What is Neutral?

Neutral is when players strive to gain the best possible position to optimize combos and mixups based on their character’s strengths and personal playstyle. Matches always start in neutral. Any time you’re far from your opponent and try to properly space, you're in neutral.

What is Spacing, Timing, and Avoiding the Corner?

Spacing is your position relative to your opponent. Different movies require specific spacing and timing due to hitboxes and cool down, or end lag. For example, if you use a medium-ranged move, you’ll want to ensure your opponent is the proper distance away. Otherwise, you’ll miss and they’ll punish you. Similarly, misspacing moves can lead to an easy punish if your opponent blocks.

The corner turns any player into combo food because they have one less movement option. They also stand in place when hit since their back is against the wall. Always aim to trap your opponent in the corner to limit their options and optimize damage.

What are Mind Games, Reads, Punishes, Conditioning, and Baiting?

Mind games are a psychological battle unfolding within the fight itself. Conditioning and baiting are key components of mind games. Conditioning is when you make your opponent react to your movements and attacks in desirable ways so you can read their next move and punish.

Reads are when you anticipate an opponent’s move and act accordingly to dodge and damage, or in other words, punish your opponent. Baiting is when you trick an opponent into using a certain attack or moving into a disadvantageous position. Baits typically lead to punishes.