I main Balrog and I am constantly getting my ass kicked by anyone who jumps in on me. I can't seem to hit my anti-air fast enough, and switching to standing is out of the question. How to do I train my reflexes so I don't hit HK instead of HP or so I can hit HP early enough that it actually does something? I'm getting rocked here!
 
There's gotta be a better way than just getting my ass kicked over and over and feeling embarrassed because I'm too shitty to hit one button. Anything I can do in training mode or something?
 
Thanks.

In training mode you can actually set recordings. Set the recording so that it's doing what you have trouble with and try to stop it. The best way though would to play with a friend in training mode. Ask him/her to try and do overheads to you at random points then see if you can get it. Other option is that you don't always have to punish the jump in. If you're afraid you're going to eat a jumping hard kick to the face then just block high.

You should try to train yourself to stand and block overheads and jump ins first and then move onto working on anti-air.  Even if you're getting your ass kicked by other means, you should just try to train your defense up first. 
Believe me, it gets annoying trying to learn to anti-air things, but it's better to learn to block first so you stop taking those kicks to the head.

" @JokerSmilez: I'm pretty sure you're on my friends list, we can play a few games if you want practice. Just hit me up when im online yo, friendly games are good. "

Gambit Says, "Stand up."

"switching to standing is out of the question"

In the wise words of Chris Hu " Sometimes you just gotta block that shit ". They can jump in at an angle to stuff your anti airs, you gotta block!

" In the wise words of Chris Hu " Sometimes you just gotta block that shit ". They can jump in at an angle to stuff your anti airs, you gotta block! "

" @JokerSmilez said:

"switching to standing is out of the question"

No it's not. Switch to standing to block an overhead/crossup. "

" @Scooper said:

" @JokerSmilez said:

"switching to standing is out of the question"

No it's not. Switch to standing to block an overhead/crossup. "

Yes, I know it's possible and clearly its preferencial. I'm saying if I currently don't have the reflexes to hit HP, I'm not going to have the reflexes or control to stand up. I need help figuring out a good way to work on those things (reflexes and control) so I can block or anti-air jump in attempts and overheads. Telling me to do something that is harder than something I already have trouble doing isn't really that helpful. But I'll try... "

" @Scooper said:

" @JokerSmilez said:

"switching to standing is out of the question"

No it's not. Switch to standing to block an overhead/crossup. "

Yes, I know it's possible and clearly its preferencial. I'm saying if I currently don't have the reflexes to hit HP, I'm not going to have the reflexes or control to stand up. I need help figuring out a good way to work on those things (reflexes and control) so I can block or anti-air jump in attempts and overheads. Telling me to do something that is harder than something I already have trouble doing isn't really that helpful. But I'll try... "

" @JokerSmilez: How is it harder? Moving your left hand a few cm to the right as you see them jump, which gives you like 2 seconds. If you can't react in 2 seconds, then Street Fighter might not be for you. Doing an anti air is harder, as you have to wait for them to be in the right position. Stop making excuses! "

" @JokerSmilez said:

" @Scooper said:

" @JokerSmilez said:

"switching to standing is out of the question"

No it's not. Switch to standing to block an overhead/crossup. "

Yes, I know it's possible and clearly its preferencial. I'm saying if I currently don't have the reflexes to hit HP, I'm not going to have the reflexes or control to stand up. I need help figuring out a good way to work on those things (reflexes and control) so I can block or anti-air jump in attempts and overheads. Telling me to do something that is harder than something I already have trouble doing isn't really that helpful. But I'll try... "

Sorry ifI was a little blunt.Just keep practicing against real people. When they jump in at a wierd angle or if it's too late to use a c.hp just try and stand up. It won't take long until you can block nearly any jumpin. Against characters like DeeJay who has a really good crossup you need to learn to block alot of stuff. If you can learn to block all his crossups, learn the spacing for his fake crossups (basicaly if he jumps a little late or from slightly further away) and learn to react to his short hop then basicaly DeeJay is shut down, simply from blocking all his stuff. If you watch last Thursday's TNT you see what happens if you don't know how to block a crossup. You get humilated by Jeffsekai the douche. Now if you block that shit he's gotta find a new way to get you. If you want I can give you a few games and do alot of jumpins and crossups that you can use as practice. I'll be on in about an hour. "

" @JokerSmilez: Oh our connection will most likely be unplayable then. You don't need me to fight you ayways, any random Joe will do.  Don't take offence but I found it really funny that you know that Ken's back standing medium kick has a 15 frame staartup but you can't move the stick from downback to back to block it without jumping. It's really not differcult. Well, when I first started it kinda was hard to move from 1 to the other rapidly without really thinking about it but nowerdays if someone's attacking me with a block string I'm going from crouching to standing and back to crouching all the time and blocking every hit. I like to block a standing hit standing and a crouching hit crouching which makes it alot easier to block overheads.  But yeah, don't worry about frames of startup at this point, just get your fundementals down and then read into that stuff later. Crawl before you walk is my advice. "

