I need to wrap my head around when to pushblock as opposed to just holding back and anticipating a throw tech. I'm an intermediate SF player and never got into games with it in it like Mahvel. I get its to prevent offense and resets n stuff, but not really...I remember playing SG when it first dropped or even Marvel many moons ago and not really knowing if I was doing it in the right spots..I just kinda mash it when i feel I'm getting too much pressure
Could someone paint a scenario where its smart and what it prevents?
In the majority of situations you want to push late, the last hit of a safe string to give your self some room.
ie. Fillia dashes in with j.HP 2LK 5MK 5HP
5HP is only (-3?) on block so is safe in most situations in the game. You have a choice, pushblock the 5HP and reset the game to a more neutral position.
OR take the advantage you have and start your own pressure, the danger being Fillia's reversal updo and any assist she could be calling. Pushblock is the safer option.
Now lets complicate things and add an extra option/scenario.
Fillia instead dashes in with j.HP j.HK
Now, this is a situation that is a little more complex.
You COULD pushblock the j.HP, which would make the j.HK whiff. If the Fillia reacted slowly this would give you a punish opportunity usually, or at least good advantage.
However Fillia could simply notice the pushblock and whiff cancel into an airball + an asisst. This puts her back on top of you with a mixup opportunity you cannot pushblock out of.
A Fillia that is alone however could only try to frame trap (let you leave blockstun and try to catch you pressing a button for a counterhit) you with a super. The early pushblock there would make sense because if Fillia chose to do anything, she would be at enough disadvantage that you could easily punish her.
Ok, so basically, the general rule is you want to pushblock late, usually the last hit of a string. However there are other situations in which you should probably pushblock that will become apparent to you as you play with the mechanic yourself and gain general SG experience.
Don't get too used to pushblock EVERY string though, or you will lose punish opportunities more than you will create them.