In training mode, most people practice combos and practice their execution. However I like to go a bit further. I like to set the computer on "All Guard" and practice strings as well. Even going a step further, I always gauge how far the string puts me, and think about my options after the string. I like to range out where a combo leaves me or where a string leaves me so that I know what my options are afterwards. I suppose what it really gets down to is that I like to know what I can setup in situations that I can control (such as guard strings, or after a knockdown or combo). Some of the first things that I do in training mode is a simple throw. Throws always leave you at the same distance no matter what, meaning that the range is a controlled state. By figuring out the ranges of throws, I can think about how to position myself to gain opportune advantage like safe jump ins or crossovers,
Testing things out against myself is a big thing too. In Cvs2 I would go into the training room, and use my own setups and strats against myself. By doing this, I saw what my opponent's options were and by doing so, learned what my most favorable options would be for the given situation. Similarly, I also like to copy a certain play-style that I'm losing to (or am having trouble with) and learn how to break it. For example say that I play a Dhalsim vs Ryu matchup quite a bit (I play Ryu) and am having a hard time learning how to deal with far zoning and pokes. I'll go into training mode and see what normals of mine beat out his, as well as how often (I don't want to be trading c.lp's for s.hp's!). I find that though this isn't neccesarilly as good as playing an actual person, it can give me a fairly strong foundation of how to go about learning how to beat play-styles that I'm not doing well in.
Training mode's true potential comes out when you begin to realize WHY exactly you are doing things. I think it's stupid for people to train when they don't even know what they're actually training for. Knowing how to do a combo is one thing, but knowing what exactly it will net you in the long run is playing with a much smarter mindset. For example, just as if I were to use a new character, I would like to figure out what all my normals do and what their ranges are so that I know what to use in certain situations such as anti'airing, or in space control/zoning situations. This kind of goes more along the lines of learning a newer character, however being aware of all your tools is key when learning in training mode.
Hopefully I can make a video out of this. But more importantly, I hope that it actually helps people
