Sup boys, been a while. Could use some in depth critiques of my set with a local sheik main that gave me some trouble at my last monthly. Really disappointed in my play; any advice with regards to what tools I should be abusing more in neutral and how to handle approaching/defending appropriately vs sheik in general would be appreciated (please ignore game 3)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UrQvhtlzK28
Hope you don't mind if I give my critique on your match at such a delayed time, since I didn't see anyone else posting anything yet.
You really have to stop abusing that QD attack so much, it is
really unsafe and I just recommend using it for when you absolutely know it's going to connect to get some space or possibly get a follow up aerial. Otherwise, you're left out in recovery frames from whiffing the attack. The Shiek player (Hello) really capitalized off of those shielded QD attacks. In addition, because the needles block out your QD, you're normally going to only get QD jump cancel stuff in combos or tech chases. However, you can pull out quick QD jc if your opponent isn't expecting it (don't hang onto the side b for long, tap and release into jc/whatever you think will work)
Aerials: Never ever use fair so close to people (unless it's mid-combo/hitstun to do so), that move takes way too long to even connect at those ranges in neutral. Better options would be your nair or even bair if you're close enough. (Mid-match, I agree with the commentators on using uair instead of that bair at 6:13 - try to use your aerials in the direction your opponent is located)
Hello also got you on your poor spacing of those nairs as well. While it is a good move to through out: if you don't properly space Ike's aerials, then you will get punished by shield grabs/w/e else. Don't overuse them though as you don't want to become too predictable and allow them to counter you. Mix up those approaches.
Saw some jab grabs which are alright, but Hello caught onto your tactics and just crouch canceled them into his own moves to beat out your grab animations. Jabx2 grab is a bit iffy as you must have the right positioning in order for the grab to connect as well, so only grab if the opponent is close to you (or dash and jc/normal grab them which I saw you do). In other words, mix up your jab usages and follow up for the full jab combo, jab(s) into tilts, etc. Whenever you do get grabs, try to force them to DI incorrectly by changing the direction for your throw and capitalize by using QD rar, other aerials, or even QD jc grabs for other follow ups. I don't exactly recommend up throwing at high percents, as you can't really get much off of it.
(Side Note - Might have been better off with an ftilt at 6:30)
Recovering from ledge options: Again, I noticed you like to use QD attack or ledge jump aerials. Try to incorporate some invincible fair or nair from ledge or jump waveland grab if the person is somewhat close to the stage (fair and waveland grab should be about the same distance so you can choose either, and nairs for when the opponent is close up - I also recommend you test the ranges out yourself in training for a better grasp of it).
Of course, you can use defensive routes (like waveland shield, or air dodge); however, the player you faced was fishing for those grab setups so it probably wouldn't have turned out too great.
Overall, you should work on your positioning and utilize different approaches to your game to not let the opponent catch onto your patterns and counter you. Also, read up on those match up tips here against Shiek and you should be fine. (Should be able to use the search function. Too bad this forum doesn't have similar matchup posts like dustloop's)
Hope that helps you out, mang. Good luck out there!