Techniques

Ukemi/Tech

The Ukemi, or Tech, as it is sometimes called in Super Smash Bros, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl guides, is a technique used when a player is hit hard into a ceiling, wall, or floor. If the player taps the shield button as they hit the wall, ceiling, or floor, the will stop rebounding and immediately get up. This move is invaluable to get a jump on your opponents. They will get up with a dodge.

Footstool Jump

The Footstool Jump is a technique unique to Super Smash Bros. Brawl. If a player presses the jump button while his character's feet are close enough to his opponent's character's head, the player's character will jump off of the other character's head. If performed multiple times without landing, the jump height will progressively decrease with each jump until there is not enough height to perform another jump. If performed on a midair opponent, he will enter a spinning animation while immediately beginning to fall. While this is not as powerful as a meteor smash/spike, it works similarly and can be used likewise.

Perfect Shield

Perfect Shield is the official term when one uses a shield just in time. There is no "exact" way to perform the Perfect Shield technique. In order for the technique to be executed, one must rely on timing and skill. When the opponent is ready to strike, the player must quickly use the shield. If done correctly, the character may take no damage and have a proper moment to perform a counter attack while the attacker is still recovering. When used, any incoming attack is blocked with no damage done to a character's shield, and projectiles may also be reflected (it should be noted that reflecting projectiles with a shield is not possible in Brawl).

Powershielding is done by quickly and fully depressing L or R so that the incoming attack is inside the character's shield. If done correctly, there will be a white flash and a distinctive (though somewhat hard to hear) sound. If the timing is slightly off, then the attack may be blocked by a lightshield, a normal shield, or it may not be blocked at all. Because powershielding is technically a shield, it is ineffective against grabs.

Glancing Blows

Glancing Blows is a "technique" originating from Super Smash Bros. Melee and returning in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

This is mostly done by accident when an attack hits a target, but just barely. It is accomplished when a character attacks an opponent and barely misses. This will sometimes make a "chik" sound; the attack doesn't stun the opponent, and it does minor damage due to the attack nearly missing. Certain Special Attacks and Smash Attacks may also "perform" a glancing blow if they have a near-miss.

Item Depature

Item Departure is a technique originating from Super Smash Bros. Melee and returning in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

It is performed mostly by accident either when a character is on the ground, and/or is attempting to grab/catch a disappearing item. When next to the item, attempt to grab the item by pressing A or Z on the Nintendo GameCube controller, right before it disappears, if performed correctly, the item pick-up animation will appear, but the item will be gone.