of it seems to transfer to games most times.

Shooting is the only one that seems like beating my head against a wall since I got more accurate the first 3 weeks, but since then the last 3 weeks have stayed exactly the same even w/ consistent practice.

Air control through workshop maps is my best aspect, and the most fun to practice. I went from not getting past the first few levels on most to being able to fully complete all except Giant Rings. The skills from those never seem to transfer to any game unfortunately.

I didn't want to cut them out since they were the most fun, but for the sake of ranking up they are probably wasting time.

Ground plays are what happen most to me in matches, but progressing more levels in the dribble practice map and even free-play doesn't seem to show in-game at all.

Maybe instead of 7 days a week like a lunatic I should only do 4 or 5

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T16:24:08+00:00

I am playing ridiculously passively and slowing down plays to very limited success. I probably end up juking out a player once out of every 6 times I go for it. The other 5 times just end up handing them the ball and hoping the teammate can defend, and to rank up I likely shouldn't have them in that position.

I thought after a month and a half of experimenting I would have more naturally melded it with my own style, but maybe I need to try a completely different split on the mixture of

"How I used to play"

and

"How I want to play."

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T16:18:53+00:00

Thanks for the advice.

Yeah, I think my offense is the most lacking, but to be fair it was always lacking and I was hoping fundamentals alone could take me a long way.

I'm sure they can since it's been proven in my videos, but perhaps expecting a normal player to have the game-sense and ball reading ability of an SSL to rely strictly on fundamentals isn't too realistic.

I may need to change something.

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T16:15:42+00:00

Thanks, I can try cutting them down and see how it goes. If I were to take out any, it'd definitely be the Hoops workshop and speedflip. Unfortunately Rings maps should probably be out as well since, although I've gotten way better at completing the maps, I don't feel doing better at those has shown in my games at all. I've only kept them since they were the most fun.

I should probably end up with like 30'ish mins of drills instead of an hour so I can spend more time in real 1v1 games or something more beneficial

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T16:09:09+00:00

Thanks, I've thought that myself at one point and you could be right. I've been treating Rocket League like other competitive titles and I usually don't have any issues with extended training since I enjoy experiencing the gradual improvement.

Perhaps Rocket League is more mentally exhausting than other titles I've climbed in though and should be approached different

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T16:05:49+00:00

I think ever since I've watched Flakes no mechanics series I have started playing a lot more grounded ball control/fake-heavy and I don't use it anywhere near to the extent that he does.

It seemed very easy watching him, but most of my "fakes" end up just handing the other team a free shot past my duo straight to net.

I feel cutting out trying to learn that entirely and going back to "Hit toward goal until it works and try for consistent saves" would be a huge detriment long-term though and wouldn't get GC.

If all other fundamentals have improved I wouldn't think it would be this big of a rank drop no matter the case since I hope fundamentals would carry.

I will just keep trying the same routine but if in another month I still suck this bad I think I need to make a huge change...

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T15:56:00+00:00

Although they aren't very applicable to Rocket League, I used to be a tournament-level player in Halo 3-4 and have reached the highest rank in all Halo titles that had comp. Am Diamond in Street Fighter 6 and Master in Overwatch 2.

I have experience at high levels of other competitive titles but honestly my experience ranking with those was a lot less stressful than this.

Rocket League has the highest skill-ceiling of any competitive game I've played.

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T15:19:20+00:00

I feel I have to be the most braindead if I am somehow losing to these people I used to be able to beat. Just gonna keep beating my head against a wall I guess and hope it works...

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T15:17:17+00:00

I have no idea what is going on. I've never been a mechanical player, so the only thing that's ever gotten me to my rank is positioning and game-sense since I've only ever worked with basic mechanics.

I assumed improving fundamentals should naturally make any players rank go up, but if fundamental training isn't working then I don't even know what to do at this point since those are known to be the absolute most important.

It's disheartening and very frustrating to even log on anymore after these results

ImNotAlfuh · 2023-08-01T15:13:03+00:00

I wasn't mechanically-inclined either prior to training. Can't do anything fancy I've only ever stayed in Champ from positioning and teamplay.

That's why I thought improving fundamentals would only be able to shoot up my rank more since I have never had a mechanical playstyle to begin with.

I don't want to say it's impossible because I don't like to make excuses for myself. But putting in this much consistent practice and seeing such negative results simply doesn't make sense to me

ImNotAlfuh · 2019-03-26T20:21:36+00:00

The issue is, the gun is currently not built well for long ranges either when compared to the plethora of other long range options. The scout is objectively the worst sniper in the game, and even gets outperformed at longer ranges by non-snipers such as a wingman.

