Crouch Tech

A Crouch Tech is a tactic and Option Select in the Street Fighter IV Series that also works in Street Fighter X Tekken.

How it works
Unlike many other Option Selects, crouch tech takes advantage of how the IV series handles input priority. In general the game will use a kick if a punch and kick are pressed at the same time. While standing this would make the character do their throw animation that leaves them highly vulnerable.

This was removed in Street Fighter V, making teching throws more of a gamble.

Tactics


The usefulness of this tactic is twofold. First it lowers the danger in attempting to tech throw attempts. Crouching Light Kicks are faster than the throw whiff animation for most characters. Characters with short reaching crouching light kicks are still at risk of shimmies, albiet much less than without a crouch tech.

The Secondary benefit is that many characters can combo off their crouch techs. This can catch the opponent's throw attempt start up and get a full punish as a result. Characters that have a 3 frame crouching light kick tend to benefit the most.

This alongside 21 frame backdashs and adiquate reversals are part of the reasons why characters like Rose and Poison can be so difficult to pin down. It has to be noted that attacks like Guile's Reverse Spin Kick or Ibuki's Bonshogeri are useful for stopping this technique. The startup can be counterhit by any attack also.

Care has to be taken against Grapplers as this tactic has very little effect on Command Grabs. Zangief's light Spinning Piledriver is particularly dangerous as it outranges the crouching light kick of most of the cast