Happy to see so many people liking the video, received tons of positive comments on Twitter etc =) If you wanna see me do more videos like this in the future please share this video on different websites/social media =) Thanks for all the support
I think you missed a key component here. I think asking others for their opinions on your game is crucial. We often get stuck in a pattern that we can't see ourselves. And a different perspective or opinion can be super helpful. Even if the opinion is wrong, it can get you thinking in different ways. You gotta find the value in every set you play. Great job on the video tho. This stuff is kinda common sense if you sit down and think about it. But its helpful to have a model that frames everything for you. Mental game is huge in smash or in any sport; and i find this one of the hardest things to get over. I usually to relax and tell myself "this guy is a scrub; i got this; this is the best game of my life" (in my head obviously lol)
Armada this is gonna be completely irrelevant but do you think you improved more at ultimate from hours played on that game or hours played on melee? As in mentality and decision making
This is so true. Everytime "grinding" is recommended whenever you have a problem. Often times you'll feel that wall of being technically great but still lose and not know why so you go back to practicing stuff you've long since mastered.
I have been, for one year, researching about the term of "learning", and true learning. I have never been taught by this way, and I have discovered this path through myself and other references. Studying what you have done wrong, watching other people who is better than me, making notes, real and true thinking about what can I do in order to improve... All these things were pointed out in the video, I really appreciate that you show this valuable knowledge to a lot of people, you are a beast Armada. GOAT
I'm not a smash player but a splatoon player, and yeah that video showed me I'm on the right path to learn and improve. I used to play by instinct, and somehow it worked, until I fought opponents who were theorycrafting the game and learning how to learn. At this time, I had the feeling they always were in my head and find the right way to counter me everytime I faced them. So I got stuck a long time in higher ranks. Then I told myself : "Ok, so I need something right now, and I think counting only on practice and experience is more like trying to find a code by typing every possible combination by hand". So What I did was to remake my whole learning process by consolidating my basics, capturing my games for looking back at them at the end of the day or the day after. I always thought my gameplay was good in that time, but when I saw myself playing I understood I made mistakes and I was not on point. TBH, that hurts a lot when you realize that you suck. But when I accepted it, everything was changing for the best. With all the games I captured, I extracted what I had to work on. To have an example of the good practices, I looked at the best players gameplay and tournaments. I slowed down the videos and analyze how they setup a good position for themselves, what they usually think about towards hards situations. Then after those analyzing sessions, I tried to apply what I learnt in matches. In the first time, it's hard, because your brain is unlearning habits and learning new, so you mess up what you wanna do, and you think at this moment that you suck even more. But Weeks later, when the new good habits are learnt, you can see the improvements, and you have to restart the process, until you're good. Thanks for the video Armada
@@Halcypian ik, but Ness can apply an almost perfect pressure if he traps you on the pk fire, if you jump immediately you got a Fair, if roll outside dash attack or another pk if shield Back throw or down throw fair fair fair if your Chac doesn't go that far offstage
Thank you so much for putting this together, Armada. I've really felt like I haven't been able to improve lately as a player, but I haven't been reflecting on my play or taking better notes of what other players do. I knew to do these things already but I probably haven't taken it as seriously as I should.
This has helped me so much in my first year of ultimate. I'm already seen as an upset threat and people call me by my characters name :). I just want to say thank you so much. The four part cycle has helped me so.
I find most of these guides on how to improve are well... useless and don’t work for people just that one person who is ranting the whole time but this guide is actually really good! This applies to every player and is very encouraging toward players of all levels! Probably the best “how to improve at smash guide mentality” guide I’ve seen.
Im a competitor in a another game but this video really helped me understand what can I do to improve further (namely reflect on past mistakes). Thank you so much.
Very good video. As always, Armada is one of the most methodical and intelligent smash players. Not just because hes smart, but because he is very introspective and willing to critique himself without also tearing himself down. Its evident every video he posts that he is extremely aware of his limits and strengths as a player and a human, and he isnt worried about hiding those things to make himself look better, instead he actually strives to be better. I am very impressed by him, and am always inspired to work harder and smarter by his words. Thank you Armada! 💪💪
13:00 This was my wall recently, it pushed me to study what i was doing. Its amazing how fast i got better once i started dedicating some of the time i was just playing to watching myself, others, and figuring out what i should do in certain scenarios. which i guess is the point of the video.
