Movement usually takes years to master in Tekken -- lots of awkward cancels and unintuitive steps to force upon yourself until it's second nature. I'M HERE TO HELP!

I've collected the most useful ways to approach and execute movement in Tekken. If you follow this guide, it will not take you years of mastery. You'll be able to move like a pro in a few hours, not a few years. Even if you've got years invested into Tekken execution already, Hit Box will make your life (and hand health) much better.

Tip: These GIF videos are interactive! Play the GIF videos with sound.

Slow the video speed to slow motion. (PC Only)

Watch my fingers frame-by-frame by pausing the video and clicking 'Step Forward' (PC Only)

Mobile: If the videos are slowing framerate the further you scroll down, be sure to pause each GIF after you watch it to save ram: Tap speaker icon, then tap the video to start/stop.

Instant Dash

A Backdash requires Back, Neutral, Back. It's normally a slower input because you have to press and release a button, then press it again. But we have a much better way to dash!

Instant Dash, also known as SOCD Dash, allows you to move without any telegraphing or delay. (When you press Left + Right at the same time, they cancel each other out. Left + Right = Neutral)

Back (hold)

Back + Forward (Neutral) (cancel each other out)

Back (still held after releasing Forward)

You can also think of it as:

Back (hold)

Forward (tap)

The Forward tap gives you Neutral on press, and Back on release. I'll be referring to this simplified description of the inputs throughout. I think it reads much easier to refer to button taps.

With Instant Dash you can consistently input your dashes in 3 to 4 frames with this method. Also, continuing to hold Back allows you to block mids while attempting to create space!

Standard KBD (No Back Sway)

This is the original way to Korean Backdash, also known as the SOCD Backdash because it also uses Left + Right simultaneously. This way is much faster than tapping out [Back, Back, Down] over and over, and by holding Back you constantly block mid attacks while dashing.

Back (hold)

Down (tap)

Forward (tap)

You're essentially getting two actions out of each tapped input.

Tapping Down gives you Down-Back on press, and returns to Back on release.

Tapping Forward gives you Neutral (L + R = N) and releases to your second Back input.

Simply drum it out! But be sure to tap Down and then Forward individually. If you roll your fingers or press Down and Forward together at any point the dash won't come out. Make sure you tap one button at a time.

It's much more simple to perform than to explain. Just get your fingers on that controller and do some KBDs!

***Update***

For more methods on how to KBD with backflip characters, scroll below to the Update section ~2/3 down!

KBD (Jump Method)

Back (hold)

Jump (tap)

Forward (tap)

This is the fastest way to Korean Backdash. It's my preferred method, but there's a few things to highlight about it:

1. This requires your right hand to tap the Jump (Up) button.

2. You have to be quickly on and off the Jump and Forward buttons or else you'll accidentally jump. Be very quick and crisp on your tap inputs.

3. This does not work with the entire cast. Approx 1/3 of the characters, such as Nina and Alisa, perform a backflip instead and cannot cancel it into a dash. For these characters, please see the Standard KBD (no backsway) above, as well as the Update section further down the page.

Player 2 side:

Once you get the feel for this, there's no going back! You can Backdash Cancel sooooooo clean!

Sidestep Cancels Into Background

This is another input that we're using our right thumb on Jump (the Up button).

Jump (tap)

Forward (tap)

The quicker and more crisp you are on the buttons, the better you'll do. As you can see, same with KBDs, you can go way faster than what even makes sense. Each character has a unique feel and timing to get the most out of their sidestep cancels.

Sidestep Cancel Into Foreground (Method 1)

Down + Forward

Down (release Forward)

Neutral (release Down)

This feels like one input because you're simply releasing your fingers in a specific order. Tap the diagonal and let go of Forward first.

Sidestep Cancel Into Foreground (Method 2)

Method 2 is a bit harder, but let's you go really fast! I included it just for fun in case you really like to mash buttons like I do.

Down (hooked middle finger hits first)

Down + Forward (straight index finger hits second)

Down (straight index finger releases first)

Neutral ﻿(hooked middle finger releases second)

This is the exact same hooked middle finger technique I use in the EWGF tutorial for "honest" electrics. By bending your middle finger and straightening your index (or ring) you mechanically hit the two buttons one frame after the other without having to specifically time it.

In the GIF video above I am sidestep cancelling as fast as I can mash essentially because the [Down, Down-Forward, Down] is taken care of by my finger position, not my timing. I just act like I'm pressing down once.

