Quick questions

First of all, I know I'm not just automatically a member when I join forums. So I was wondering how I join?

Second, I want to start battling gym leaders right away, but between battles on WiFi and testing out teams on Pokemon Showdown, i know I'm still pretty inexperienced and both my teams and I have a lot to work on. And trust me, when I say a lot, I mean a lot.  I know there's a place I can go to rate teams, both on here and Smogon, and i've picked up quite a lot from watching the tournaments on the Youtube Channel, but I wanted to know if there's anywhere specifically I can go to battle someone and have someone give me pointers based on that battle? I want to learn so that I can have fun battling, and maybe actually get up the courage to challenge a gym leader.

Which, speaking of, brings up my final question. How do I challenge a gym leader? is there a specific forum I can go to?

Thanks!

First, when you join the forums and/or main site you automaticly become a member.

Second, you can go to either Pokemon Showdown for quick practise battles or just go to www.thesilverleague.com and join the ambercrest chat, I'm sure there will be tons of people up for a battle there.

Third, you battle the gym leaders by requesting a battle when you see they're open on the ambercrest chat.

Hope this helps.