You have provided by far one of the intelligent and purest improvement videos on RUclips, you can apply the steps from your video in almost every aspect of your life. I see myself doing moderate at the first three steps but when it comes to applying I fall short. This will definitely take my skills to the next level. Thank you for making this video.
Learning to breathe is also something very important. I personally have trouble with nerves and anxiety during tourney matches. I panic and start to autopilot, but recognizing those behaviors brings about the need to breathe. Stop and breathe. It's ok. It's not over yet. The other trap that I've seen myself and others get into is believing one tourney is the end-all-be-all for us, and it can be suffocating. But there are clearly more tourneys ahead, and the practice is rich. So why are we are own worst enemy when it comes to That? I think it's just human nature, then, to be so uptight about immediate results without realizing the journey is much longer than quick satisfaction. Complacency can be a struggle to get over.
you're a saint adam. i've always been told this, but i've never really knew what it meant, and never had someone of a higher skill level really clarify it for me.
This video was so great to watch. I try to apply this sort of advice to my gameplay as well and sometimes it's hard. Thanks for this Armada, you've been my favorite smasher all the way back since I took interest in watching/playing competitive Melee and now you're an inspiration for me to get better at Inkling in Ultimate. You're such an awesome guy, keep doing what you're doing!
This video hits where it needs to. I knew that when I lose, it's because I make mistakes, but I didn't really know which part I was doing wrong. Figured out I wasn't doing the analysis/thinking steps. Thank you for this.
Thank you for making this. I post a lot on the CrazyHand reddit to help others get better, and this video answers probably half of all questions people ask about why they aren't improving. I'll definitely be sharing it.
You made a great point about the "illusion of learning". You see that in the gym world also. One can work out just lift and see instant gains for months without thinking about diet, regiment, sleep, etc. It's called "noob gains".but then plateau eventually.
my fav learning technique: when I always time a move wrong (knee too early for example), I try to time it too late on purpose, then my brain understands the correct timing, cuz it knows too early and too late, instead of just too early everytime hard to describe. I think I got the tip from one of Karl Jobst's speedrunning tips videos. it helped alot, for Smash & Rocket League
Yeah this is amazing advice and is severely underlooked. I can see why you've been a champion for such a long time. You have the mind and the heart of one. Keep on doing what you do man!
It's easy to skip reflecting, and fool yourself into thinking you did. An example is if you walk into your opponent's charged fsmash and you know instantly not to do it again, but you ignore everything else you did wrong. There will always be a couple crucial dumb mistakes in most games, and those are actually the easiest to fix. You will always notice walking into fsmash, and know how to avoid it. Fixing the subtle bad habits is much harder
If this video made you interested go read up on Self Regulated Learning. Zimmerman is a great source for this. Knowing about the concepts usually helps and makes your mental stronger. When it comes to the four steps - they are all different skillsets, just like wavedashing or l-canceling. You can't expect to be a good reflected competitor just by wanting to be it, you have to experience it and work on yourself and your own thought process. Also check out attribution theory, it's something that keeps a lot of competitors back.
Thanks!!!! Just recently started going thru this cycle, thanks to this video I have much more clarity, preparing to go to a major tournament in a couple of months and want to be sure I’m on my A game
I'm not even a Smash player (platform fighters don't appeal to me, sorry), yet the #1 laying down secrets of the path he forged for himself brought me here. Thank You for giving hope to players like me (I prefer traditional & anime fighters) who aren't born with inborn gaming talent. Thank You for your honest thoughts on talent vs. hard work. I don't understand platform fighters, but whatever I've seen, I liked you & PPMD as people. I wish you all the very best for your future endeavours! Thank You Sire!!!
Great vid man. I’ve learned to apply these things over the years, but it’s always great to see it summed up, and have a great succinct reminder! Thanks for sharing bro!
Excited to see "Learning how to learn how to learn" edit: Damn good video btw. Honestly I feel like this cycle applies everywhere to a degree. I mean, not even just competitive games, but anything you do, like sports or academics or something. Super good video Armada, and really valuable advice.
