Blogpost 7: Controlling the Fighting Space: The Fundamentals of Spacing/Zoning

If you like being in control over the fighting game space, look no further cause what you're looking for is the fundamentals of Spacing and Zoning. Spacing/Zoning is a special fundamental that some fighting game characters can specialize in. It's basically knowing you're character's move ranges so that you'll be able to throw your moves safely and pressure your opponent into making mistakes to be able to of advantage,

Gaming journalist Yannick LeJacq put up an article that expains what these fundamentals are in the game Super Smash Bros.But of course, these also applies to different fighting games. The article is titled "What 'Zoning' Means in Smash Bros., and why is it so important". He explains the basic understanding of Zoning and Spacing into this game and how it affects matches in general.

"Speaking generally, then, the core idea behind both zoning and spacing, and the reason they're so important to competitive Smash players, is to always be evaluating the offensive and defensive options available to yourself and your opponent at any given moment. This allows you to better anticipate what an opponent is going to do next—what Smash players often refer to as "reading."

 By learning how to space and zone effectively. You will be able to get off a better read at your opponents while pressuring them into thinking what options should they use to get ahead of you. Of course if you can do these two effectively, you'll be able to narrow down your opponent's working space and limit his options to a point where you'll be able to constantly land your offensive safely while pressuring your opponent to make risky decisions himself.

Another article i found about the implementation of these fundamentals entitled "SSF4-Ryu-Zoning(part2)" gives a good situation on how a character that specializes in these fundamentals tale advantage of it in a match.Written by Jam Shojiki

" When zoning, depending on the ranges, he uses particular fireball patterns and techniques in order to control the space in front of him and catch his opponent's options.Punishing each of these options consistently forces your opponent to take risks, resulting in his opponent conceding damage through walking into Cr.MK xx Hadoken"

So by learning your character's range and limiting your opponent's working range greatly increases your chance of winning the match. Who doesn't like messing around your opponent's minds? Limiting your opponents options is a huge advantage and will give your opponents a very steep slope to conquer if they want to win.