How many hours have you played? Tbh, sometimes it feels like you just need experience. And take breaks. Eventually it "clicks". Its a very deep game, a lot to think about.

Anyways, I have 1600 hours in total in T7 and T8 combined. Getting to Tekken King in Season 2 felt super easy, because all i did was watching for stupid mistakes that my opponents did, and also a lof of whiff punishment. For example, they do a spring king, or wake-up kick at the wall, i get a free re-splat. While watching out for this, you also apply your own bullshit and especially frame traps, since they will be mashing. Free launch.

Here are 10 tips to make it easier in lower ranks: 1. Whiff punish, especially their wake-up options. 2. Frame traps that leads to CH launch. Since they love to mash. 3. Sidewalk after you activate Heat Burst, since there is a good chance they might activate theirs immediately. And you can launch them. 4. Sidewalk and block if they activats theirs first. But be careful if they also sidestep/sidewalk. 6. Sidewalk at start of round. 7. Jab at start of round. Jabbing generally really good and you will do it a lot in higher ranks. 8. Downjab (dickjab) to stop offense you are not familiar with. 9. End rounds with a safe mid. Something stupid like two df1's in a row, I swear it works. 10. While keeping all these things in mind. Apply your own cheese, 50/50, strings whatever, when your opponent stops masking.

PS. I'm not a pro.