Plain steps and tips.Adds keys-vs-reads strips, SOCD mode tables, frame notes and sources.
Technique · generic input, acceptance varies by game

Instant SOCD dash on a leverless controller

Hold Forward and tap Back. Back + Forward reads as neutral, so the game sees Forward, neutral, Forward.

Input
Notation6, 4+6, 6
DifficultyIntermediate

Instant SOCD dash on a leverless controller

Hold Forward and tap Back. Back + Forward reads as neutral, so the game sees Forward, neutral, Forward.

  1. Press Forward.
  2. Press Forward + Back. The game reads neutral.
  3. Press Forward.

Watch it slowed down, then press Try it and do it yourself with a controller or your keyboard (A, S, D and Space, or the arrow keys). Timing is not frame-accurate. The animation shows the order of presses; check exact timing in your game's training mode. The animation assumes the Capcom/Neutral SOCD mode (Left + Right = Neutral, Up + Down = Neutral), which is how the MICRO and SWORL ship. Game and character names belong to their owners.

Pro notes: Instant SOCD dash

Notation 6, 4+6, 6. Directions are written for a character facing right.

Keys you press vs what the game reads

Top row: the buttons you hold. Bottom row: the direction the game receives in Capcom/Neutral mode. Highlighted steps are where opposing directions cancel to neutral.

SOCD modes

Up priority (Classic)L + R = Neutral, U + D = UpCapcom/NeutralL + R = Neutral, U + D = Neutral. Shipping mode.Last priority (2iP)Newest direction winsNoneBoth sent; the game decides
Works Works Different result Different result

Set the mode by holding a direction while you plug in: Up = Capcom/Neutral, Left = Up priority, Down = Last priority, Right = None. Check yours in the controller tester.

Frame and timing notes

  • Keys you press: 6, 6+4, 6. What the game reads: 6, 5, 6, a double tap without lifting Forward.
  • Works in Capcom/Neutral and Up priority (Classic). In Last priority the tap reads as Back and in None both directions are sent.
  • Tekken's dash is f,n,f; Wavu's SOCD keyboard method for the backdash cancel uses the same idea in reverse (hold b, tap f for the neutral).

Leverless tips for the Instant SOCD dash

The finger map used here: ring finger on Back, middle finger on Down, index finger on Forward, right thumb on Up.

  • Hold Forward and tap Back once. Back + Forward reads as neutral, so the game sees a double tap.
  • Keep the Back tap short and keep Forward held the whole time.
Snack Box MICRO leverless controller
Shown on the Snack Box MICRO

Half an inch thick, 12 hot-swappable buttons and your art under the lid. From $89 for Switch 1 & 2 and PC, with a PS5 & Xbox upgrade.