I don't see having a chip on one's shoulder as something helpful... Infact, most times it can hinder and make someone lose focus because they have such a grudge against this person or that person that they overwork themselves, instead of just being focus (which can be done with or without the grudge). One can be determined to prove people wrong about their skill level or winning a tourney (or placing high), but that doesn't have to involve grudges of any kind... And in some cases, having a chip on one's shoulder could lead to cockiness which could also result in laxation depending on the person (Michael Jordan was so cocky at one point in his career he didn't think he could get crossed up by Allen Iverson, but did -- and very badly)...
I agree with the need to travel, but why "construct skyscrapers in other countries when there's not even a hut in our own"??? What I mean is that the general consensus from what I read and hear is that when it comes to skill level and KoF in the states, we're weak overall (like you won't see us crushing dudes in Japan or Hong Kong, etc. in high level tourneys). If you're in the states, and you've got a console with KoF and some sticks (or pads) and there's someone with at least an inkling of KoF knowledge that's near other cats that are interested in the game, why not start building there??? It might take some time, but all things take time to grow (babies, level of knowledge, annuity accounts, etc). You can't expect to hop in a dojo and come out a black belt in a week. Even with high standards, a sifu will still take time to train up even the most difficult students, albeit in a strict manner, but there's still training done... Once that time and care has been put into the scene to where they're competitive, then traveling to tourneys would be cool. I mean even while the scene is being built, traveling would be good for the sheer fact that you can see how other cats play, and you can see what character is strong in that particular region - the learning experience would be beneficial... Leaving a comfort zone can be as simple as hooking up with a cat across the street to play KoF instead of on xbl/psn...
I agree with what you say, everything has to be done with balance. I hold a chip on my shoulder because I always remember everything people said since the 1st time I even set foot, and I always use it as motivation to crush my opponents in matches. With that being said, I do not allow it to cloud my vision unless that person is still running their mouth, then as far as I am concerned now, then it becomes personal. I am at my best when I have extra motivation (people talking smack before something etc etc.). I play to win always, and win decisively, but if it's personal, then I play to embarrass, thats what extra motivation can do. Take a look at sports, teams try to refuse saying anything negatively about an opponent for the most part prior to a match because they know that extra bit of motivation could prove to be their undoing.
That is what I am talking about.
I also agree with the sifu training the toughest of opponents and people starting here. I am glad to see some progress with KOF tournaments happening in the North on a consistent basis, that is a start, but I feel more locals need to happen as well. In Mexico for example local tournaments in DF would happen every 1-2 weeks, that is the type of dedication that is going to be required to get at a particular level.
Now for example with the example of me w/MightyMar, it is time for him to train and get that experience in tournaments he needs, I cannot give that to him simply playing casuals, it is a different environment period. It is different playing in casuals when you know you have 20 more matches vs. in a tournament when you only have two! This experience overall MightyMar needs and he has to get it in order to get to that next level in regards to skill! So he can get that in his area in Chicago/The North now, and that will make him even stronger than he is now!
Now also in regards to going to other countries, that's a catch 22 in regards to what you said IMHO.
If someone wants to level up FASTER, I say they travel to another country, esp since we all know overall the USA is very, very weak, so if you wanna get much stronger I say train in another country.
I understand people have to build up their confidence, but if they can build up their confidence in another country like Mexico etc, then they will be very very very very far ahead of the people trying to do the same thing in the USA simply because of the higher level of skill!
It would be like if someone learning basketball played with people like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose all the time (playing in Mexico/Japan/China/Korea/Taiwan/Peru/Brazil etc) vs. someone playing with their neighborhood basketball player that hasn't played basketball in years and could hardly be considered a pro.
Which one is going to teach the player faster?
Which one is also going to weed out the NON-SERIOUS PLAYERS FASTER?
Very very key is the second one, you want to weed out the people that are going to waste your time as quickly as possible, thus I make sure when I am training someone HARDCORE, I put them through boot camp all the time, in other words I want to make sure they are serious and not wasting my time, if they are a dabbler/timewaster then they will proceed to leave or quit.
Also training with the wrong people or those that are very low level can teach people BAD HABITS, and that is another problem, they learn bad habits due to playing low level of play, and then in a tournament or against someone that doesn't do those bad habits, they punish them quickly!!!
Example: It's like learning how to shoot a gun from your country friends or a gangbanger
vs. learning how to shoot a GUN FROM A UNITED STATES MARINE!World of a difference!!!!!!!!