" @JokerSmilez: Oh our connection will most likely be unplayable then. You don't need me to fight you ayways, any random Joe will do.  Don't take offence but I found it really funny that you know that Ken's back standing medium kick has a 15 frame staartup but you can't move the stick from downback to back to block it without jumping. It's really not differcult. Well, when I first started it kinda was hard to move from 1 to the other rapidly without really thinking about it but nowerdays if someone's attacking me with a block string I'm going from crouching to standing and back to crouching all the time and blocking every hit. I like to block a standing hit standing and a crouching hit crouching which makes it alot easier to block overheads.  But yeah, don't worry about frames of startup at this point, just get your fundementals down and then read into that stuff later. Crawl before you walk is my advice. "

" @Scooper said:

" @JokerSmilez: Oh our connection will most likely be unplayable then. You don't need me to fight you ayways, any random Joe will do.  Don't take offence but I found it really funny that you know that Ken's back standing medium kick has a 15 frame staartup but you can't move the stick from downback to back to block it without jumping. It's really not differcult. Well, when I first started it kinda was hard to move from 1 to the other rapidly without really thinking about it but nowerdays if someone's attacking me with a block string I'm going from crouching to standing and back to crouching all the time and blocking every hit. I like to block a standing hit standing and a crouching hit crouching which makes it alot easier to block overheads.  But yeah, don't worry about frames of startup at this point, just get your fundementals down and then read into that stuff later. Crawl before you walk is my advice. "

Spelling isn't too "differcult" either, but tell that to JEFF! Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa  Yeah, different strokes for different folks basically though. Overheads sometimes have to be read, it's not just a "I SEE IT TIME TO REACT WITH STAND BLOCK" thing. You are taking a guess that they will mix up with an overhead instead of a low attack, and if you guess wrong you eat low attack into fat combo. Overheads aren't that big of an issue versus grounded opponents though, since most character can't do anything afterward, I'm content crouch blocking and getting hit with a random overhead from time to time. Jumping attacks should go without saying though, always be standing as soon as they leave the ground. "

" @JokerSmilez: Just practice. You'll get better soon enough. I guess you could go into training and get the dummy to keep jumping doing attacks and you try and block them. You'll know they're coming though so I don't know if that will help. "

Try and play some matches with Stang, a good long set.  He uses a lot of jumpin mixups including really ambiguous crossup air tatsu's.  Basically, you're going to be holding down/back, you HAVE to train yourself to stand up and block on jumpins -and- recognize crossup attempts.  With Balrog it's even more of a necessity since he doesn't seem to have very good crossup defense.  Playing against someone who has a solid crossup game really teaches you how to defend, and then you have to learn to transition from defense to offense.  
 
Ill give you an example.  Playing cammy, I start by trying score an early round knockdown (difficult sometimes, but don't we all).  This could be a spiral arrow, throw, or sweep, depends on the situation, but what happens after a knockdown is important.  I have several options, the foremost of which is to either j.lk crossup -or- j.hk C.strike which passes over the person without hitting(into mixups).  If the crossups are landing, I can score some big combos and knockdowns.  If they are blocking the crossup, i have to go into much more technically difficult moves and better mind games and it changes how I have to play that match.  If they cant block the crossup, or keep eating throws/TKCS mixups off the cross-over, I will win that match 90% of the time.  You want me trying the more difficult moves, it gives more room for me to make a mistake. It means I have to start trying empty jumps, multiple TKCS mixups, etc, instead of just thinking about how to mix you up more.  Eventually I may fall into a pattern you can punish.  Sometimes, Blocking is the best way to really take over a match.

Blocking overheads is nothing more then recognition and reaction. Don't know what to say beyond that.

" Blocking overheads is nothing more then recognition and reaction. Don't know what to say beyond that. "

Learn all overhead animations whenever you get hit. You'll see them comign and know what to do.

Mash those buttons!!! 
 
Hehe jk, I guess just trying to block the overhead attacks is the most practical move to survive the crossups.  I have to admit, it is difficult to get used to it, but you just need to practice it and time it correctly.  Usually just go into a lot matches and eventually it'll be natural to you.  As for countering, now that needs more practice than the usual block coz you need to read your opponent carefully and time the attack.  Like for Balrog, even if you predict that your opponent will jump over you and you try to uppercut or do a headbutt, but you pulled it off at the wrong time, early or late, you'll get punished.  Just get into a lot of matches and experiment with the timing, you'll get it right one way or another.  If you want to practice on your own, use the training mode and record the air attack then practice it. :)

standing out of the question? standing block is what works dude.

