I have been playing street fighter since the world warrior days and competitively since 2006. During this time, I've been playing many different fighters that I've come into contact with, and I believe I have a solid understanding of the game. What I've come to realize nowadays more than ever is that whenever I run into people that say they play said game really good, I've come to realize that they don't understand the core fundamentals of the game.
In the SFIV series specifically, the execution barrier isn't too high because Capcom makes it so that if you have issues performing directional inputs, you'd still pull off the move. Down-Forward, Down-Forward, + Any punch will result in a shoryuken, if you're any of the shoto characters. In my opinion, this was a bad move on Capcoms part. It basically gets you used to performing faulty execution.
Things of this nature does not exist in any other street fighter title...
Outside of this little help feature, there are misconceptions about the basis of this game. Capcom changed the game once again by adding the canceling feature also known as "focus attack dash cancel". As the name ensues, it cancels your focus attack into a dash, which will lead into other opportunities. Combo opportunities.
This is something that newer players don't understand. They think "omg, that combo was so long and cool and does a lot of damage". While that may be true to some degree, this is exactly the problem. People tend to think this is the focus of the game...
Thinking this way would encourage players to try to land a specific combo they've been practicing. Some go to great lengths to try to land this combo onto the opponent regardless or not what they do is the best decision. While each player has their own play style, it's apparent in the newer players.
You're probably a new or inexperienced player if you....
Jump in excessively
Spam/mash out moves on impulse
Wake up ultra when you have an ultra available
Wake up [insert special move/super here] on almost every knockdown
Press more than the required number of button presses. Also known as mashing
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There are so many factors but these are general ones. Now, if you fit into any of these 5 categories, you're probably a newer or inexperienced player. Becoming a better player is possible at any level of play, so the thing you have to do is understand what you do wrong and build upon it from the next time.
Zoning/Spacing
These mean basically the same thing. Zoning is basically controlling a set amount of space with any of your given moves. This term is a lot more complex than it actually sounds. It's so simple yet very misunderstood. You can only truly understand Zoning by experiencing it. Zoning is the core of all SF games. It translate to every street fighter game ever made. Some sf games is more zoning heavy than others. SFIV is one of them.
Lets go into zoning a little further. In this example we'll use the corner of the stage and both characters in this example will be Ryu and Ken. Ryu puts Ken in the corner with a HK Hurricane Kick. Now, when you're trapped in a corner, the 1st thing that pops into most players mind is to get out of the corner. Why? Because it's the worst possible position in the game.
Since you're in the corner, all Ryu has to do is adjust himself to the proper range of the screen by going back and foward to the point where he see's fit. Ryu can in theory do anything he wants to the opponent. That's not to say as that it will go unpunished. From this range, Ryu can use his great pokes to keep you at bay. If you try to jump out of the corner, you'll most likely eat a shoryuken, st.LK, c.HP, or s.MP. All these things can anti-air you and put you right back in the corner only for it to happen again.
Another huge factor that can be capitalized on is ambiguous cross-ups/acu. ACU's are very devastating because the opponent has to play the guessing game on which way he or she will be crossed up. The person performing the ACU will know which way he or she's going, but the opponent has to guess which way to block.
While this example may seem like it explains a lot, it really can only be captured through sheer experience...
I think I'm gonna call it a night for today's episode. Tune in to our facebook channel for updates, events, and all the jazz. See you guys next time! :P
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