Do you split step on return of serve?

[jdubbs]

Went to the SAP Open this week, and watched for little things I could pick up from the pros. One thing I noticed was that all of the players were starting 2-3 feet behind the baseline, and moving forward while split stepping on return of serve. When I see most amateurs, hardly anybody does this. Interesting.

Here's a vid that discusses it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtm6GcFRRX0

So I tried it yesterday with ok results, found it was a little hard to get the timing down, but I am going to stick with it. Do you do this? What has your experience been?

 

[SweetH2O]

I usually try to split step, but like you said I have trouble finding the timing of it sometimes. One thing I've realized as I've used it more is that I was "jumping" too high when I first experimented with it. Now it's just more of a shuffling of the feet low to the ground and that has helped with the timing.

 

[Larrysümmers]

it is a big part. i kind of do a shuffle in place type dealeo. then when they toss i start to move up, and when they make contact i split. really helps me on the return

 

[Jaewonnie]

A lot of pros also split step when warming up there groundstrokes.

As for the timing issues, split steps are suppposed to be a natural reaction to an incoming shot. So you might need to find a rhythm first like hopping on either foot.

 

[Larrysümmers]

A lot of pros also split step when warming up there groundstrokes.

As for the timing issues, split steps are suppposed to be a natural reaction to an incoming shot. So you might need to find a rhythm first like hopping on either foot.

i agree. i do it as a reminder to move my feet, not to get lazy and lunge at the incoming serve.

 

[dominikk1985]

It has to be early. The split step should not be at contact but slightly before (not too early though-about the time the forward swing starts). in that way you land about at contact and can react from then.

if you split step at contact you will be late.

 

[toly]

Went to the SAP Open this week, and watched for little things I could pick up from the pros. One thing I noticed was that all of the players were starting 2-3 feet behind the baseline, and moving forward while split stepping on return of serve. When I see most amateurs, hardly anybody does this. Interesting.

Here's a vid that discusses it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtm6GcFRRX0

So I tried it yesterday with ok results, found it was a little hard to get the timing down, but I am going to stick with it. Do you do this? What has your experience been?

Never is able to understand this idea - “split step”. I believe, we are just wasting our very valuable return preparation time by using split step. But I’m not sure about that.

 

[Ash_Smith]

Every player should split step on every contact their opponant makes! Return of serve and on the first volley should be the biggest (feet widest on landing) split steps as these shots require the biggest change of direction with the least reation time (generally) Split step on return shout be 2 or 3 times shoulder width on landing.

Cheers

Ash

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

Never is able to understand this idea - “split step”. I believe, we are just wasting our very valuable return preparation time by using split step. But I’m not sure about that.

Your split step puts you slightly in the air as your opponent contacts the serve, so as you land you already know where the serve is going and you can push off better to cover it. A properly timed split step aids preparation time rather than hindering it.

 

[Larrysümmers]

Your split step puts you slightly in the air as your opponent contacts the serve, so as you land you already know where the serve is going and you can push off better to cover it. A properly timed split step aids preparation time rather than hindering it.

yeah a good spilt step is def an asset when it comes to any shot in tennis. i feel blessed to have a good one due to all the years playing baseball lol

 

[Manus Domini]

@OP, I always split step. Faster reaction time, better everything, less reaching more reach

Never is able to understand this idea - “split step”. I believe, we are just wasting our very valuable return preparation time by using split step. But I’m not sure about that.

I would thought a prestigious physicist could figure it out. Basically, you are in air almost at contact, and just after contact when you know where the shot is going, you are on ground pushing off with a boost to reach ball faster. Aids reaction time quite a bit.

 

[anontennis]

Yep, I find it helps keep me on my toes ready to move wherever I need to move.

One thing I have trouble with; split stepping and the footwork for volleys. For some reason I find myself flat footed in this situation. Perhaps I just need to get in better shape to split step from a lower position?

Either way, to call it a waste is to ignore the people who play this game for a living; if it was a waste, they wouldn't do it.

 

[toly]

Thank you Djokovicfan4life and Manus Domini, you have very good point!
But, I thought the main idea of the split step is to put players on the balls of their feet, in order to get more active position. However, I can do the same thing just by tilting my body a little bit forward. In this case, preparation time would be shorter (or not?) than jumping into air. Is it wrong action?

