Left Splits Kick

Left Splits Kick
Left Splits Kick in Ultimate.
User	Kazuya
Universe	Tekken

Left Splits Kick (左踵落とし, Left Heel Drop) is one of several Command-input moves exclusive to Kazuya.

Overview

The player must perform → → + attack input. If done successfully, Kazuya stretches his left leg upwards and swings it downwards immediately after. It reflects projectiles from frame 7 onwards, with a 2.4× damage multiplier and incredible speed. It is the strongest reflector in the game damage-wise, resulting in extremely early KOs if it reflects an already strong projectile. The initial lunge when the attack is used effectively increases its attack range, including for reflecting projectiles, making it difficult to contest in the latter context. However, it is decently committal, requiring what's often an initial dash input to perform and having noticeable endlag, meaning Kazuya will often lose reflector wars or otherwise be punished for misuse. Also, its use as a physical attack has some niche benefits of decent damage and fast start-up, but is otherwise mediocre and is outclassed by other similar attacks like dash attack, which is also fast with more range, and down-forward tilt, which has a similar animation with the benefit of much higher shield damage and being a natural combo.

Origin

Heihachi performing Right Splits Kick in Tekken 7, a variant of the attack.

Left Splits Kick has existed since the original Tekken and has since become a staple on characters using Mishima-style fighting karate, but characters like Ogre have also been able to use it. The move is typically performed with →, →(held) + 3, though other characters have slightly different activation methods depending on the game. It's similar to Ryu's close heavy kick in the Street Fighter franchise. The ability to reflect projectiles is unique to Smash. Left Splits Kick is notorious for causing a 50/50 situation on block because of forcing the opponent into crouch. Heihachi Mishima has two versions of Left Splits Kick in Tekken 3, one forcing crouch on hit, and the other causing knockdown.

Trivia

• Out of all of Kazuya's command-input moves, Left Splits Kick is the only one that can utilise Negative Edge. This is because his other command-input moves are inputted during a Crouch Dash, which is recognised as a separate move.

Names in other languages

Language	Name
Japanese	左踵落とし
English	Left Splits Kick
French	Left Splits Kick
German	Left Splits Kick
Spanish	Left Splits Kick
Italian	Left Splits Kick
Chinese	Left Splits Kick
Korean	Left Splits Kick
Dutch	Linkerhieltrap
Russian	Вертикальный удар левой ногой