There is an inverse of your "be honest with yourself", a trap I see a lot of people getting stuck in, where people obsess over their flaws and, instead of working on them, think of themselves as intrinsically bad and hopeless and stop trying altogether. The way to get better at this is to try to focus on concrete solutions, and to see a therapist if that doesn't work or you don't know how to do that. (Given that you are watching a video like this, I recommend that you try cognitive-behavioral therapy first. But there are other types of therapy and other therapists if that doesn't work.) If that doesn't work, I suggest - and yes, I am being completely serious here - trying antidepressants. Sometimes you need a stepstool to get yourself out of a hole like that. Nothing to be ashamed of. (If so, don't stop taking them when you're "better" without checking with your doctor; there is a special protocol for "weaning off" to prevent you from falling right back in afterwards.)
When you are watching your old matches, what is that process like? Are you trying to put yourself in the shoes of the opponent? Are you seeing where you made mistakes and picture different actions you could have taken? This is the biggest point I struggle with. I rewatch my history, but I'm not sure how to spend that time effectively.
80% of visible skill improvement, especially in fighting games, is pure technical ability. That is, you have to become hyper aware of every aspect of the game engine's physics and geometric relationships so that you are able to execute whatever action string you want without "losing" yourself into the abyss of an unknown near future state.
Never played smash in my life, but I follow the scene for some reason and I respect the pro players. I found this super video interesting, and I'll try to apply these things on other games that I play!
For finding solutions to problems, something I've done is to go online with the character, and see what people do to counter the strategy when I use it.
Happy to see so many people liking the video, received tons of positive comments on Twitter etc =)
If you wanna see me do more videos like this in the future please share this video on different websites/social media =)
Thanks for all the support
Armada naw b, we dig it. Smash is a game of wits, so any insight can help a player improve
I think you missed a key component here. I think asking others for their opinions on your game is crucial. We often get stuck in a pattern that we can't see ourselves. And a different perspective or opinion can be super helpful. Even if the opinion is wrong, it can get you thinking in different ways. You gotta find the value in every set you play.
Great job on the video tho. This stuff is kinda common sense if you sit down and think about it. But its helpful to have a model that frames everything for you. Mental game is huge in smash or in any sport; and i find this one of the hardest things to get over. I usually to relax and tell myself "this guy is a scrub; i got this; this is the best game of my life" (in my head obviously lol)
Armada this is gonna be completely irrelevant but do you think you improved more at ultimate from hours played on that game or hours played on melee? As in mentality and decision making
Armada Lav u homie, you help alot 💖
You've pointed out a lot of things that I do that I didn't realize I did. Thanks a bunch Armada, you've definitely provided some good insight.
Poor mental game *shows several clips of M2K* I see you armada
Seriously though, early days M2k played like a robot.
Even outside the realm of Smash, this video is very useful. Thank you for taking the time to make it. I appreciate it greatly.
Next up -
Armading how to Armada by Learn
Next up - Learning how to be Armada by A V
This wasn’t stolen at all
This is so true. Everytime "grinding" is recommended whenever you have a problem. Often times you'll feel that wall of being technically great but still lose and not know why so you go back to practicing stuff you've long since mastered.
I have been, for one year, researching about the term of "learning", and true learning. I have never been taught by this way, and I have discovered this path through myself and other references. Studying what you have done wrong, watching other people who is better than me, making notes, real and true thinking about what can I do in order to improve... All these things were pointed out in the video, I really appreciate that you show this valuable knowledge to a lot of people, you are a beast Armada. GOAT
I'm not a smash player but a splatoon player, and yeah that video showed me I'm on the right path to learn and improve.
I used to play by instinct, and somehow it worked, until I fought opponents who were theorycrafting the game and learning how to learn. At this time, I had the feeling they always were in my head and find the right way to counter me everytime I faced them. So I got stuck a long time in higher ranks.
Then I told myself : "Ok, so I need something right now, and I think counting only on practice and experience is more like trying to find a code by typing every possible combination by hand". So What I did was to remake my whole learning process by consolidating my basics, capturing my games for looking back at them at the end of the day or the day after.
I always thought my gameplay was good in that time, but when I saw myself playing I understood I made mistakes and I was not on point. TBH, that hurts a lot when you realize that you suck. But when I accepted it, everything was changing for the best. With all the games I captured, I extracted what I had to work on.
