You know what they say, it isn’t about how you got knocked down, it is about how you get back up. Okizeme (Oki) is the ‘wake up’ or knockdown game in the FGC. Effectively pressuring your opponent while they recover from a knockdown is the key to a strong Oki. Here's everything you need to know to play a better wake-up game.

What is Okizeme?

Every player has a few options while an opponent recovers from the ground. A concept that comes into play over and over again when delving deeper into Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate or any traditional fighting game is reads. Experienced players understand the variety of options characters can take, enabling them to anticipate their opponent’s movements. Rolls, wake-up attacks, stand-ups, etc. create a game of cat and mouse reactions and adaptations that make the genre more exciting.

Okizeme Example

Let’s use Liu Kang as an example. He can either use a ‘wake up’ attack, roll, stand up, delayed wake-ups, or even a wake-up counter. Every option for the player on the ground can be countered by the person on offense and vice versa, making Oki a guessing game based on mix-ups, conditioning, and habits.

Let’s take a look at SHAAR’s showcase of every wake-up attack prior to the Ultimate update.

How to Okizeme

It’s a matter of knowing your options and understanding your opponent’s tendencies. Rolls might be far more effective on one opponent, while delayed wake-up attacks might work better on a different person. Always keep an eye on both players’ meters to know if they have extra options available.

How to Improve Okizeme

The best advice anyone can give you is to try not to be predictable. There’s nothing more frustrating than an opponent that outplays you to the point where you can no longer press buttons or play the game you want to play.

What is Ukemi or Teching

Ukemi or teching is when you prevent a knockdown in various fighting games with a well-timed button press the moment you hit the floor. Successful Ukemis keep you on your feet and out of disadvantage, assuming your opponent didn’t anticipate your tech. Switching up your techs is just another way to mix-up your options and keep your opponent guessing.

What is a Meaty

Meaty is when you hit the opponent during the last few active frames of your move. They’re typically performed when the opponent wakes up. The other player receives the same amount of hit stun, but you can act out of your last move faster, allowing you to string together moves that normally might not combo due to slower frame data. It also increases your mix-up options since more of a character’s kit is at your disposal.

Here’s an in-depth guide from MK expert Nickopz showing the Oki and meaty in action.

How to Practice Oki, Ukemi, and Meaty

• First: Familiarize yourself with all of your character's options on the ground in training mode.
• Second: Play with a friend or training partner online and lab different knockdown/wake-up scenarios.
• Third: Take the fight online in ranked or the Open Series to put it all together in actual matches.