Short (SL2 x SL2)-structures on Lie algebras

S-structures on Lie algebras, introduced by Vinberg, represent a broad generalization of the notion of gradings by abelian groups. Gradings by, not necessarily reduced, root systems provide many examples of natural S-structures. Here we deal with a situation not covered by these gradings: the short (SL2 x SL2)-structures, where the reductive group is the simplest semisimple but not simple reductive group. The algebraic objects that coordinatize these structures are the J-ternary algebras of Allison, endowed with a nontrivial idempotent.