Hey Dan!!
Great Post!! You covered up pretty much all you'd need to know about flamingo.

I think the most important skill to learn with flamingo is using the moves that initiate flamingo at the right time. Moves like df+p, k and b+k are great attacks, but you can't just spam them all the time. I think the flamingo starting moves are the most dangerous and punishable part of using flamingo.

You have to be smart and watch what your opponents doing. If they like to sidestep a lot, I'd avoid using b+k or b+p+k as much as I normally would. I might delay them once in a while, but I'd rather use throws or sweeps or the half circular df+p.

Hmm my breaks at work are over, so i'll finish this post later.

Thats right on the money. Plus thats why I can only really end up using moves that can cancel into FL. Those two other options are way too predictable although they might be more safe.

One use I found for the FL evade kick cancel:

(FL) u/d+p+k(g)

Since the move evades followed by a circular mid kick, the opponent will block high once they begin to recognize it. Do the evade, guard cancel, follow with a FL throw. Since they are blocking high in anticipation of the kick, they will get thrown instead. You can even do the d+k hit throw if you like.

Thank you for the tip, but I think Im going to move to using vanessa as my back up than fl queen.

STL Tim (since I can't remember how to spell his user name worth my life) has noted that canceled FL evade attack can dodge all sorts of random things including wake up kicks. We all have to try that more now guys.

I'm still gathering stuff for FL/STEP but I've come at a peak without the aid of a PS3 (which I don't have) so I hope PS3 owners can fill and also possibly correct things.

Unsafe_Dan-
When I get some freetime this weekend I will test out all the positions a mid rising attacker can do from knockdown vs. Flamingo 8_2P+K and Flamingo 8_2P+KG-Cancel. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say some should be very clean on body positions and others might be more of a percise timing issue. I'll post up when completed.

Peace^-^

After experimenting with vs rising attacks with flamingo I have found that most have a very specific timing. The timing is the same as trying to relaunch the opponent. Either you can get the Flam 2_8P+K and go for a guess after hit or take the risk of relaunching instead of using flamingo. I myself would rather take the relaunch chance than a small hit with a guessing game. However, there is still some vs rising situations that give you a bigger window of chance to get Flam 2_8P+K. These bigger windows are the ones that are already evadeable to one side from the start, so no big suprise there. The choice is up to you. I recommend looking at your vs characters rising attacks and you will see where the window is bigger and where the timing is tight.

Good way to start your Flam2_8P+K training might be:
P+G,dash in 4K and wait and watch for the rising.
For situations that seem too hard try:
33K for relaunch. This will take some practice since it's a very small window, but imho worth the training if you find the timing. Perhaps you just want to block instead. Did you know some laying postions from a mid rising attacker net you +15 for a delay roll/back roll or +6 for a stationery one on block? Hope that helps out a little for you guys. Please post up more and discuss, thanks.

Goodluck with your training everyone.
Peace^_^

I never used the step stance before.

I really don't see a purpose to the step other than the confuse your opponents and to pull it off so that people can go "Zomg wtf did he/she just do???"

Seems like novelty to me....

In the overall sense you are probably right, however there are some things from STEP that are useful like a 14 frame mid kick starting string that has an ender that crumples. You also get a really good circular kick and the low kick JF combo.

Still kind of flash and surprise.