Hey guys. I’ve been struggling with some bad habits ever since I started learning SF4 a few months ago.
After watching some recent replays, I noticed that I have a bad habit of pressing random buttons during my opponents block-string. I guess the reason I do that is so I can land a counter-hit, but most of the time it fails, and they stuff my attack and I get hit instead. What should I be doing exactly during a block-string? Only trying to crouch-tech? But if I crouch-tech, then I can get hit as well… So I really don’t know what the right approach is.
Another thing I struggle with is that, I use Evil Ryu, and I have a terrible habit of hitting FADC before knowing if I hit-confirmed the low-forward xx fireball. How can I alleviate this problem? Should I go into training mode, set the dummy to “random block” and just practice using that? Does that actually help? Thanks guys!
Stop hitting random buttons in block strings, period. No opponent worth much will get hit by “random buttons” when they’re pressuring you. If you must hit buttons, find the right buttons to hit. In this game, that’s almost always a light button. Trying to counterhit someone while you are being pressured with any button you feel like is just asking to get counterhit yourself.
As for what you should actually be doing, there is frankly, no one answer. Opponents will do different things. Maybe they’ll tick throw you. Maybe they’ll do a counterhit setup on you. Maybe they’ll do two jabs and then block. Maybe they’ll do three jabs and kara throw. Maybe they’ll do three jabs and overhead you.
You get the picture. It’s up to you to find out what your opponent’s preferences are and counter them accordingly.
In general though, just blocking or backdashing is usually ok for a “first” pressure situation, but your opponent will adapt, and it’s up to you to adapt with him.
Yes. It does.
After that, try doing it in real matches. Don’t mindlessly FADC, wait for the confirm, in a real match.
Oh wow, that makes a lot of sense. Hm… So you’re saying that it is best to avoid hitting random buttons during a block-string, but if I feel like I have an opening, then you’re saying that the only buttons I should use are light buttons because of their almost instant startup? Do I understand that so far?
Right. Because the situation always varies. Each opponent has a distinct playstyle so it’s up to me to figure out their patterns and respond accordingly. Makes sense.
Cool, thanks! Is the reason why I’m FADCing before the hit-confirm because my mind just hasn’t built up the necessary reaction-timing that is required? I really hope if I spend about an hour or two a day practicing this, that my reactions will improve. It’s really something that’s hindering me.
To practice hit confirming I set the practice dummy to auto block. This way it will block once I drop the combo and I can repeat the combo at a faster (or slower) rate. Then I can confirm that I am doing it correctly and repeat it over and over untill my hands and mind know the timing perfectly.
I say “(or slower) rate” because some combos require you to link normals instead of chaining. Linking is performing slower normals instead of just spamming them fast (chaining).
Once you feel comfortable with the timing (on both sides of the stage) then you can set the dummy to “random block” setting to really test yourself and practice. But I really suggest setting the dummy to “Auto Block” first and foremost. If your execution of the said combo is completely terrible then set it to “Always Block” just to understand the button pressing sequence. This way you can just spam the buttons at the dummy without knocking him down over and over.
Sounds like you should give training mode a shot man. I used to have a lot of similar bad habits in the dreamcast days. My poor dreamcast joystick. Anyway training mode can definitely help you get over those bad habits. Pressing shit when I knew it was not the time to press buttons got me for so long
