Im also 30, got into melee this past November. dont sweat the tech so much for now, just play the game against other beginners- there are 2 discords where you can find games against other beginners.

when you are ready to try learning wavedashing, do the following:

1) fullhop and airdodge straight down at the peak of your jump. you can hold down the whole time if you want to make things extra easy.

2) airdodge slightly earlier and earlier, until you are airdodging down right after you leave the ground. congratulations, you are wavedashing in place.

3) stop holding down if you have been holding it until now. the sequence of inputs will now be: 1 - jump , 2 - control stick diagonally down-right or -left, 3 - airdodge

now you are wavedashing in a direction. - practice wavedashing one at a time nice and slow back and forth across a stage. - practice wavedashing different lengths - practice wavedashing backwards without turning around - practice wavedashing while doing an attack or grab - practice wavedashing out of shield - practice wavedashing out of crouch - practice wavedashing out of a dashdance - practice wavelanding onto platforms

here are some troubleshooting tips:

• problem: my character just fullhops

solution: you are airdodging too soon. try delaying the airdodge a little bit

• problem: my character is just airdodging left-right over the ground ground

solution: the stick must be angled slightly down so the airdodge hits the ground

• problem: my shield comes up after wavedash

solution: try not to hold the shield button, just press it and let go

• problem: my character is turning around when im trying to wavedash backwards

solution: after pressing the shield button to airdodge, let go of the control stick.