To have an example of the good practices, I looked at the best players gameplay and tournaments. I slowed down the videos and analyze how they setup a good position for themselves, what they usually think about towards hards situations.
Then after those analyzing sessions, I tried to apply what I learnt in matches. In the first time, it's hard, because your brain is unlearning habits and learning new, so you mess up what you wanna do, and you think at this moment that you suck even more. But Weeks later, when the new good habits are learnt, you can see the improvements, and you have to restart the process, until you're good.
Thanks for the video Armada
Any video with Stickerbush Symphony is a winner
I KNEW I RECOGNIZED THAT SONG, WAHAHAHAHA
WA WAA WAAAAAAAARIO
Joel Robinson lol i wanna like but i dont wanna break the 69 likes
Armada you're my favorite player because of your thought process and your willingness to share it.
the stock picture of the thinking guy killed me.
How most Smash fans "learn:"
*Instead of getting better, complain about spammers and swear it's the spammers fault and not theirs. *
People who laser camp with falco are still lame
basically half of smash 4/ultimate's playerbase summed up in a single sentence
Uchiha Gamer learn basic counterplay?
@@Halcypian ik, but Ness can apply an almost perfect pressure if he traps you on the pk fire, if you jump immediately you got a Fair, if roll outside dash attack or another pk if shield Back throw or down throw fair fair fair if your Chac doesn't go that far offstage
It is our fault for losing, but I would still like to point out that every person unironically spamming projectiles is shit in the game.
This kind of video content compliments your strength as a competitor Adam! I loved this video. Thank you!
7:30 imagine being in front of Armada, and he stares at you like that
"Excuses like.... *saying you live in a bad region*"
le lenny face
@valy0f what are you talking about
@valy0f start hostig or move out
This is literally the video I've been looking for, I hope it'll help me!
Aah a fellow Sheik main finally
@@Maximemery Yes, indeed
Well, how has the video helped you?
I have wanted a video like this for so long, and I am so glad it’s from you Armada.
Prolly the best video of all time, applicable to so many skills
therapist: baby armada isn't real, he can't hurt you
baby armada: 17:00
pls explain
@@oliviawallace3636
baby armada
@@oliviawallace3636
yes
Therapist: overused memes aren't real, they can't hurt you
ya boi:
What an incredibly great video. Greatly structured, visualized and told. 10/10.
Whoops! I definitely fall into the illusion of learning category.
You can literally apply this advice to anything you are trying to get better at IRL in terms of competition. Great vid Melee Swede God
Thank you so much for putting this together, Armada. I've really felt like I haven't been able to improve lately as a player, but I haven't been reflecting on my play or taking better notes of what other players do. I knew to do these things already but I probably haven't taken it as seriously as I should.
This has helped me so much in my first year of ultimate. I'm already seen as an upset threat and people call me by my characters name :). I just want to say thank you so much. The four part cycle has helped me so.
I find most of these guides on how to improve are well... useless and don’t work for people just that one person who is ranting the whole time but this guide is actually really good! This applies to every player and is very encouraging toward players of all levels! Probably the best “how to improve at smash guide mentality” guide I’ve seen.
Im a competitor in a another game but this video really helped me understand what can I do to improve further (namely reflect on past mistakes). Thank you so much.
Very good video. As always, Armada is one of the most methodical and intelligent smash players. Not just because hes smart, but because he is very introspective and willing to critique himself without also tearing himself down. Its evident every video he posts that he is extremely aware of his limits and strengths as a player and a human, and he isnt worried about hiding those things to make himself look better, instead he actually strives to be better. I am very impressed by him, and am always inspired to work harder and smarter by his words. Thank you Armada! 💪💪
Very good and psychological. 10/10.
13:00
This was my wall recently, it pushed me to study what i was doing. Its amazing how fast i got better once i started dedicating some of the time i was just playing to watching myself, others, and figuring out what i should do in certain scenarios. which i guess is the point of the video.
I love how Armada applies his experience in teaching for this video. Education is key, guys :D
This is amazing content, so much information packed in a few minutes. As long as you make these we will keep watching them!
You have provided by far one of the intelligent and purest improvement videos on RUclips, you can apply the steps from your video in almost every aspect of your life. I see myself doing moderate at the first three steps but when it comes to applying I fall short. This will definitely take my skills to the next level. Thank you for making this video.
