J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
When does it really become necessary?
J
J
How good can you get without split stepping?
- Thread starter J011yroger
- Start date
golden chicken
Hall of Fame
When the pace of hitting means you are in need of every split second to react and get to the ball.
FiReFTW
Legend
My footwork is one of the things im lacking the most, its nowhere near decent yet, but I do make small strides forward every month.
I noticed lately that once I started split stepping and being on a wide base on the balls of my feet, I started to get to balls I couldn't even imagine being able to get to before.
So regarding your question, I would guess not particularly good.
I noticed lately that once I started split stepping and being on a wide base on the balls of my feet, I started to get to balls I couldn't even imagine being able to get to before.
So regarding your question, I would guess not particularly good.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
You can win many tournaments in Poland without split stepping.
3loudboys
G.O.A.T.
Essential for serious game development at all levels IMO. Even at lower club levels the player who splits and moves to ball with better prep has a better chance than their heavy legged counterpart.
The higher the level then the more emphasis on movement and legs.
How’s yours?
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
4.75
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
I suppose if you NEVER split step, like ever, and trained that way you could probably be a decent enough players up through 4.0. I see enough hack balling and out of shape guys bunt their way up to 4.0 anyway, remvoing a split step wouldn't kill anything. But thinking about 4.5 I haven't seen or played anyone who doesn't at least hop a bit.
3loudboys
G.O.A.T.
Being on your toes with an intent to react and move early even without a textbook split is a huge advantage. I've stopped teaching split steps in adult beginner/intermediate groups as it wasn't effective, saying something like be ready, react early worked better. If they were waiting on their heels and then improved that to leaning forward and looking ready, I'd see that as a big improvement.
I've tried improving mine for the ROS, I added more forward momentum. I also experimented with the timing to see if that helped.
How about conducting an experiment: Try playing people you've played before but don't let yourself split step, see how you get on.
I've tried improving mine for the ROS, I added more forward momentum. I also experimented with the timing to see if that helped.
How about conducting an experiment: Try playing people you've played before but don't let yourself split step, see how you get on.
Last edited:
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
"Being on your toes with an intent to react and move early even without a textbook split is a huge advantage."
lol ... I almost answered Jolly's question with a question:
How strict is his definition of split step? If ttw grades it like it grades the ATP flip ... none of us are doing it.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
topspn
G.O.A.T.
LOL I suck but play 4.5
topspn
G.O.A.T.
All I’m saying is...split is to gain balance and be ready to quickly react. What i do is slight variation which is quick tiny little stutter steps that get you in balance and react.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
If you sing while playing tennis the stutter will go away.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
WestboroChe
Hall of Fame
But what if you cross the border into Slovakia?You can win many tournaments in Poland without split stepping.
atp2015
Hall of Fame
Can't cross the border without splitting
WestboroChe
Hall of Fame
Split step is a bit of a misnomer. I think people hear split step and they think they should put their feet far far apart. The split step is really a technique to get you onto the balls of your feet and ready to move quickly.
So assuming you don’t have a really strict definition of split step I’d say you really can’t progress beyond advanced beginner if you don’t do something approximating a split step.
So assuming you don’t have a really strict definition of split step I’d say you really can’t progress beyond advanced beginner if you don’t do something approximating a split step.
WestboroChe
Hall of Fame
I sometimes sing to myself to avoid getting tight. Keeps me from thinking too much about the score or whatever I’m doing. Like if I’m serving out a set I’ll sing a little hip hop chorus to myself while starting my routine. It helps.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
My singing is bad ... so bad it would be terrible even just in my head.
WestboroChe
Hall of Fame
You don’t have to sing. You can just sing talk like Nellie or Rex Harrison.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
WestboroChe
Hall of Fame
You must have excellent focus then. I’m always thinking about if my strings are too tight or too loose or did I hit with the right grip there or what I have to do after I’m done playing. It’s why I live the game. It’s a real mental challenge for me.
5263
G.O.A.T.
when you play good players relative to YOU. A big hitter like yourself makes it a bit less important because it's tough to move you around much,... but playing against your bigger shots, the other guy better split...
S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
I've seen the stutter used more in the context of S&V: instead of splitting and arresting forward momentum a lot, stuttering and allowing more of your forward momentum to stay intact. It's unlikely you're going to get lobbed off of the return although you do have to worry about someone hitting extreme DTL or CC.
Sampras excelled at this.
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
I think when you're playing against lesser level players you can get away with it. I try to split step on every ball. I was playing doubles the other day and my opponents had a really weak serve. The pace was so slow it made no sense to split step on my return of serve, but I reminded myself to split on every ball regardless of the pace. My thought process is stick to your basics, regardless of what level your playing against.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
I also do it on serve returns and play so much better if i can get my feet to do it on every ball.
S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
Interesting: I've never seen it done on a return. I was only thinking about when I have significant forward momentum.
Gregory Diamond
Professional
Not only in Poland. Split step is usually a waste of energy.You can win many tournaments in Poland without split stepping.
3loudboys
G.O.A.T.
Why is the split step a waste of energy? What are the alternatives and how have they benefited you?
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
His alternative is not to split step. His evidence that it is unnecessary is that he has won many tournaments in Poland without split stepping.
3loudboys
G.O.A.T.
His alternative is not to split step. His evidence that it is unnecessary is that he has won many tournaments in Poland without split stepping.
Guess it works for him in the tournaments and age group he competes in.
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yup. His position on this is quite firm, too. He also firmly believes that the 2hfh is superior to the 1hfh and is the fh of the future.
3loudboys
G.O.A.T.
Yup. His position on this is quite firm, too. He also firmly believes that the 2hfh is superior to the 1hfh and is the fh of the future.
Always felt that two handed strokes were so much more dependent on good footwork and prep - would suggest a proactive split would help in its execution. Must do a tournie in Poland....
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Gregory Diamond
Professional
3loudboys
G.O.A.T.
Nice tennis - looks to me like your opponent splits irregularly and you not at all. Your movement, timing and prep would be better with a split step - essential if play at a higher level.
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Gregory Diamond
Professional
I understand why split step is popular but I think that it is effective only on high professional level when they serve 220 km/h. This continuous jumping is very tiring and the only result is chaos. You lose concentration.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Don’t bother trying to convince the old guy. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Especially when the old dog is content in his ways.
RajS
Semi-Pro
Actually, your movement is very good! You may not be aware of what you are doing, but it looks to me like your feet are always moving when the pace picks up. I would say this is more likely the secret of your success, than your two handed forehand (which also looks very good).
Split-stepping on every shot is tiring, for sure, but I understand why it is essential for higher level tennis. Heck, trying to do proper footwork tires the hell out of me, lol!
BulldogLouisiana
Rookie
Don’t bother trying to convince the old guy. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Especially when the old dog is content in his ways.
How can you stop an old dog from teaching new tricks?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yeah. You definitely don’t want to see an old dog turning new tricks. Not a pleasant sight.
S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
Don’t bother trying to convince the old guy. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Especially when the old dog is content in his ways.
...and winning practically every tournament he plays. I suppose if I was that successful I might be disinclined to change anything also.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yup. Didn’t say there was anything wrong with him not wanting to change. I simply said he is content in his ways. Like you said, he’s winning so why change.
I was saying he’s not gonna change cuz he doesn’t want to.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I don’t agree with him advocating others eliminate the split just because it works for him. He’s probably a unique specimen. It works for him. Similar to Johnny Mac. Just because his stroke technique works for him, I wouldn’t recommend anyone else try to model their techniques after McEnroe.
