Is using R+A to grab inefficient?

[Iron Kraken]

For the most part I use standard Gamecube control options, except I currently have tap jump turned off and Y set to grab. However, I find myself never using the Y button, but rather using R+A to grab instead.

The way I do things now I focus on just a few things: the left joystick, the A button (attack), the B button (special), the X button (jump), and the R button (shield).

I completely avoid using the L button, Z button, Y button, and the C-stick. Mostly it's to avoid moving my fingers so much. I find it easy to move my thumb around the B-A-X horizontal, but I find myself delayed when I have to move my thumb upwards to reach the Y button. Similarly I avoid using the Z button so that I can keep my right index finger on the R button at all times. In the case of the L button, I just prefer to have my left hand totally focused on the joystick.

I figure that having 4 less buttons to worry about pressing would theoretically be efficient, because my fingers don't have to move as much and I don't have to think about pressing as many buttons.

But I do wonder if my grab game could be suffering from the fact that I have to press both R+A at the same time, especially since the R button is analog rather than digital. Or is it balanced out by the fact that I don't have have to take my fingers off of R & A in the first place?

I understand that control options are always about doing what feels comfortable to you... However, I thought I'd ask people with many more years of experience using the Gamecube controller to play Smash than I have if they think using R+A actually is inefficient, and what insight they may have about this. I figured if I need to retrain myself how to grab, it's better to do it sooner than later.

 

[Semopo]

In my opinion, it is inefficient. Try using y/x or even L for grappling.
Just try it out, it's smooth, it's easy, and 1 button more isn't that big of a deal.

 

[KoRLumen]

Good practice for shield grabbing, I guess, but I'd also say it's more efficient to just use a grab button.

Though I hear that it messes up sometimes, attacking/shielding instead of grabbing.

 

[Roukiske]

Is it more efficient to use one button over two? Yes. Will it mean the difference between winning and losing? IMO, nope.

 

[Deleted member 269706]

I generally use L, but when I'm playing more defensively, holding R then pressing A is pretty efficient. I also find that it makes pummeling easier. But like everyone else has said, one button is more efficient than two.