How do you overcome a "rough patch"?

[Captain Qwark]

I've been playing total 7-8 weeks, and in that time accumulated short of 200 hours. I watch a fair bit of WarOwl to learn the basics, and have a high rank friend mentor me when he can.

In this time, I got ranked Gold Nova I, and managed to carry myself (occasionally with friend) all the way up to Gold Nova Master. Most games I would top frag, if not second/third at the least. I felt like I was improving tremendously and was on my way to Master Guardian.

The second I ranked to GNM, I've lost all game sense - I still have my economy tactics, but I seem to miss every easy shot, always have bad positioning, etc. I obviously hit a rough patch after a few weeks of solid improvement.. It got so bad I've deranked down to Gold Nova III, in which all the loses were 100% my fault (some games going 10-25 for example) while teammates performed as they should.

How do you guys get back in the "zone"? I tried smashing expert bots on DM for a bit of HS practice, and seeing how many out of 100 I can get on training_aim_csgo2 but once in-game, I scrub hard

[d!ChT]

Stop playing for some days. Just chill a bit and dont play "try hard" try to do some games just for fun. Dont go full have more fun enjoy the game the rest comes from allone ;-)

[Captain Qwark]

Good advice. I'm a bit hesistant to give the game a break just in the sense that when I was first learning, I took a two day break and my aim "progress" took a big dive. Might be a good idea to even play some casual for a bit and just practice different positions

[10.tacle^^]

can agree with that.
Personally I am not able to play from Monday to Thursday because of private reasons. So you could tell I'm a weekend-only-player. When I get home on Fridays, and start my first match in the evenings, I feel my performance is much better than on Saturdays and Sundays. I feel this regular breaks actually kind of recharge my game sense or whatever you call it.

Might be my imagination only tho.

[Captain Qwark]

Thanks for your input x3s. That does interest me that both of you have said taking a break helps. I'll definitely consider taking a bit of a break if I can't get my 'mojo' back.

Do either of you "warm up" before jumping into competitive matches at all? I try to do a little (quick Deathmatch with bots, bit of aim map training) however I've never felt like it helps

[d!ChT]

Originally posted by Hoonsy:

Thanks for your input x3s. That does interest me that both of you have said taking a break helps. I'll definitely consider taking a bit of a break if I can't get my 'mojo' back.

Do either of you "warm up" before jumping into competitive matches at all? I try to do a little (quick Deathmatch with bots, bit of aim map training) however I've never felt like it helps

OK the most will hate me but i love to play a smurf mach before playing MM ;-)
I have a Nova1 or so and i play pistol only or so. Thats a good way to get warm and not to focus to much on the game.

To the rest i would still say it is the fun part. If i take a breake i look forward to play CS. I cant wait till friday and start playing and i am way better. If i play the weekend all day long i see sundays i like to play but the fun have gone and i start playing loosy. For me is fun everything in the game. If i can laugh while playing i always play better ;-)

[10.tacle^^]

Originally posted by Hoonsy:

Do either of you "warm up" before jumping into competitive matches at all? I try to do a little (quick Deathmatch with bots, bit of aim map training) however I've never felt like it helps

Nah, not rly. I prefer cold starts. Well mostly. But I think thats personal preference.

[Arbuz]

For me usually breaks from competitive helps. While taking break I play only casual to mess around & chill.