Learning to breathe is also something very important. I personally have trouble with nerves and anxiety during tourney matches. I panic and start to autopilot, but recognizing those behaviors brings about the need to breathe. Stop and breathe. It's ok. It's not over yet.
The other trap that I've seen myself and others get into is believing one tourney is the end-all-be-all for us, and it can be suffocating. But there are clearly more tourneys ahead, and the practice is rich. So why are we are own worst enemy when it comes to That?
I think it's just human nature, then, to be so uptight about immediate results without realizing the journey is much longer than quick satisfaction. Complacency can be a struggle to get over.
I've never even played Smash, but this e-sports video was super awesome!
baby armada at the end. he is born anew, fresh, a new beginning!
you're a saint adam. i've always been told this, but i've never really knew what it meant, and never had someone of a higher skill level really clarify it for me.
This video is exactly what I needed! Thank you, Armada!
This video was so great to watch. I try to apply this sort of advice to my gameplay as well and sometimes it's hard. Thanks for this Armada, you've been my favorite smasher all the way back since I took interest in watching/playing competitive Melee and now you're an inspiration for me to get better at Inkling in Ultimate. You're such an awesome guy, keep doing what you're doing!
I gotta say, this is amazing stuff Armada. Your best video so far, and hopefully a big contribution to the smash community!
Great video! Also, that meditation to four-stock is legendary; one of the hypest Melee moments for sure
This is very much needed, it can be really difficult to know how to improve if you don't know what you're doing wrong.
This video hits where it needs to. I knew that when I lose, it's because I make mistakes, but I didn't really know which part I was doing wrong. Figured out I wasn't doing the analysis/thinking steps. Thank you for this.
Thank you for making this. I post a lot on the CrazyHand reddit to help others get better, and this video answers probably half of all questions people ask about why they aren't improving. I'll definitely be sharing it.
This is so far my favourite video from Armada. This information will help so many players.
You made a great point about the "illusion of learning". You see that in the gym world also. One can work out just lift and see instant gains for months without thinking about diet, regiment, sleep, etc. It's called "noob gains".but then plateau eventually.
This is the best video on improvement I have ever seen. Thanks heaps for doing this!
my fav learning technique:
when I always time a move wrong (knee too early for example), I try to time it too late on purpose, then my brain understands the correct timing, cuz it knows too early and too late, instead of just too early everytime
hard to describe. I think I got the tip from one of Karl Jobst's speedrunning tips videos. it helped alot, for Smash & Rocket League
This is an amazing resource for beginners/intermediate players. Thank you Armada for everything you do for Melee.
5:20 holy shit when you see it in slow motion the depth of the interaction is craaazy
You sir, are a man of culture with that music choice.
Thanks Armada i was having trouble with finding a main more than nothing now i practice ken and i'll follow your steps you helped me a lot thanks
Good now I can pass my classes, thanks armada!
Yeah this is amazing advice and is severely underlooked. I can see why you've been a champion for such a long time. You have the mind and the heart of one. Keep on doing what you do man!
This is a very valuable video. Thank you for sharing your experience and insights.
I think this is pretty general and useful, even in progressing into any game, any sport or even any mastery.
Thanks Armada for this mindset when it comes to improving in anything in general. I really liked it and wish you could make more in the future :))
It's easy to skip reflecting, and fool yourself into thinking you did. An example is if you walk into your opponent's charged fsmash and you know instantly not to do it again, but you ignore everything else you did wrong. There will always be a couple crucial dumb mistakes in most games, and those are actually the easiest to fix. You will always notice walking into fsmash, and know how to avoid it. Fixing the subtle bad habits is much harder
If this video made you interested go read up on Self Regulated Learning. Zimmerman is a great source for this. Knowing about the concepts usually helps and makes your mental stronger.
When it comes to the four steps - they are all different skillsets, just like wavedashing or l-canceling. You can't expect to be a good reflected competitor just by wanting to be it, you have to experience it and work on yourself and your own thought process. Also check out attribution theory, it's something that keeps a lot of competitors back.
