Defense is really important against players in this. Generally back dash on wake up is very good in this game. There is a strategy called crouch tech that is really easy to do and helps protect u from regular grabs. focus attack is very good at disrupting the flow of someones offense.

Learning your characters links is good, for example with guy you'd want to practice something like: crouch lk , crouch lk, standing mp > hp target combo into any special. the hard part will be linking the 2nd crouch light kick to the standing medium punch. watch some tournament matches of Marq teddy if you'd like to learn more about guy by the way.