Help! I can't short-hop.

[Nurse Violet]

This is a straightforward, but somewhat frustrating problem, and I know it is the biggest thing holding me back from improving. I simply can not short hop consistently. It takes me so much concentration to do so, that when I succeed, I can not transition into my next input (usually, as a Pikachu main, this should be a nair shffl or an up-air shffl). Does anyone have advice to help me improve my short-hopping ability? I know that I have to barely tap the jump button, but my hands just struggle with it.

 

[Sutekh]

Pikachu is tied for the shortest jump squat, so it's going to be harder to do with Pikachu than any other character (Other than the characters he's tied with of course). But there's no secret method, you just have to practice to get more consistent with it. Some people will try to clip the corner of the button to make it a little easier, but honestly, focused and consistent practice is the only thing that will help you get over your issue. Switching to a character with a longer jumpsquat (like Marth) for a short time could help you get used to getting it with a less strict timing, and might make it easier to transition to Pikachu's.

 

[-ACE-]

You can kind of scrape the X button with a quick downward swipe, where you only hit the bottom of it. Or just practice tapping it and letting go asap with Fox until you have it. Having speed is virtually necessary to success in melee. It is possible to train yourself to be faster with time and focus. Hopefully it won't take you long for it to become second nature.

 

[Sutekh]

Fox and Pikachu have the same jump squat, so practicing with Fox would be exactly the same as just sticking with his main.

 

[EPsilon933]

The secret method is flicking the bottom edge of the X button with your thumbnail. Truly 100% consistency

 

[Dolla Pills]

I couldn't short hop consistently with Fox about a year ago, so I just put in a second controller and tried to short hop for like half an hour. After a few sessions and another couple weeks of in match practice I was good

 

[Fyrefox]

Practice it regularly; in training mode, or which ever you prefer, just sit there and short hop. When I played Fox, I had the same problem. Whenever I meant to short hop I would full hop, usually resulting in me getting punished...after about a weeks worth or so of consistent practice, I eventually made progress to the point where I could short hop effectively in battles pretty effectively. Try moving around and short hopping as well, it helps!

 

[GenNyan]

Make sure you're not gripping the controller too tightly. I play falco and puff, so this specifically has never been an issue for me, but when I was learning shine OOS, I couldn't do it until I loosened my grip.