 

[KenC]

I think the split step is crucial at higher levels of play. Its a great way to explode in any direction. The key is to have your legs charged and ready to explode at the same moment you have figured out which direction the ball is going.

I do it every shot without even thinking about it. Serves, baseline, net. I should probably stop doing it when I am really far out of position, but spending my whole life with coaches who harp day in and day out about footwork being the key to great tennis has made this a habit.

 

[Larrysümmers]

the little hop gets me on the balls of my feet, and knees ready to spring to adirection. i tried just tilting and it lead to crappy footwork.

 

[toly]

the little hop gets me on the balls of my feet, and knees ready to spring to adirection. i tried just tilting and it lead to crappy footwork.

Good point. Thank you.

 

[Manus Domini]

Thank you Djokovicfan4life and Manus Domini, you have very good point!
But, I thought the main idea of the split step is to put players on the balls of their feet, in order to get more active position. However, I can do the same thing just by tilting my body a little bit forward. In this case, preparation time would be shorter (or not?) than jumping into air. Is it wrong action?

A few things:

1] it is not a jump, but a super-small hop (1'' at most)

2] It creates a springboard effect. Try this exercise to determine which is faster: have someone serve to you randomly. First few, do what you do normally. Second few, split step properly. Which has you at the ball first?

3] If that was improper, Federer wouldn't have perfect footwork, would he?

 

[Fedace]

Went to the SAP Open this week, and watched for little things I could pick up from the pros. One thing I noticed was that all of the players were starting 2-3 feet behind the baseline, and moving forward while split stepping on return of serve. When I see most amateurs, hardly anybody does this. Interesting.

Here's a vid that discusses it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtm6GcFRRX0

So I tried it yesterday with ok results, found it was a little hard to get the timing down, but I am going to stick with it. Do you do this? What has your experience been?

Yea i think for amateurs, it is easier to do just 1 step Forward. Easier to Time. and i get the same effect. It is mainly to have your weight going forward as you start the motion to return. so that you don't get pushed around by big serves. and i feel like it gives me more accuracy as well.

 

[toly]

A few things:

1] it is not a jump, but a super-small hop (1'' at most)

2] It creates a springboard effect. Try this exercise to determine which is faster: have someone serve to you randomly. First few, do what you do normally. Second few, split step properly. Which has you at the ball first?

3] If that was improper, Federer wouldn't have perfect footwork, would he?

Guys, you convinced me. I capitulate.

 

[GetBetterer]

I do it all the time for a timing purpose. As soon as the ball goes up in the air, I split step.

 

[Fuji]

I split step for almost every single shot, regardless of what I'm doing. It just happened naturally for me because I was in Taekwondo for over half my life, where it is taught to be second nature. I find it helps me prepare for my shots early. I'm rarely ever hitting late with split step.

-Fuji

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Went to the SAP Open this week, and watched for little things I could pick up from the pros. One thing I noticed was that all of the players were starting 2-3 feet behind the baseline, and moving forward while split stepping on return of serve. When I see most amateurs, hardly anybody does this. Interesting.

Here's a vid that discusses it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtm6GcFRRX0

So I tried it yesterday with ok results, found it was a little hard to get the timing down, but I am going to stick with it. Do you do this? What has your experience been?

Before the days of Steffi Graf, we saw players executing the split in primarily 2 situations. One of these was when approaching the net after an approach shot. The other situation was for serve return. Performing a split step when the ball is served is nothing new.

Graf had a very dynamic (pronounced) split step on almost every single shot. This is when many of us realized that the split-step was not just for returning serve and for the first volley any more.

The timing is a bit tricky for the serve because servers have different serving rhythms. You need to find the rhythm of a given server and sync yourself to that rhythm. I will take a single step forward (with either foot) as the tossing arm rises. When the servers racket head drops (from the trophy) and starts on it way up to the ball, I will then initiate my split step. If I've timed it correctly, I'll be landing the split step just after the server has contact the ball -- I should have a pretty good idea when I land which way I'll need to start moving.

