How do I get better at execution?

[RESIST AUTHORITY]

People say that they're bad at the game and the response they receive is to just keep playing, but I can't even play. I've been practicing for hours and I just can't do the moves. I put in the buttons and the move just doesn't come out. I can't even do the challenge mode for Ryu. At this point, the only things I can do are hadokens, shoryukens and if I get lucky, metsu hadokens. The combo challenges in the training mode, even the most basic one (2x crouching M punch, crouching H kick) are damn near impossible for me. Can I have advice on how to get better at actually doing the moves?

[Scrub McGrub]

what are you playing on? pad? fightstick? keyboard?

also for combo timing... look up how to plink, that will make them much easier for you. It's all a matter of timing, you can't mash on buttons

[RESIST AUTHORITY]

PS4 pad

[Qai]

If you are getting lucky with metsu hadokens, then your input is too slow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIPXlQG1Yt8

[Cipher Esteria]

1.Use the normal Buttonlayout.
2.The best way to perform circle moves is to use the analog stick.Moves with Shoryuken Motion easiest with the Arrows,also is blocking easier with the Arrows.
3.Know the Framedatas of your Charakter,the best way to succes online is to play a Shoto alla Ryu.He is also perfect for beginners,easy and high damaging combos,footsies usw.
Framedatas can be found in the SRK Forums.
Here is a link:http://wiki.shoryuken.com/Ultra_Street_Fighter_IV
Just pick you charakter and lear the datas it will help you.

[Mapo]

Also search the internet for street fighter 4 shortcuts on moves, for example shoryuken instead of Forward, Down, Down Forward can come out from DF, DF, punch.

[Mapo]

Those challenges that say crouch medium x 2 to hard are propably the hardest for new player because you have to "link" the moves which requires strickt timing on pressing the button. Search Youtube for Vesper Arcade Street fighter 4 tutorial to see the theory of the game and start practising.

[J.N.]

The challenge mode is actually not very good for teaching new players how to play. Most of the combos in there are not basic at all. Sadly, many new players don't realize this, thinking long combos are what you need to learn to get started.

What you're trying to do is something timing-based, not really dexterity-based. Newbies should work on simple combos training their dexterity before they learn game- and character-specific combo timings; working on these combos will give you great dexterity and a solid foundation in EVERY 2-D arcade fighting game.

The only Ryu combos you need to start off with are:

On hit:
- cr.MK xx H/EX Hadouken (offensive pressure/space control)
- cr.MK xx H/EX Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku (corner carry)
- cr. LK, cr.LP, cr.MP xx H/EX Shoryuuken (good damage combo that hits low/punish on moves with shorter/moderate recovery)
- cr.LK, cr.LP, cr. MP xx H/EX Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku (corner carry combo that hits low/punish on moves with shorter/moderate recovery)
- close HP xx H Shoryuuken (big punish on moves with longer recovery)
- LP Shoryuuken (anti-air) > EX Hadouken (juggle).
- LP Shoryuuken (anti-air) > Shinkuu Hadouken (juggle).
- LP Shoryuuken (anti-air) > Metsu Hadouken (juggle).
- cr.MK xx Hadouken xx Shinkuu Hadouken (offensive pressure/space control/big damage)
- j.MK/HK, cl.HP xx H/EX Shoryuuken (big damage)
- j.MK/HK, cl.HP xx H/EX Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku (corner carry)
- j.MK/HK, Metsu Hadouken/Metsu Shoryuuken
Use j.MK for cross-ups. j.HK for non-cross-ups.

On block:
- cr.MK xx Hadouken
- cr. LK xx cr.LP xx cr.LP, cr.MK xx Hadouken [mix up with cr. MK from time-to-time]
Attacks must be chained (cancel recovery frames), except for cr.MK
- close HP xx Hadouken

Corner
- cr.MK/close HP xx EX Hadouken/EX Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku, Metsu Hadouken (big damage)

These are combos, but you only want to use them when the opportunity presents itself; exception is cr.MK xx Hadouken which can be done almost with impunity. You want to setup the opportunity by using your character's normal moves to intimidate/control your opponent to be susceptible to your combos.

