Techniques: Cornering Your Opponent

Corners are an aspect of fighting games which defines the 'edges' of the arena/stage/level, whether visible or not. Cornering is the act of getting your opponent into said corners i.e. with his or her back against the wall. In most recorded fighting programmes (for example Mixed Martial Arts, boxing) having your back to the corner is generally where you don't want to be as it limits your movements and makes you more predictable. For Abel, a pressure, in-your-face, close combat fighter, getting an opponent in a corner can reap great benefits. So, how do you corner an opponent with Abel?

The easiest way to do this is to be perceived as an immense threat up close. Think of Zangief, who everyone wants to keep away at all times. With enough work, Zangief will eventually work anyone into the corner. Abel is not as life threatening up close but you have some great mix-ups and damage. Just work your way in slowly and as they back up, they'll realise they have no where else to go. Step Kick pressure is also surprisingly good at pushing opponent's into a corner, especially if they like to jump back to avoid Tornado Throw ticks or what not.

I'm not sure if this is an actual gameplay design for Abel, but if you notice almost all of Abel's moves, when used defensively, put your opponent in the corner. CoD, Falling Sky and TT throw your opponents behind the direction Abel is facing. If you yourself are near the corner (and with Abel's relatively sub par defense, you will be at some stage), landing one of these moves suddenly flips the match in your favor. There's no worse place to be than grounded in the corner. Notice too that his roll gets him behind an opponent; a successful roll out of the corner suddenly puts him in the corner and you out of it.

Another thing I like to use is to use Abel's dash to push opponents into a corner. His dash is one of the fastest and furthest in the game which allows you to dash maybe 2-3 times and push him/her a significant distance. With Abel's capabilities at close range, this sets up for wake-up pressure or as bait for reversals and empty jumps.