Tech Check

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Ganondorf performing a successful Tech Check against Captain Falcon's Falcon Dive in Melee, punishing the latter with his powerful forward aerial.

Tech Checking, historically known as Rockcrocking, is an advanced technique used to punish Captain Falcon's Falcon Dive and Ganondorf's Dark Dive, introduced in Super Smash Bros. Melee with the addition of wall techs.

As of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate patch 11.0.0, the endlag of both characters' throws has been significantly decreased, making the technique considerably harder, albeit still possible.

Execution

When Captain Falcon or Ganondorf grab an opponent near a ledge or stage base with their respective up special, the opponent can wall jump tech the throw and punish the character during endlag. This technique is controversial in the Captain Falcon and Ganondorf communities, with many players arguing that the loss of control is a disproportionate punish for merely recovering.

Given the nature of the technique, the Tech Check is strictly an execution test on both sides, with little else involved. The user must tech, or be stage spiked, while the Captain Falcon or Ganondorf player must mix up their timing to make the best of their situation.

Etymology

The technique was originally named Rockcrocking, named after the player of the same name, RockCrock. After RockCrock was accused of sexual assault, Captain Falcon and Ganondorf players attempted to change the term to remove any reference to him. The new name was chosen on a Twitter poll created by Fatality, where "Tech Check" (from "vibe check") won the poll by a significant margin. Despite the pushing of the new term from prominent players, it has not been fully adopted, with many players still using "Rockcrocking", chiefly out of tradition.