EDIT: Changed low combo string to an easier string.

[SLIMEBAG093R]

Just practice pro player have been playin thier character for years i mean like 3 and 4 years in most cases, ppl think they are good cuz they body noobs online.Please just maybe invest in buying a fair fightstick there not tht pricey these dayz i think if you type in evo2014 u can get 2 of either really good fightsticks for 79.99 with code thts like 50 off plus the sticks are really good.Still though having a good stick wont make you godlike just practice try to stay offline at 1st asmuch as possible you will develop bad habits they real training is just in training mode and knowing your characters frame data and learn the basics 1st ,footsies and how to control ur spacing its prob the single most important thing you will ever learn in fighting games and you will getta lot of milage out of that alone.But just stay in the lab and master 1 character inside and out try to pick a character whos decent kens really solid but pick who you like just stick with him or her and just enjoy what your playin .Dont take it so serious it will come sooner to others but this game has many aspects the mindgames etc theres just somuch but dont giveup .Please dont choose a keyboard to play this game on thats ridiculous jus imo but try to either getta fair stick or better pad execution ona pad is ez for sum but i grewup in arcades so stick jus feels natural for fighters and not to mention inputs actually comeout.

[Heroxoot]

Play 3rd strike. Then play KoF13. The differences in strictness will make SF4 seem like the easiest fighter around.

[JELIFISH]

TheOtherJN got it right. Keep it simple until you're ready to add more complex things into your gameplan. You don't need execution at low levels.

[RESIST AUTHORITY]

Lots of good info here, everybody. Thanks for helping me out.

[Foto]

To avoid information overflow when learning fighting games, try these steps:

1.Learn the normals- almost every button has its use, find out on shoryuken forum)
2.Learn the specials- basic properties, difference between normal and EX, how UNSAFE it is, yes don't try to learn how safe it is, think of special move a committment that you will pay if you mess it up).
3.Learn simple punishes- HPxxH Shoryuken is a perfect example for Ryu. If you can't do that / you hate using that combo for whatever reason, try something else. It sounds detrimental but you learn more by losing than winning on your first 500 or so matches. If you aren't even happy with your character smashing faces then what's the point of playing games?
4.Don't Jump
5.Don't Jump
6.Stay cool.
Remember, if experienced players attempt to troll you, they gain nothing (even their bp/pp e-peen) but every fight is a lesson for you. You gain knowledge from a match, you win.

[Qai]

Postat inițial de ParodiK:

To avoid information overflow when learning fighting games, try these steps:

1.Learn the normals- almost every button has its use, find out on shoryuken forum)
2.Learn the specials- basic properties, difference between normal and EX, how UNSAFE it is, yes don't try to learn how safe it is, think of special move a committment that you will pay if you mess it up).
3.Learn simple punishes- HPxxH Shoryuken is a perfect example for Ryu. If you can't do that / you hate using that combo for whatever reason, try something else. It sounds detrimental but you learn more by losing than winning on your first 500 or so matches. If you aren't even happy with your character smashing faces then what's the point of playing games?
4.Don't Jump
5.Don't Jump
6.Stay cool.
Remember, if experienced players attempt to troll you, they gain nothing (even their bp/pp e-peen) but every fight is a lesson for you. You gain knowledge from a match, you win.

This is a really good list. I would only add to it in between 2 and 3: block. If in doubt, just block. Don't try to follow-up immediately or do something fancy. Just block and quickly evaluate what just happened. See if you can bait an attack where the next time around you don't need to block but rather counter-attack / punish.

There are blocking techniques you'll pick up on eventually, for example, high vs low blocks. These will come naturally over time. Just be a bit cautious that overblocking also makes you a bit susceptible to an opponent just walking up and throwing if they know you wont do anything. But getting into the habit early on to use your blocks effectively will go a long way.