The Utility of Wavedashing

[WritersBlah]

So, this is honestly a very embarrassing question for me to ask because I feel like there's a really obvious answer behind it but...how do you use Sheik's wavedash? Maybe I should give some background.

I'm personally training myself to become decent at competitive Melee. I've watched tournaments for about one or two years now, and I really want to start competing in the scene. Fortunately, one of my mains (from way before I even knew of the existence of tier lists) happened to be Sheik, and given how good of a character she is, I decided to develop her. (I traded in my other mains, Kirby for Jigglypuff and Mario for Doc) I got a pretty good grip on L-cancelling pretty early on, though wavedashing consistently is still a bit tough for me. For a while though, I didn't get wavedashing's usefulness at all. It wasn't until later later that I realized I could use it to extend my range and use usually stationary moves while moving, which helped A TON with my Marth gameplay.

Here's my dilemma though. Sheik's wavedash is...kinda short. Actually, it feels minuscule compared to other characters I used like Doc or Marth. So my question is how do you use it properly? Do you just spam it as a movement option? Or can you actually space with it? Just some general newbie confusion.

 

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Along with Fox Trots, Wave Dashing is your go-to spacing tool.
It allows you to keep the close spacing and in turn opens up and improves your punishment game.
Walk forward WD back Ftilt is an example of a spacing tool that's selfexplanatory.
WD OoS is a necessity. Moving sideways out of shield makes all the difference in keeping you safer and opens your OoS artillery up beyond Upsmash, aerials and shield grab.
I'll add that WD back FF edge hog is up there in usefullness so I found it noteworthy.

I wanna mention Wave Landing as well since it is essencially the same, but serves another purpose.
It allows you to land on surfaces that are above you in practically the fastest way.
Hanging on the ledge and getting onto the stage by letting go, using your Double Jump and Wave Landing (aka Ledge Dashing) is an example.
Another is moving from the stage to a side- or top platform by full jumping and waveladning on the platform.
It makes for a smooth transition between the two, but only going up.
I hope you see it's usefullness. It simply cuts the FJ height as well as the impact lag (although WD and WL both have 10 frames of lag).
It allows you to use smash attacks on platforms as well as platform grabbing, along with gaining desired height w/o using your DJ.

I don't think anyone spams WD as a movement option with efficiency in mind (It's fun and flashy tho). Sheik's walk is amazing for that.
Next time you look at competitive smash sets look for how they use use Wave Landing on platforms, WD OoS and Fox Trots + WD for spacing.

Please let me know if that was what you were looking for/ was helpfull at all.