u/Global-Location4663 — reddlx

I am planning on entering GOML 2026 this year as my first tournament (I might try a local before but IDK), and I really want to stand a chance. I mean as in make my round 1 or 2 at least a bit competitive, hoping to win maybe 1 set. But I seem to only get worse the more I practice. Just a month ago, I was firmly sitting in the 14.9-15.4 GSP range, but now im struggling to hit 13. I play Duck Hunt and he's my best character by far (have Ness and Wolf secondaries) but I can't seem to do good at all anymore.

I lose to players who I feel I should be beating, as they are so predictable and exploitable but I feel even though I know what they're gonna do but I can't properly avoid it. I constantly whiff moves I should be hitting, get destroyed by braindead spamming and never seem to be able to get out of disadvantage or maintain advantage. My problem could be I play on autopilot to much, but I see videos about it and they never seem to help. The specifics of what I feel that I struggle in is: Sheilding too much, playing without thinking or really trying to attack, getting flustered when playing, using laggy options when I know I can get easily punished, playing bad on specifically my 2nd stock, using tilts the wrong way and poor recognition of where I can and can't get hit.

One of the worst parts is that I get so mad when losing to people I know im better than. I play very emotionally (only online) and frequently "rage quit" after I lose right at the end. Im not an emotional person in any other part of my life but Smash bros really gets me mad.

I would really appreciate tips, good video/creators, or especially playing together, with helpful tips via the reddit chat feature.