The input is toward, down, down-toward + p even if you start from down-back instead of neutral.
In ST or SFA2, you have to input the dragon punch quite a bit faster than newer games to have it guaranteed to come out.
There is no shortcut for the input.
Against enemies with a fast jump arc and/or a jumping attack that hits low, trying to input a dragon punch on reaction can be difficult.
Generally, inputting from down-back is significantly slower than inputting from a neutral position.
One technique is buffering the motion without pressing punch. Then, if you see the enemy jump or do a punishable move, press p. Otherwise, do something else or just block.
If you want a higher chance of the dragon punch coming out more quickly as soon as you reach down-toward, input punch multiple times by double-tapping the strength you want or press all 3 buttons sequentially very fast in a ‘piano roll’ motion.
for some reason I keep getting higher errors trying to kick out the dragon punch when I am in a defensive crouch then if the stick is in the neutral position …
I can kick the dragon punch out say 4 out of 5 times if the stick is in a neutral position
I can only kick the dragon punch out say 1 out of 5 times if i am in a defensive crouch …
I need the defensive crouch … its murder if I go neutral stance facing the enemy …
