After working on my execution for some weeks now I think I have reached a point where I can say that I know HOW to execute my combos. But I don’t know WHEN to do them. I find myself constantly pressured by opponents attacks so I’m forced to block all time. How do I find out when to attack? Is it all about knowing the frame Data and having experience to find a gap for my jab to start a block string?
It’s experience. Just play online and try stuff and take note of what works. It’s partially a matchup thing too, so noting what moves each character does that gives you the chance for a counter will help you against them in the future.
If your opponents are jump happy (and being online, I imagine most are) learning to Anti-air consistently will yield a TON of opportunities to start going in. Otherwise it’s a matter of getting comfortable with your buttons, spacing and the various matchups.
Yep what these guys said. It’s just a matter of trying stuff and seeing what works and doesn’t through trial and error.
It’s also the case that comboing isn’t necessary to win. Using your long range buttons you can eke out steady damage if you’re patient and observant.
That’s what I like so much about Momochis game. Just using his buttons he bringst his opponent constantly down in life. Very impressive. That’s the kind of game I want to play.
Basically, one of the following ways tends to work:
- walking forward. Generally done when you’ve taught an opponent not to push buttons in the midrange, otherwise you’ll just eat damage in the process.
- whiff punishing. If you notice that an opponent tends to push certain buttons at a certain range, wait just outside the range of that button, let them to push it, and punish the recovery on whiff.
- using a forward moving attack (step kick etc)
- jumping. Easy to react to compared to a lot of the things here, so generally done if you expect your opponent to do something with long recovery(fireballs/specials usually), but it works occasionally
Once you’re in, focus on keeping safe pressure to land damage. I wrote a couple of my thoughts on the topic [here](How do you attack effectively? (beginner) which I think give a good starting point for developing your own mix-ups and offense. From the conversation here I’m assuming you’re playing Ken here: he’s very good at the things I talk about in that post thanks to his kara-throw and easy confirms from c.LK > c.LP.
Also, you should throw people. A lot. Throws are good.
Thanks for the Link Naeras. Good info there. I know I just need practice. As the OP of the link said: I wish i didnt stop playing SF 2 on SNES when I was younger. Would have saved me from getting boddied now 