Try to think of the rhythm as 1-2-3. The '1' will sometimes (often) be long followed by a quick 2-3. Oooooooone-two-three. The '1' corresponds to the first step (during th tossing action). The quick 2-3 is the split-step itself.

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

Huh, I was not aware that Steffi was the first to use the split step for every shot.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Steffi is also credited with inventing sliced bread and the internet.

Huh, I was not aware that Steffi was the first to use the split step for every shot.

Was not saying that she was the first. However, her split step was so overt (pronounced), that it was obvious to those who watched her that it was to be used on almost all of an opponent's shots. Prior to that, in the 70s and 80s, the split step was taught almost exclusively for serve return and for net approaches.
.

 

[eliza]

I am happy now you tell me is what Pros do........ what you call "split step"is a staple in my return (do not you guys move your weight from one leg to the other, while waiting for the server to hit?), but I do not see anybody around doing the same....

 

[eliza]

I split step for almost every single shot, regardless of what I'm doing. It just happened naturally for me because I was in Taekwondo for over half my life, where it is taught to be second nature. I find it helps me prepare for my shots early. I'm rarely ever hitting late with split step.

-Fuji

I am curious Fuji: how the split is used in that discipline?

 

[kl2963]

Yep, I was taught to split step and have been doing it ever since... works great for me. It took a little time to get use to the timing

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I am curious Fuji: how the split is used in that discipline?

The split step is used in numerous other sports as well as martial arts -- badminton, volleyball, baseball, hopscotch, etc.

http://www.sports-split-step.com

Tennis & the Martial Arts
.

 

[J_R_B]

I always split step on returns.

 

[FloridaAG]

Always do it (except when being lazy against weak servers). Frankly as you advance in tennis and against good servers (with both pace and placement) - it is my experience that if you do not split step when receiving you are in deep deep trouble and simply will not be able to effectively return. Frankly the timing depends on both you and the timing and motion of the server and is one of those puzzles that you have to figure out if you are playing an unknown opponent. I use my opponent's warm-up serves to practice timing my split-step

 

[rk_sports]

I do it sometime.. want to do it all the time.. but get lazy to do it

On a related note... for those who dont believe in split step.. Murray was commenting about Dolgopolov's serve after his match at AO.. (paraphrasing) "...it was hard to adjust my split step beccuse he (Dolgopolov) has such a quick service motion...I was able to read his serve but could not adjust well to return.."

 

[sureshs]

I am happy now you tell me is what Pros do........ what you call "split step"is a staple in my return (do not you guys move your weight from one leg to the other, while waiting for the server to hit?), but I do not see anybody around doing the same....

That is not split step. Many people do the shifting of weight. A true split step has both feet up in the air at the same time.

 

[jdubbs]

Yeah, the split step on the return of serve is a step forward, little hop, plant, and return. Most of the pros I see do this, though Verdasco appears to step more in place than forward.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Yeah, the split step on the return of serve is a step forward, little hop, plant, and return. Most of the pros I see do this, though Verdasco appears to step more in place than forward.

The Verdasco variation will work ok for some. Some players will even take a step back and then split step. I'd encourage the step forward version but the bottom line is that you should use the variation that suits you best.

 

[kevsaenz]

I usually take a few steps then split step. The forward momentum helps you react faster and the split step sets you up to better change directions to adjust to the serve.

 

[eliza]

That is not split step. Many people do the shifting of weight. A true split step has both feet up in the air at the same time.

BEFORE the split......................................

 

[sureshs]

BEFORE the split......................................

Yes. You then land with the feet split and leaning in the required direction. But if you don't jump in the air, it is not a split step.

 

[dak95_00]

I don't know if I split step because I've never thought about it. I do try to move forward and into the ball when I swing. The forward press as I think of it w/ my bodyweight allows me to send the ball back hard and flatter than my normal shots and puts most of my opponents in a very defensive position as they aren't used to people returning their serves so hard. If I don't move into the shot, I send back a weak defensive ball that allows my opponents to take the offensive position in the point immediately.

Against very good players, there is no way to guarantee I'm going to not hit some defensive balls back but the weight shift helps me do it less often.