" @JokerSmilez: Scratch that, my TE stick just died which is stupid 'cause it's a month old. Looks like I'm stuck with BFBC2 and Halo Reach for now.  -edit-  Never mind, it wasn't plugged in. "

" @Stang said:

" Blocking overheads is nothing more then recognition and reaction. Don't know what to say beyond that. "

Any tips on getting better at it though? I know what to do, I just don't know how to get better at doing it other than just hammering away at online matches which I know will work, but will be frustrating and slow so I've been wondering if there was a more efficient way of improving a basic skill.  Thanks. "

" @JokerSmilez said:

" @Stang said:

" Blocking overheads is nothing more then recognition and reaction. Don't know what to say beyond that. "

Any tips on getting better at it though? I know what to do, I just don't know how to get better at doing it other than just hammering away at online matches which I know will work, but will be frustrating and slow so I've been wondering if there was a more efficient way of improving a basic skill.  Thanks. "

Not sure why you're so worried about overheads. Not all characters have them, and even less use them with regularity. I mean, I use mine sometimes to stuff any wake up attacks (it doesn't stuff all, just some). "

" @Napalm said:

" @JokerSmilez said:

" @Stang said:

" Blocking overheads is nothing more then recognition and reaction. Don't know what to say beyond that. "

Any tips on getting better at it though? I know what to do, I just don't know how to get better at doing it other than just hammering away at online matches which I know will work, but will be frustrating and slow so I've been wondering if there was a more efficient way of improving a basic skill.  Thanks. "

Not sure why you're so worried about overheads. Not all characters have them, and even less use them with regularity. I mean, I use mine sometimes to stuff any wake up attacks (it doesn't stuff all, just some). "

It's as I said, you can completely forget about overheads 90% of the time and probably be fine. The only overheads I block are ones I see coming, like Gambits constant meaty overhead with dudley on my wake-up. "

" @JokerSmilez said:

" @Stang said:

" Blocking overheads is nothing more then recognition and reaction. Don't know what to say beyond that. "

Any tips on getting better at it though? I know what to do, I just don't know how to get better at doing it other than just hammering away at online matches which I know will work, but will be frustrating and slow so I've been wondering if there was a more efficient way of improving a basic skill.  Thanks. "

Not sure why you're so worried about overheads. Not all characters have them, and even less use them with regularity. I mean, I use mine sometimes to stuff any wake up attacks (it doesn't stuff all, just some). "

I know this doesn't help you much, but don't hold down-back the entire match then fool. Don't be that guy who just waits.  Puerto Rican Balrog rapes like no other, he holds down back for the minimum time to do a charge motion, then is back on the sick rush down.  
 
Watch and learn. 
 
  

" @Napalm said:

" @JokerSmilez said:

" @Stang said:

" Blocking overheads is nothing more then recognition and reaction. Don't know what to say beyond that. "

Any tips on getting better at it though? I know what to do, I just don't know how to get better at doing it other than just hammering away at online matches which I know will work, but will be frustrating and slow so I've been wondering if there was a more efficient way of improving a basic skill.  Thanks. "

Not sure why you're so worried about overheads. Not all characters have them, and even less use them with regularity. I mean, I use mine sometimes to stuff any wake up attacks (it doesn't stuff all, just some). "

The reason I asked about overheads is because since I play Balrog, I spend a good amount of time in a back crouch and I had just 3 straight matches because the players I was playing against went out of their way to use overheads and thus kicked my ass. "

" @Napalm said:

" @JokerSmilez said:

" @Stang said:

" Blocking overheads is nothing more then recognition and reaction. Don't know what to say beyond that. "

Any tips on getting better at it though? I know what to do, I just don't know how to get better at doing it other than just hammering away at online matches which I know will work, but will be frustrating and slow so I've been wondering if there was a more efficient way of improving a basic skill.  Thanks. "

Not sure why you're so worried about overheads. Not all characters have them, and even less use them with regularity. I mean, I use mine sometimes to stuff any wake up attacks (it doesn't stuff all, just some). "

It's as I said, you can completely forget about overheads 90% of the time and probably be fine. The only overheads I block are ones I see coming, like Gambits constant meaty overhead with dudley on my wake-up. "

" @JokerSmilez said:

" @Napalm said:

" @JokerSmilez said:

" @Stang said:

" Blocking overheads is nothing more then recognition and reaction. Don't know what to say beyond that. "

Any tips on getting better at it though? I know what to do, I just don't know how to get better at doing it other than just hammering away at online matches which I know will work, but will be frustrating and slow so I've been wondering if there was a more efficient way of improving a basic skill.  Thanks. "

Not sure why you're so worried about overheads. Not all characters have them, and even less use them with regularity. I mean, I use mine sometimes to stuff any wake up attacks (it doesn't stuff all, just some). "

The reason I asked about overheads is because since I play Balrog, I spend a good amount of time in a back crouch and I had just 3 straight matches because the players I was playing against went out of their way to use overheads and thus kicked my ass. "

There's a simple reason why they kicked your ass: you were doing nothing but turtling, and they overheaded you to get you to do something. if I'm fighting a turtle, I just go up and throw their ass three times. "

" @JokerSmilez: What character were they using? As far as I know only 2-3 characters can combo after an overhead, those being Ryu (extremely strict timing), Dudley and either Juri or Ibuki, I forget.  Try charging while jumping, attacking, etc. Down back is not necessary contrary to what you see on Xbox Live. Rog is a rush down character, not a down back turtle. "

I enjoy the fact that people are saying "you must play your character this way," or "no no no, play him THAT way!" Just play him however you choose. Balrog can do both just fine, I suppose since Akuma has fireballs I should just sit back the entire time because that's what he's "intended" for.