Sidestep Into Foreground (Out of Crouch)

Down (hold)

Jump (tap) (Down + Up = Up)

Down (release)

Sidestep out of Crouch we're using SOCD Down + Up. We have been mostly talking about Left + Right in these tutorials, but the Hit Box behaves differently with Down + Up. Up will ALWAYS win out: Up > Down.

In tapping Jump it's important that you're on and off the button instantly. It's more of a button slap. The sooner you release Jump, the sooner you can release Down to complete the sidestep into foreground.

***Update***

The Tekken Pro Movement Guide got a big update -- so big it affects 1/3 of the cast! So if you play Alisa, Anna, Asuka, Eddy, Lars, Lee, Lili, Lucky Chloe, Master Raven, Nina, Noctis, Yoshimitsu, or Zafina, this is for you.

Some fellow community members brought to my attention that the given method for Korean Backdash was lacking -- and that is a fair critique. If you're forced to do such a highly repetitive motion such as KBD, it is best to have the most variety and accessibility as possible.

Back (hold)

Down (tap)

Forward (tap)

This works well, but it's not for everyone. The Standard KBD (No Back Sway) is not the most comfortable on P2 side. Why? It requires you to alternate two fingers that share a tendon; basically that your ring finger does not like to cooperate independently of your middle finger.

That's absolutely important for something as important as KBD. You're bound to be doing that motion hundreds of times during a play session. That's what this update is all about: giving you more options and accessibility! We want to minimize hand strain at Hit Box. So here we are: Please enjoy these alternative methods for Korean Back Dash on Player 2 side for backflip characters!

Standard KBD Reach Method

Back (hold) (right hand index finger)

Down (tap) (left hand)

Forward (tap) (left hand)





We're doing the same motion as the normal method, only we're sneaking our right hand's index finger over to make it much easier. By simply not having to anchor your index finger on Back, it takes a lot of the encumberment away from your left hand.

If you watch carefully, I'm demonstrating it three different ways with my Left Hand: Middle-Ring, Index-Ring, and Index-Middle. Pick any of them for how you prefer to use your left hand.

How do I sneak my right index finger over in a match? If you look at the first backdash, I'm using the drum method to get started.

Back (left Index Finger)

Back (right Index Finger)

That moves you into reach position. From there you still have access to your attacks, but you're in hyper movement mode.

KBD Reach Jump Method

Back (hold) (right index finger)

Forward + Jump (tap) (left hand) (Left + Up + Right = SOCD Up)

Forward (tap) (left hand) (Left + Right = SOCD Neutral)

This is an alternate method that completely eliminates your finger coordination. It is the most confusing because of all the SOCD mumbo jumbo, but it is definitely a contender for backflip characters on P2 side.

It also requires Reach Position, and I move into it with drumming the first backdash.

It is also worthy to note that it requires a clean Forward + Jump tap. If you peel away with your thumb being the last input released, you may accidentally get a backflip. Similarly, if you do not cancel the Jump into a backdash fast enough, you may neutral jump. Be sure to use a clean and crisp button tap!

KBD (Simple Method)

Back (tap)

Back (tap)

Jump (tap) (right thumb)

Minimalist? Don't care about fancy hand position changes? This is as simple and clean as it gets. Just tap away!

As with all Jump Methods, be sure to tap the jump button as quick as possible. Also find the best timing for your character's dash timing. It sounds like a horse, no? Or coconuts? Come, Patsy!

Instant Dash Method

Back (hold)

Back + Forward (tap) (cancel each other out)

Back (release)

Jump (tap) (right thumb)

This is a challenging method to master. However, it may be one of the most elegant and fluid ways. Before even practicing this, I recommend first mastering the Instant Dash technique:

Back (hold)

Forward (tap)



Please see the Instant Dash section at the beginning of this guide!

Once you're confident in your Instant Dash, all this KBD method does is add the Jump button with your right thumb. The inputs come out the exact same as the Simple Method: [Back * Back * Up].

And there we have it! Take your pick! Who doesn't like having the pick of the litter?

Congratz! You're moving like a pro. :D

Remember: These are some of the hardest techniques in the game! Rome wasn't built in a day, but I promise you that you'll master these techniques 10,000 times faster than you think! Be sure to ask in our Discord as well with any help on techniques!

Happy Training

HBDustin