Bouncing Fish
Sheik performs Bouncing Fish in Ultimate
User	Sheik
Universe	The Legend of Zelda

Bouncing Fish (跳魚, Leaping Fish) is Sheik's down special move in Super Smash Bros. 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, replacing Transform from Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl due to Sheik and Zelda now being separate characters.

Overview

Sheik leaps forward with an arced kick, visually similar to Flip Jump.

Pressing the attack button after the initial leap makes Sheik kick sooner, much like Jolt Haymaker. The trajectory of this move can be altered by sticking the control stick in the desired direction.

If the kick lands, the opponent will receive high knockback, and Sheik will rebound backwards at a higher arc than the original. Upon rebounding, Sheik is able to press the attack button again for an additional kick, aesthetically and damage-wise similar to the first. If landed, Sheik will again rebound backwards at the same improved arc and is able to do so a third time with the same rebound and arc. However, pressing the attack button again during this fourth arc will not trigger the kick again.

The move can be used as an aerial approach or as a followup to a forward aerial, though it has moderately high landing lag if missed. The distance gained by the move makes it useful for recovery. Additionally, Sheik can rebound off of walls using the move.

It is impossible to use the moveMedia:Sheik Down B SSBU Glitch.gif as an attack on the ground if Sheik’s fall speed is increased such as from the Metal Box or when spirits are equipped. If attempted, Sheik will do a unique animation and the move ends before it can deal damage.

Instructional quotes

case foldout		Flip through the air, and strike foes with your heel.
trophy description		The down special Bouncing Fish is an attack where Sheik strikes with both heels, falling similarly to the way a fish might flop around.
Move List		Flips through the air and strikes foes with her heel. If the kick lands, she bounces back.

Customization

Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:

1. Bouncing Fish	2. Jellyfish	3. Pisces
"Flip through the air and strike foes with your heel. If you land the kick, you bounce back." "Flips through the air to hit opponents with a heel kick, then leaps back for an optional second kick."	"Flip higher and slam downward with your heel. Land the kick to bounce straight up." "A higher flip, kicking from above. Sends both you and your foe into the air for an easy follow-up."	"Flip lower and press the button again to kick. Land the kick to bounce forward." "An extra-low flip, covering distance with speed. When used on the ground, the kick is optional."

1. Bouncing Fish: Default.
2. Jellyfish: Arcs much more vertically, easier to land a hit, and will rebound Sheik slightly upwards. Not useful as a recovery, as Sheik falls straight downwards with high ending lag if missed, unless she is recovering from high above. Also deals less damage, especially against grounded opponents. The first kick allows Sheik to set up a second kick with strong knockback.
3. Pisces: Arcs much closer to the ground and faster, but will not attack unless the button is pressed again, and rebounds Sheik forwards. The kick has strong reverse knockback and does more damage, but it has more ending lag if missed.

Origin

The Bouncing Fish is a move original to Smash and does not appear in any other The Legend of Zelda media, used by either Sheik or other characters. The move does resemble a Tengkong Pantui Cepu^[1], a kick used in the Nanquan martial art, with an added 360° midair twist.

Gallery

• 

  Sheik using Bouncing Fish against Mario in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
• 

  Bouncing Fish in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
• 

  Bouncing Fish as shown by the Move List in Ultimate.

Names in other languages

Language	Name
Japanese	跳魚
English	Bouncing Fish
French (PAL)	Saut vrillé avant
French (NTSC)	Poisson volant
German	Salto
Spanish	Salto delfín
Italian	Salto del delfino
Chinese (Simplified)	跳鱼
Chinese (Traditional)	跳魚
Portuguese	Mortal com Pirueta
Korean	도어
Dutch	Vliegende Vis
Russian	Рыбий отскок

Trivia

• The name for the third customizable variation of Bouncing Fish references Pisces, the constellation and the Zodiac sign.
• According to Nintendo Treehouse Staff, Bouncing Fish originally meteor smashed like Flip Jump but this was removed in the final build.^[2]

Technical details

• Bouncing Fish in Smash 4
• Bouncing Fish in Ultimate

References

• Sheik
• Sheik (SSB4)
• Sheik (SSBU)
• The Legend of Zelda universe
• Down special moves