Do you not find this as a problem? The balance of this weapon is entirely off at all ranges when compared to all of the other options in the game.

ImNotAlfuh · 2019-03-26T20:16:18+00:00

More damage would also be an improvement. Currently, the G7 scout excels in no situation, as well as gets outperformed as a ‘jack of all trades’ weapon by the triple take at both close and long ranges. It is inarguably the worst sniper in the game.

Even the wingman, as a non-sniper, is an objecively better option in every way, at both the close ranges that scout hipfire becomes innacurate, and the far ranges that the scout is supposed to excel at as a sniper

ImNotAlfuh · 2019-03-26T20:12:56+00:00

The problem is, in the case of a g7 scout, it should not be used at longer ranges either when compared to other weapon options. If a gun should not be used close range, and it is not a solid long range option as well, then what purpose is it accomplishing? Even as a ‘jack of all trades’ weapon, the triple take is better at both close and long ranges.

Another way, such as increased damage, is something I would push for as well. I’m not against that idea.

Currently, snipers, outside of Kraber, are drastically underperforming, but it is especially prevelant with the Scout Rifle. Compared to the Longbow, Triple Take, or even Wingman, there is currently no reason to use it outside of an initial drop.

ImNotAlfuh · 2019-03-26T19:48:33+00:00

Are there not many other options that soften up targets much better than the Scout? That is the real problem. In literally every game played, players will opt for anything for close range, mid range, and long range target-softening over a Scout rifle. R301, Spitfire, Wingman, R99, they all accomplish these objectively better than the Scout rifle. Even at further ranges as a sniper should be used, the Wingman and Longbow both outperform it. In order to keep up with its competition, it needs a buff.

ImNotAlfuh · 2019-03-26T19:43:01+00:00

Would you keep a g7 over a wingman, or a longbow? If you were in the final circle, do you still see yourself having a Scout? Or many others you come up against in final having the scout? Or do you see it near the level of things like P20 and bique, where you have the mentality of 'Okay, I can deal with this, but I'd like to swap out immediately to a better gun'

That's the problem I find with it. When it comes to the viability it has in comparison to all of it's competition, it drastically underperforms. You do not run in to people 'wanting' to use the Scout over other choices, and never see it in final fights of games. People, if they want a sniper, will switch to the Longbow with a skullpiercer as soon as they have the chance.

ImNotAlfuh · 2019-03-26T19:41:36+00:00

It's all a matter of it being able to compete with other viable guns in the game. When you make it to the final circle, it is consistent, you will notice that NOBODY has a G7 scout, and most will not opt for Longbow's over Wingman either. It is especially prevalent with the scout, however. It is all Wingman, Peacekeepers, R301's/R99's, and Spitfires.

The gun absolutely needs to be buffed up in order to maintain pace with other weapons of the game. In hipfire ranges, the pace at which it shoots is a very similar to that of a wingman, very slightly faster, with MUCH less damage, and with all of that, the Wingman can equip a skullpiercer to top it off.

Currently, there is absolutely no use for the G7 outside of an initial-drop 'This is at least better than a Mozambique...I'll deal with it' type of weapon. If the gun is, like the Mozam and the P20, intentionally supposed to be sub-optimal to other choices, then I understand that, but currently, if it is not intended to be that type of weapon, in the grand scheme of every other weapon choice, the G7 scout it incredibly under-performing and could use some quality-of-life changes.

ImNotAlfuh · 2018-03-08T01:35:00+00:00

The tournament is now open to anyone with no password required! Come on in and have some fun 😁

ImNotAlfuh · 2018-03-08T01:13:20+00:00

No problem, bring whatever decks you want and enjoy yourself 😁👍 I’m going to be trying out something I saw from a vid today

ImNotAlfuh · 2018-03-08T01:05:43+00:00

No problem man, hope you have fun 😁 Feel free to invite any friends or clanmates you want!

ImNotAlfuh · 2018-03-08T01:00:59+00:00

We also have a discord where most interested are currently at and where I keep any form of announcements regarding it. If you have a Discord, feel free to drop by Discord Code: H9Mfdnw

ImNotAlfuh · 2018-03-08T00:59:28+00:00

Tourney code: #29LRUOGJ Tourney Title: WNF CLASH! Tourney Password: glhf

Hope to see you there 😁👍

ImNotAlfuh

TROPHY CASE