 

[LeeD]

Would love to, but at my age, if I did, I'd not have any energy left to hit the next anticipated shot, or to move over to there.
Most infielders in baseball do not splitstep, neither do taichi or karate guys.
As for reactions, no motocross rider splitsteps before his gate drops.

 

[Jonny S&V]

Would love to, but at my age, if I did, I'd not have any energy left to hit the next anticipated shot, or to move over to there.

From a physiological stand-point, you're completely wrong.

 

[ReopeningWed]

Would love to, but at my age, if I did, I'd not have any energy left to hit the next anticipated shot, or to move over to there.
Most infielders in baseball do not splitstep, neither do taichi or karate guys.
As for reactions, no motocross rider splitsteps before his gate drops.

Those are completely different sports.
In baseball, if the ball is coming your way, you're already there. Don't forget that tennis courts and baseball fields are totally different in size and scale.

Martial artists aren't going to cover 20 feet with some explosive movement and cover the length of a ring multiple times. No split step needed.

Motocross should be self explanatory for someone of even YOUR intelligence.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Split step in baseball & softball

What we call the split step in tennis may go by another name in other disciplines. Also, footwork in these other discplines may not always manifest the "split step" with an overt hop as we see in tennis.

Quite often, the "split step" in badminton is much subtler. Sometimes, there is no discernible hop --the COG (& the body) may suddenly drop so that the body experiences a temporary unweighting just prior to (or during) shuttle contact by an opponent in order to move quickly in any direction.

Volleyball, football, baseball, softball , wrestling (a martial art) and many other sports also use a variation of the tennis "split step". I've discussed this with a college baseball coach and he indicated to me that this is something that is taught to infielders. Here is a video that shows a very discernible split step by a 3rd baseman (see 0:47):

http://www.youtube.com/user/BikerVic1#p/u/11/yR-oRkQhqvU

Wrestling:

http://www.youtube.com/user/BikerVic1#p/u/0/o293z-z2bHI
.

 

[LeeD]

RE, your being picky.
In baseball, the ball is not always coming at you.
In martial arts, you have to react to your opponent's movement, just like reacting to a tennis serve.
In motocross, it's the INSTANT reaction time that gives you the start, and split stepping doesn't help at all.
I'd not pick a sport like women's softball to illustrate split stepping in pro baseball. Girls tend to do as taught, while guys in PRO baseball do what works.
And you don't split step in air hockey. Ever see a goalie split step?

 

[tennisgod111]

The simple answer is yes. You should split step every single time your oppenant makes contact with the ball - this is to enable you to get the ball quicker with potentially less effort!

The higher the split step the more time you have to think about what shot it is - meaning you can push off in the correct direction.

Hope this helps

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

RE, your being picky.
In baseball, the ball is not always coming at you.
In martial arts, you have to react to your opponent's movement, just like reacting to a tennis serve.
In motocross, it's the INSTANT reaction time that gives you the start, and split stepping doesn't help at all.
I'd not pick a sport like women's softball to illustrate split stepping in pro baseball. Girls tend to do as taught, while guys in PRO baseball do what works.
And you don't split step in air hockey. Ever see a goalie split step?

Too picky? No, not really. Split steps and similar footwork in other sports has a similar function that it does in tennis -- it is usually a timing move that primes the leg muscles to move in any direction (or in 1 of several possible directions). Wrestling is not the only martial art that has the concept of a "split step". Serreda footwork in Eskrima talks about split step movements.

As mentioned previously, I've been told by a college baseball coach that split steps are taught to infielders. The softball video showing a split step just happened to be the first one I came across in a relatively short time. In the following baseball instruction video, it is fairly obvious that a split step is employed (even tho' the coach does not actually use the term "split step"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic6AYvPf9dY&playnext=1&list=PLA314C648873D5992

I asked the same thing of a college soccer coach (who played soccer at a D1 level). She had indicated the "split step" type footwork is employed in soccer as well.
.

 

[smucker007]

I'd bet if the returner does the splits...it'll confuse the server and he'll probably miss his serve!

All kidding aside, I always try to split step..and ingrane it into everyone I teach and play with. Split step is not just a hop up and down..cuz I've seen people split and all they do is hop up and down..and the weight is still on their heels.