VF4 [ print friendly ] [ command view ] Minami Step Analysis of Doom!
What is your favorite step? Even though you don't like Akira and
nor play as him, you probably have heard about the Minami step
which made Minami Akira one of most famous Akira players in Japan.
(Actually, the name Minami had been famous way before Minami Akira
due to the Kage player in a bit different passion. Oh, well)
What I realized while studying the step was the step alone doesn't
improve your Akira skill as much as you want. In order to the step
to be effective, you will need solid understanding of the game, a
good fuzzy guarding skill, and most importantly, lots of practices.
(well, what doesn't need practices?)
Now, making the intro short, I will start the analysis.
1. Basic.
As the basics of Minami steps, you need these 2
steps.
(hold) , then neutral
The essence of the step comes from these two, and applications of
those is the reason why his step looks and works different from the
others players'.
[Hold] , neutal is used to get closer to opponents
when opponents have advantages.
Here, normally other Akira players use to cancle the
step, but it leaves Akira just standing there.
On the other hand, Minami does [hold] then neutral.
It actually has some meanings in it.
First of all, the motion looks unusual. If it is done right,
in the opponents point of view, it seems like Akira is cancling
crouch dashes twice. But, Akira doesn't come as close to the
opponent as when two crouch dashes are cancled. The opponent gets
suprised.
In the situation above, + or , is what
Minami does.
The purpose of the step is makeing opponents confused and not know
what to do for a short period of time. Moreover, if opponents try
to use standing for poking, due to the timing of the step, the
punch will whiff, and Akira will be standing right afterward. If
opponents try to do low attacks, there is a timing Akira can easily
block it. (If you try out the step, you will be able to see it)
When Akira uses this, opponents will have hard time
doing fuzzy guard while going back. In order to deal with the step,
the opponent has to use mid attacks quickly. Therefore, it works
well against the players who play defensively. The mid attacks
opponents do can be guarded with experience. (You need some fuzzy
guard skill here , and Minami guards it well.)
is good in a close and mid distiance. This
one is like a sword with two sides.
If you do it in a wrong situation, you can get hit while going
backward. This step helps you to retreat about 0.5 inches. If you
get used to doing it and use it properly, in a close distance, you
can provoke your opponent's elbows and make it whiff.
2. More in depth.
Minami wonders around the ring but attacks well while
doesn't get hit much. Does Minami uses step all the time? The
answer is no. Minami doesn't use the steps in a very close
distance. These are the situations, when Minami doesn't use the
steps much.
-Disadvataged situations.
Rather than using his step, In a mid distance( the distace where
s can reach.), Minami does fuzzy guard very quickly to get
out of situation. He rarely
uses the opposite nitaku in disadvantaged situations, and if he
sees opponents coming toward him, he uses fast attacks such as
standing or to interupt attacks.
and then, when he sees an opening, he retreats with
[neutral] or .
After that, when he gets suitable distance or the opponent's
adavantage has gone, he uses his steps to make the game in his
pace.
3. Utilization.
If the basic two steps are mastered, you can apply it in a real
battle. You need to practice it to be able to use it
apporopriately. Not to mention. recognizing opponents pattern and
the space is very important.
: In a mid distance, when opponents are more focusing on defense
than offense.
Things you can do after the step: Throw or standing to get
initiative.
: while crouch forward dashing, retreat a bit to see what your
opponent does.
(n)+
: Throw when your opponent got froze.
(n)+
: Variation of throw
: when the opponent try to poke or somethig.
: To keep more pressure on the opponent
: crouch dash forward while backdashing.
: to retreate long distance.
: Going back and forth.
: Keep retreating defensively.
: Dashing forward
:Forward dashing into a backdash
4. Application.
Here is the real battle applications.
In an elbow distance:
(n)+
In the distance which DE can reach the opponent
:(quickly)(n)
In a disadvantaged situation. (When you are being attacked by an
elbow or something)
:Quick fuzzy guarding. When Minami sees the opponent coming toward
him, he uses a fast attack(mainly punches) to interupt.
And then, when there is an opening, retreat by using (n)
or
In a mid range with adavantage,
(SDE)
Coming toward the opponent with slight advantages.
(DE)
-> It will make the attack a bit delayed for creating of
confusion.
In a close or mid range with an uncertain situation.
(n)
-> Minami hardly use a low punch if there is a mid range
distance between him and opponent.
In a long distance, when both playes use step to find an opening.
(n)++
-> While spacing, Minami uses ++ which is safe and
sabakies low punch.
In a mid range with slight advanges.
(n). Fuzzy guard
Get more safe while doing steps With the fuzzy guard at the end,
and move freely afterward.
: Use of defensive . (I.e against Shun)
: simply showing off
: again simply for showing off. He does it after rounds.
5.After notes.
:Even though, I am posting this for the purpose of sharing infor
with VFDC members, this doesn't mean
I can do all the steps. I think my left hand may need a repair for
this. Even
though it wouldn't be myself, but It would be still great to see
people on this site master the step and use it freely at gatherings
since now infors are out here. I encourage you to try this steps
out since eventhough you don't get all of them, it is still useful
in many ways.
Thank you Hakbumo Akira for providing information, and if you have
comments or question, feel free to post here or PM me.
Posted by
maddy
on 25/08/2003
|
Edited by
Myke
on 16/04/2005
|
|