Pummel

Peach's pummel action on Ike in Brawl.

Fox pummeling Mario in Melee.

A pummel is the attack usable while an opponent remains trapped in the player's grab. Any character can pummel by pressing the attack or grab buttons after a successful grab. Since that character will already be holding the other using their arms, most pummels are knee jabs or head butts, which tend to cause around 2-3% damage. Pummeling is primarily used to rack up extra damage before a throw, and in Brawl, to restore more critical moves from stale-move negation while chaingrabbing. The higher an opponent's damage meter, the longer one can pummel before they're able to break free from the grab. If not executed swiftly, an adept fighter may escape before even a single blow is landed. Pummeling was first introduced in Melee. It can be performed much more quickly in Brawl and most usually have a specific rhythm that affects its speed.

SSBM pummeling actions

• Bowser: Headbutts opponent with his horns.
  • Koopa Klaw: Bites the opponent.
• Captain Falcon: Knees the opponent.
• Dr. Mario: Headbutts the opponent.
• Donkey Kong: Karate chops the opponent on the head or shoulder.
• Falco: Knees the opponent.
• Fox: Knees the opponent.
• Ganondorf: Knees the opponent slowly.
• Ice Climbers: Headbutts the opponent. A bit slow unless the ICs are desynched.
• Jigglypuff: Hits the opponent with tuft of hair. Looks like a headbutt.
• Kirby: Punches the opponent with this left hand.
• Link: Hits the opponent on the head with the hilt of his sword.
• Luigi: Headbutts the opponent.
• Mario: Headbutts the opponent.
• Marth: Quickly knees the opponent.
• Mewtwo: Shocks it's opponent.
• Mr. Game and Watch: Hits the opponent on the head with a bell.
• Ness: Headbutts the opponent slowly.
• Pichu: Zaps the opponent while damaging itself slightly.
• Pikachu: Zaps the opponent.
• Peach: Kicks the opponents shins.
• Roy: Knees the opponent.
• Samus: Bonks the opponent on the head with her left hand.
• Sheik: Slaps the opponent with her left hand.
• Young Link: Hits his opponent on the head with the hilt of his sword.
• Yoshi: Chews on his opponent.
• Zelda: Shocks her opponent with magic.

SSBB pummeling actions

• Bowser: Hits the opponent with his horns.
• Captain Falcon: Knees the opponent.
• Charizard: Bites the opponent. Very fast.
• Diddy Kong: Headbutts the opponent.
• Donkey Kong: Chops the opponent with his hand.
• Falco: Kicks the opponent.
• Fox: Knees the opponent .
• Ganondorf: Knees the opponent.
• Ice Climbers: Headbutts the opponent.
• Ike: Headbutts the opponent.
• Ivysaur: Constricts the opponent with its vines.
• Jigglypuff: Hits the opponent with its tuft of hair.
• King Dedede: Headbutts the opponent.
• Kirby: Punches the opponent.
• Link: Hits the opponent with the hilt of his sword.
• Lucario: Hits the opponent with aura.
• Lucas: Headbutts the opponent. Inflicts the highest damage per second of all pummels.
• Luigi: Headbutts the opponent.
• Mario: Headbutts the opponent.
• Marth: Knees the opponent. Very fast.
• Meta Knight: Hits the opponent with the claws on his wings.
• Mr. Game & Watch: Hits the opponent with a bell.
• Ness: Headbutts the opponent. Very fast, but only if used in a certain rhythm. Can only force a ground break.
• Olimar: A Pikmin headbutts the opponent. Inflicts the second highest damage when it's white Pikmin.
• Pikachu: Zaps the opponent.
• Pit: Knees the opponent.
• Peach: Kicks the opponent's shins.
• R.O.B,: Squeezes the opponent quickly.
• Samus: Hits the opponent with her hand.
• Sheik: Hits the opponent with her hand.
• Snake: Chokes the opponent. Very fast, but can't force ground breaks.
• Sonic: Knees the opponent.
• Squirtle: Headbutts the opponent.
• Toon Link: Hits the opponent with the hilt of his sword.
• Wario: Punches the opponent in their gut.
• Wolf: Kicks the opponent. Like Falco's pummel, but much faster.
• Yoshi: Chews the opponent.
• Zelda: Hits the opponent with magical energy.
• Zero Suit Samus: Knees the opponent.