Hey all, I realise when watching these recorded runs they took a lot of time and hard work to produce, however I'm just finding I cannot replicate the core basic strategy and wondering if I'm missing something?

I have the GOG version of MK1 and I've read Tenka's Arcade guide which refers to 2 core combos with Johnny Cage. I see that these same strategies are used verbatim on the GOG CD version, so I assume it's 100% relevant. I'm also using P2 controls etc.

What I don't get however is why my JP, JK and Shadow Kick moves just aren't making contact the way I see them doing in the videos for the various speedruns? Any help here is greatly appreciated.

JK from half a screen: When I jump at a player from a half screen distance and land a kick on them, when I do Cage's shadow kick it never executes fast enough to catch the falling opponent to create the juggle. Instead the player hits the ground and I end up standing over their body as they prepare to stand and retaliate with my guard down.

JP or JK from point blank: When I stand point black of the opponent, no gap between them and I, if I do a JP or JK I just fly over them. Is this because it all relies on the opponent to jump or otherwise do something that raises their hitbox?