Basic Side Steps

A side step in Tekken Tag is achieved by tapping up or down. Various characters have special attacks from the side step movement, check the character move lists for more details. Besides these side step attacks you also have other options during the side step animation including standard attacks or side step cancels. Take a look at the chart below for frame details.

 
Frame Window Face Forward Side Step
From 1st to 11th No blocking
From 8th to 43rd Attack input possible
From 24th to 43rd New motion input possible
At 43rd End of the side step animation
 

A side step can also be done while your character has his back turned towards the opponent. The chart below does not apply to Ling Xiaoyu or Lei Wulong as they have special back turned properties.
 
Frame Window Face Forward Side Step
From 1st to 21th No blocking
At 15th Change to face forward position
From 21st to 40th Possible to block
At 40th End of side step animation
 
 
Auto Side Step

Auto side step are done by holding up or down while blocking your opponent's attack. You will side step as soon as the block animation has ended. The following chart lists the moves after which you can auto side step while blocking and the direction in which you can side step.
In some cases this technique will avoid being forced to block the rest of the attacks if you select the correct way to side step, but in some other instances you get hit during the auto side step. The directions marked with a * indicate which way to side step to not get hit if at all possible.
 
Opponent Attack Side Step Direction
Lei Wulong f,N+1,2,1,2 (after 1st hit blocked) Your character's Left or Right
  f,N+1,2,1,2 (after 2nd hit blocked) Your character's Left* or Right (#1)
  f,N+1,2,1,2 (after 3rd hit blocked) Your character's Left or Right
Jin Kazama b,f+2,1,2 (after 2nd hit blocked) Your character's Left or Right*
Forest Law b+1,2,1 (after 1st hit blocked) Your character's Left or Right*
  b+1,2,1 (after 2nd hit blocked) Your character's Left* or Right
Gun Jack 2,1,2 (after 2nd hit blocked) Your character's Left or Right*
Jack 2 2,1,2 (after 2nd hit blocked) Your character's Left or Right*
Prototype Jack 2,1,2 (after 2nd hit blocked) Your character's Left or Right*
Kuma & Panda 2,1,2 (after 2nd hit blocked) Your character's Left or Right*
Paul Phoenix FC,d/f+2,1 (after 1st hit blocked) Your character's Left* or Right (#2)
  FC,d/f+2,2 (after 1st hit blocked) Your character's Left or Right
Heihachi Mishima b+2 Your character's Left* or Right*
  f+1,b+2,1(after 2nd hit blocked) Your character's Left* or Right*
Kunimitsu f+3+4 Your character's Left* or Right*
Kazuya Mishima d/f+1 Your character's Left* or Right*
Foot Notes#1 A Side Step Left after the 2nd blocked punch will cause the 3rd to hit but you will Side Step the 4th.
#2 If the 2nd hit is not delayed what so ever you will get hit regardless of the direction you Side Step to.