First step after split when being lobbed?

[irvine84]

Say when you approach the net, right after you split step and you realize you're being lobbed over and you decide to move backwards to play an overhead, what's the first step after the split? Shoud you move you left foot Forward (for a righty) to do a jab-cross step to move backward or you move you right foot backward first?

If you decide to run to you baseline instead playing smash mid court, should it be different?

 

[kreative]

i put my right foot back and start cross stepping back. if the lob is deep, i'll turn and sprint back to get to it in time. for me it's different if i choose to mid court smash or return to baseline b/c i can't cross step backwards fast enough to make it to the baseline, setup, and hit a good shot. i'd book it there to have as much time as possible to set up. mid court smash i would cross step back, keeping the ball in sight and get in position to smash.

 

[paulfreda]

First step after split on OH defense

My coach taught me to step forward with the left
foot and turn, then cross step back exacty like
a quarterback dropping back into the pocket
to make a pass.
The turn is critical as it keeps you from backing up
and puts you in a position to runback as fast as
you would like.
It is hard to turn if you first drop the right foot back.