Also I haven't seen much of Armada's channel doing much other than stuff from streams
so this video is a nice fresh of air, like your vids
Thanks!!!! Just recently started going thru this cycle, thanks to this video I have much more clarity, preparing to go to a major tournament in a couple of months and want to be sure I’m on my A game
Big cool points for the reference to your meditation vs. Leffen
Stickbrush symphony the first few minutes got me hooked.
Fantastic Video Adam! Keep up these kinds of videos!
lets go armada. this is incredible content, and it means even more coming THE top player. thanks homie
Not only good advice for Smash. Armada out here dropping life advice on us. Good video.
This is how Armada learned how to speed run.
Will 100% be using this, thank you!
I'm not even a Smash player (platform fighters don't appeal to me, sorry), yet the #1 laying down secrets of the path he forged for himself brought me here. Thank You for giving hope to players like me (I prefer traditional & anime fighters) who aren't born with inborn gaming talent. Thank You for your honest thoughts on talent vs. hard work. I don't understand platform fighters, but whatever I've seen, I liked you & PPMD as people. I wish you all the very best for your future endeavours! Thank You Sire!!!
I think this was the video I needed to help break my plateau, thanks Armada!
I'm glad I've already been thinking this way, but the way you described it helped open my eyes!
Very insightful video
Armada
You can't hide that Gene's Rock a Bye from my ears
I literally just came across sticker bush symphony the other and I can’t stop listening to it.
Armada once again putting out that GOAT content. 🙏🏻
Thank you soooo much for this armada
I can’t wait to go start this cycle and improve my inkling:)
Nice I was expecting a more incremental learning approach but I was proven wrong good job armada.
Great vid man. I’ve learned to apply these things over the years, but it’s always great to see it summed up, and have a great succinct reminder! Thanks for sharing bro!
Excited to see "Learning how to learn how to learn"
edit: Damn good video btw. Honestly I feel like this cycle applies everywhere to a degree. I mean, not even just competitive games, but anything you do, like sports or academics or something. Super good video Armada, and really valuable advice.
There is an inverse of your "be honest with yourself", a trap I see a lot of people getting stuck in, where people obsess over their flaws and, instead of working on them, think of themselves as intrinsically bad and hopeless and stop trying altogether. The way to get better at this is to try to focus on concrete solutions, and to see a therapist if that doesn't work or you don't know how to do that. (Given that you are watching a video like this, I recommend that you try cognitive-behavioral therapy first. But there are other types of therapy and other therapists if that doesn't work.)
If that doesn't work, I suggest - and yes, I am being completely serious here - trying antidepressants. Sometimes you need a stepstool to get yourself out of a hole like that. Nothing to be ashamed of. (If so, don't stop taking them when you're "better" without checking with your doctor; there is a special protocol for "weaning off" to prevent you from falling right back in afterwards.)
Stickerbrush symphony. Luv it :D
Simple structure for improving in smash, so helpful!
Excellent video! More of these, please!
Adam.
When you are watching your old matches, what is that process like?
Are you trying to put yourself in the shoes of the opponent? Are you seeing where you made mistakes and picture different actions you could have taken?
This is the biggest point I struggle with. I rewatch my history, but I'm not sure how to spend that time effectively.
Armada's so modest, didn't even mention the 4-stock when talking about beast 5.
very great video, applys to pretty much anything.
I got hype when I heard the God Hand music playing
Thank you for this video! Thanks for your time and your work :)
Priceless! Thanks for sharing
Excellent! Much love for share dude
This video is valuable
80% of visible skill improvement, especially in fighting games, is pure technical ability. That is, you have to become hyper aware of every aspect of the game engine's physics and geometric relationships so that you are able to execute whatever action string you want without "losing" yourself into the abyss of an unknown near future state.
I like to think of other players as video game bosses. Like mega man bosses except they have really hard patterns to learn. And they can adapt.
Honestly an all around great video.
Your videos are so relaxing
Extremely valuable video
Great concept and video. Definitely something everyone should be applying to their lives, in and out of smash 👍🏽
Never played smash in my life, but I follow the scene for some reason and I respect the pro players. I found this super video interesting, and I'll try to apply these things on other games that I play!
For finding solutions to problems, something I've done is to go online with the character, and see what people do to counter the strategy when I use it.
This is gonna be really helpful
Thank you, very honest, very straight forward, very helpful.