Are you supposed to stand on your toes after split stepping?
- Thread starter New Daddy
- Start date
RanchDressing
Hall of Fame
Yeah.
Unless for some very very bizzare and super strange reason you are faster off your heels....
Do this.
Stand on your toes and try to jump one way or the other.
Then do that standing flat footed.
You will understand
Yes, but when the split step places you on your toes it also balances your weight at the same time. You weight will be balances and you are on your toes making it easier to react. It's difficult to move to the right if you are already leaning left, etc.
ProfoundBasic
Rookie
a player should always stand on his or her toes and maintain balance with or without split step.
agree?
btw, anyone know who invented 'split step'?
agree?
btw, anyone know who invented 'split step'?
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
The balls of your feet, not the toes. And you really should not be standing at the finish of the split step, you should be moving. If you are standing & waiting then perhaps you've executed the split step too early.
Don't know who "invented" it, but I really become aware of it when watching Steffi Graff play back in the 1980s -- she used a very obvious, pronounced split step on nearly every shot. Prior to that time, many players would use a deliberate split step only on serve receives and when coming to the net. Split steps in other situations were very subtle prior to Steffi.
Don't know who "invented" it, but I really become aware of it when watching Steffi Graff play back in the 1980s -- she used a very obvious, pronounced split step on nearly every shot. Prior to that time, many players would use a deliberate split step only on serve receives and when coming to the net. Split steps in other situations were very subtle prior to Steffi.
Thanks! That was really helpful.
This again reminds me of the paucity of good learning materials on footwork techniques.
I've collected quite a number of tennis textbooks but, lamentably, none seems to devote a serious segment on the footwork.
Fedace
Banned
Older guys should split Step as the ball bounces on the other side of the court. If you wait til the ball is about to be hit by your opponent, it is too late. Older you are the slower you feet and reaction time so that is what the pros teach.
Of course, if you are a Junior or Pro level player, you Wait til just before the ball is about to be struck to split step
Of course, if you are a Junior or Pro level player, you Wait til just before the ball is about to be struck to split step
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
^
As a somewhat older guy, I prefer to take my cue from my opponents racket rather than the bounce of the ball. I will initiate my split step on the start of the forward swing of their racket (or the upward swing for a serve). This means that I am starting the first part of the split step just prior to my opponent's ball contact. If I have timed it properly, I am landing my split step shortly after the ball leaves their racket and have a pretty good idea which direction I should move from the split step to play my next shot.
As I have mentioned previously, if you perform the split step too early you will find yourself waiting to see which direction the ball is headed. If the wait is any more than a slight hesitation, you have lost much of the effectiveness of the split step. More than not, I will land my split step fairly neutral = nearly equal weighting on both feet. If my split step is shade later, I will land primarily on one foot because I've already started to move in a particular direction to intercept the ball.
If you execute the split too late, you may find yourself wrong-footed -- moving in the wrong direction because your opponent has hit to a position that you are moving away from.
I have noticed that many pros and younger, quicker players will split step slightly later than I do. Many players will execute the split when they hear their opponent's ball contact. The exact timing of the split step will depend on your own age & foot speed as well as your reaction time & your ability to pick up the direction of your opponent's shot. It can vary, very slightly, with different situations.
The important thing to timing the split is to sync yourself to the rhythm of your opponent's serve or stroke. You don't want to split too early and wait or split too late and then try too change directions in mid-air.
As a somewhat older guy, I prefer to take my cue from my opponents racket rather than the bounce of the ball. I will initiate my split step on the start of the forward swing of their racket (or the upward swing for a serve). This means that I am starting the first part of the split step just prior to my opponent's ball contact. If I have timed it properly, I am landing my split step shortly after the ball leaves their racket and have a pretty good idea which direction I should move from the split step to play my next shot.
As I have mentioned previously, if you perform the split step too early you will find yourself waiting to see which direction the ball is headed. If the wait is any more than a slight hesitation, you have lost much of the effectiveness of the split step. More than not, I will land my split step fairly neutral = nearly equal weighting on both feet. If my split step is shade later, I will land primarily on one foot because I've already started to move in a particular direction to intercept the ball.
If you execute the split too late, you may find yourself wrong-footed -- moving in the wrong direction because your opponent has hit to a position that you are moving away from.
I have noticed that many pros and younger, quicker players will split step slightly later than I do. Many players will execute the split when they hear their opponent's ball contact. The exact timing of the split step will depend on your own age & foot speed as well as your reaction time & your ability to pick up the direction of your opponent's shot. It can vary, very slightly, with different situations.
The important thing to timing the split is to sync yourself to the rhythm of your opponent's serve or stroke. You don't want to split too early and wait or split too late and then try too change directions in mid-air.
10characters
kenshireen
Professional
Great explanation
I am tying to get my timing down on the SS...on a serve I will try to land my feet as the point of impact. However, can you help me out on the timing when I am at the net in doubles.
thank you
I am tying to get my timing down on the SS...on a serve I will try to land my feet as the point of impact. However, can you help me out on the timing when I am at the net in doubles.
thank you
ProfoundBasic
Rookie
Split adds one more timing issue for you. If that is the case, then don't split.
If you split, most likely you will be too late for a fast ball.
Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
Not sure I am going to agree with you. A split step can be performed by us "older guys" when a player is about ready to hit the ball. Performing a split-step does not require a person to perform it with the amount of lead time you are suggesting.
We are talking fractions of a second. It doesnt take that much training for an older player to learn how to time the split-step. In fact, being older and performing the split-step too soon could contribute to your weight being settled on your feet too much which defeats the split-step entirely.
A split-step is desgined to unwieght a person so they can almost instantaniously move in a certain direction. It suspends momentum in a certain direction and allows a person to land and move in the direction they need to go in.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
I do not agree with this philosophy. With a little bit of practice, one should be able to find the optimal timing of the split step for most shots. Once mastered, this syncing up to the opponent's stroke should make other timing concerns much simpler.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Check out posts #2 & 3 in the following thread. I like Solat's idea in this thread -- tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=2667674
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Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
This is the type of misinformation that goes around and around in tennis.
Here is the real scoop on the split-step:
1. ANYONE CAN LEARN IT.
2. The split-step is a timing move and does not require great physical attributes or a player being young to do it.
3. If you can still Hop-scotch, you can do the split-step.
4. Since the split-step is a timing issue, it needs to be practiced. Much like you practice your forehand and the timing of your forehand.
5. The split-step is a simple move that UNWEIGHTS you off your feet for a brief moment in time and is used to help you change directions quickly.
6. Thinking about when to perform the split-step and being able to quickly move in the direction you should go takes practice. It is a timing thing, so it must be practiced. You can't walk on the court and perform a split-step automatically. You can perform it without the timing part. It is the timing part that needs to be developed.
7. If you have a hard time performing the split-step coming to net, you can substitute this with very quick short steps (I call it squeeky shoes) to change directions quickly. However, I would still recommend the split-step.
8. The split-step can be performed in your living room. You can do it while watching a tennis match!!!!! Try and perform your split-step when the pro receiving the ball is just about to hit it. If you can see the other player in the TV see if you guys match.
9. Again, the split-step is very easy to perform. The timing part simply needs to be practiced and should be practiced.
10. The split-step is a basic footwork pattern that many times preceeds your other footwork patterns.
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split-step
Professional
Actually, it is the reverse that is true. you are more likely to be late for a fast shot if you don't split-step.
(only exception being if you have coughed up a short floater that your opponent is going to punish. If you anticipate correctly and guess the side you will get there faster than if you split-stepped at contact)
Il Mostro
Banned
Great explanations by SA and BB. I find the split step to be the essential set point for me to smoothly execute gravity and carioca steps, which are pretty much my bread and butter. Sort of the precursor to all rhythmic movement on the court. And good footwork is the gateway to good shots, for me at least.
ProfoundBasic
Rookie
You can hop and hit a speedy volley within 0.5 sec at net exchanges, good for you.
You have many "if" conditions of sync. I rather sync the timing than 'hopping'. That just me.
For guys love to hop, get on the court and hop on every ball. But, whenever you forget to hop, think about "Split adds one more timing issue for you. If that is the case, then don't split."
I don't see people hop on every shot!
Have fun!
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Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
Another misconception and poor understanding of the split-step and what it is.
The split-step is not performed in isolation. A person doesnt hop, he unweights and moves almost immediately.
This is what you are talking about which is an exaggeration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQtOcKxaAhU&feature=related
The little girl in the video above is performing an exaggerated "hop" for her split-step. This is only used for training and development not for real play. This is a drill that is for a particular reason.
When you perform a split-step for real, the feet should leave the ground slightly before you have already decided in which direction you need to move. This is very quickly followed up with a push-off and a step-out, or the gravity step to move in the direction you have determined to move. You do not want to come off the ground too high or you will be late in your movement.
All the split-step does is resets your movement and should largely go unnoticed and unexaggerated. It should flow with your movement and provide you with the ability to move in any direction through a push-off or gravity step manuever.
Watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVwPRKh1Mdk&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWGQNyvR7so&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDR9CqSVpok&feature=related
Some of the benefits of learning and using the split-step:
1. It is a natural lead in to other footwork patterns.
2. It allows you to change directions quickly.
3. It helps keep your feet apart.
4. It helps with your timing (when you get it down).
5. It helps improve your concentration and focus on what you are doing.
6. It helps keep your feet moving.
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split-step
Professional
Then you don't watch high level tennis. Unless you are blind every pro player, (including challengers, futures etc), college players even 5.0s do this.
It is at lower levels where you can get away with sloppy footwork and foot patterns that you don't see the split-step.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l17H1a6odc4&NR=1
Watch Federer and Youzhny in this clip.
Youzhny split steps on every shot. the only shot he doesn't split step on is when it is clearly obvious after his topspin backhand up the line, that Federer is going to hit to the open court. He runs to cover the court. This is in the same vein of the exception in my previous post.
Have fun not split-stepping and watching winners go by you.
split-step
Professional
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tZhQi8aDcg
Watch and learn. Focus on the feet. Be one with your split step :twisted:
Watch and learn. Focus on the feet. Be one with your split step :twisted:
split-step
Professional
Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
Please...he has a more pronounced split-step coming off a service return (which most do) when he is going from barely moving to moving. The rest of the time he moves and performs his split-step normally which can vary based on his movement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9nC8w9Jjjo
