Most of the time, the advantage-state and disadvantage-state in Melee are simplified to two representative things: hitting your opponent and getting hit. In reality, the forms that advantage and disadvantage take in Melee can be far more nebulous than that. Both players are rarely on completely even ground at any point during a game. One might have more stage control or be at a higher percent, or sometimes even being on a platform can be enough to have the upper or lower hand in the succeeding interaction.

Putting your opponent in a bad position can often feel like the perfect time to capitalise on that advantage, but it also almost always prompts a defensive or risky option from them. I’ve found huge success in allowing my opponent a moment to make their move and attempt to reposition or escape before getting slammed with an up-air for jumping or a rest for rolling in. Being put in the corner can often be enough pressure in itself to shake your opponent into making a mistake. Oftentimes, this position forces a shield, jump, or roll out of them, but if you’re not primed to punish these types of options, you might find yourself having the position turned against you on a dime.

How your opponent reacts to being cornered is subject to their playstyle, of course, but lacking the recognition of just how good this position is can prevent you from capitalising on what can be a stock-ending interaction. In this clip, I hit Fox into the corner and give him just enough time to pick an option, choosing to full-hop, which I cover with up-air. Sure, it is a bit of a hard read from my end, but giving him the space to make a mistake in a terrible position like this is what ultimately wins me the stock.

Inversely, it is incredibly important when you are put into a corner like this to react appropriately. You can think about it like this; it is not your turn. The best thing you can do when in a disadvantaged position is consistently do your best to return to neutral and anticipate the other player’s attempts to pressure or catch your escape. It’s not often the best idea to force yourself out of the corner, when escaping to a platform or going to ledge are perfectly viable options. Again, this heavily relies on how your opponent is playing but it’s important to recognise how powerful this form of advantage can be. Take reversals and swing out the corner if you see the opportunity, sure, but have discipline – it’s okay to wait your turn.