Prat Falling

Prat Falling (more often called tripping or various other names; referred to in game files as "slipping") is a new occurrence in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Whenever the Control Stick is smashed, there is a very small chance that the character will trip, fall over, and sit down in a prone state with a confused expression. While apparently intended to stop excessive dashing and pivoting, characters can also trip when they intend to use a forward smash or side special move. A related technique is the trip cancel; when turning around, before tripping, an attack can be used to cancel the trip. The game keeps track of the total number of Prat Falls each character or name has experienced in Group Brawls.

Interestingly, the sound effect for tripping (when not induced by an opponent or item) changes depending on whether the character tripping is from a cartoon-ish or realistic universe: the realistic characters make unimpressive falling-down noises, while cartoon-ish characters (that is, most of the cast) make a distinctive timpani noise. The 'Ready to trip' sound effect for realistic characters (and some cartoon-ish characters) make a light, quick woosh sound, while most of the cartoon-ish characters make a swabbing noise like a sliding mop.

While sitting down, a character has the same options as if they are lying down. However, attacking while sitting does slightly less damage than attacking while lying down (usually 5%), the attack animations look different, the character is only safe for 8 frames (attacking while lying down usually keeps the character safe until the attack's hitboxes end), and the game treats them differently than if the character was lying down. The other options are generally subpar as well, having fewer invincibility frames yet comparably long animations.

Causes of Prat Falling

 * Smashing the control stick left or right, whether dashing or attacking (very small chance).
 * Surfaces with a lack of traction (such as ice) have a higher likelihood of causing tripping.
 * Getting hit with certain attacks (most Down tilts and other low attacks are designed to trip opponents).
 * In addition, if an attack hits targets at a low angle (such as the Sakurai angle) and the target does not leave the ground from the knockback, there is an additional chance to trip.
 * Being hit with/stepping on a Banana Peel.
 * When Tingle rains down banana peels (note these are 2D sprites, not actual Banana Peels), it causes constant Prat Falls to all opponents until he leaves the screen.
 * Luigi's Negative Zone can cause incessant tripping.

Controversy
In casual matches, Prat Falling rarely has a significant effect on gameplay. However, this is not the case in competitive play, when Prat Falling has the potential to turn a match around. It has been cited by many players as an unnecessary addition to the game as it introduces an element of chance, as they claim Brawl less suited to tournaments as a player could win by being luckier than their opponent, despite being the worse player. Prat Falling cannot be used as part of a strategy as it is not possible to predict consistently enough.

While random tripping is generally considered a detriment to tournament play, forced tripping is an integral part of some characters' metagames, especially Diddy and his bananas. Random tripping is often removed in fan-made edits of Brawl, though attacks designed to trip are not affected.

Trivia

 * The Super Smash Bros. Melee bonus, Pratfaller, does not have anything to do with Brawl's Prat Falling. Instead, it is awarded if a character always lands face up after tumbling.
 * If a Fighting Alloy is hacked into a normal match and loses, their losing animation is their sitting pose.
 * Lucas' up taunt is similar to prat falling; however, this is not the same type of prat falling because (1) it is a taunt, (2) it is not caused by the control stick, and (3) floor recovery options are not available after.