EPT
When I want to practice, I want to play 20 games in a row of TvZ 5:30 roach rush versus 1 rax expand with 16 gas. Or 10 games of macro TvT on Daybreak bio vs mech. In short, very long and specific practice. I also am more than willing to return the favour.
Over a long period of time in SC2, I have only gotten the opportunity to really practice like this twice. Once probably a year ago where I played 30 games a day of Kas' 3 tank push in TvZ on Metalopolis for a weekend, and once a month or so ago where I played 15 games in a row of 1 rax expand in TvP vs 4 Gate Blink Obs (which is unbeatable I'm pretty sure.)
I don't know if I expect more out of my practice partners than is realistic though. I'm a highschool kid, who plays SC2 as long as there is no homework to be done. A lot of people have jobs, have to pay rent, go to college and have a part time job. None of us are progamers, and it is likely that none of us ever will. Yet this is the type of practice that I like, and that I want to do.
Practice clans periodically advertise themselves every few months saying how dedicated they will be. Being in the channel and available all day every day, so on and so forth. I have even tried organizing a group like this, but there is a problem. No-one does it. The channels lie empty, and it is frustrating to try and practice with someone who you clearly outclass, or for them if they completely outclass you.
The Practice Partner thread is rubbish. No-one is online, and I have never had a truly dedicated practice partner from there. Perhaps it is luck of the draw?
Ladder opponents, well, they want to ladder. If you ask for help, you get a few short words on what you could have done better, and off to another game they go. You might get 1 or 2 games, but it never lasts long.
A team is great, however it is not all rosebushes and flower petals. During clan wars or team leagues, the person playing is in the muted channel on ventrilo while the rest critique him. This is no help for the person playing, because he gets none of the feedback, and once the game has been played the next one has to go so actually talking to the player gets thrown to the wayside. Team practice is no commitment, people can choose to not go, or to just continue to ladder or do a playhem or something.
The worst thing, and that which is completely out of my control (hah, as if any of the rest of it was within my control somehow) is when you get someone who is willing to play as many games as you... but you destroy him 20 games in a row, or he destroys you 20 games in a row. The person executing the mauling learns nothing, while it is great for the weaker player, the practice is only 50% effective.
Which is one of the reasons why a lot of people do not want to constantly do the same build or strategy for someone elses benefit. They don't learn anything from it, what's in it for them? How can I convince them that what I offer in return is worth their time?
I don't know, I know I should just continue laddering, as that is the most consistent way to find an evenly matched opponent repeatedly.
