How many of you split step?

Do you split step?

  • Yes

    Votes: 40 90.9%
  • No

    Votes: 2 4.5%
  • What’s a split step?

    Votes: 2 4.5%

  • Total voters
    44

rkw

New User
For really slow balls, split step is not really that important.
When the ball is coming fast, split step happens naturally.
 

Knox

Semi-Pro
even when in a cooperative there’s a big difference in preparation when I split and when I don’t split.

I’m gonna guess you play a lower level, and the ball is moving so slow, and you just pushing the ball back (ie no need to fight for optimal positioning if you’re just gonna block the ball back)

My best player is UTR 9, and I feed him breadsticks. Is that a low level?
 

Knox

Semi-Pro
even when in a cooperative there’s a big difference in preparation when I split and when I don’t split.

I’m gonna guess you play a lower level, and the ball is moving so slow, and you just pushing the ball back (ie no need to fight for optimal positioning if you’re just gonna block the ball back)

You got me thinking now... I was definitely drilled to split step as a kid, I had totally forgot that stuff. I probably don't even realize I do it. Now I gotta check.
 
D

Deleted member 23235

Guest
My best player is UTR 9, and I feed him breadsticks. Is that a low level?
lol, that’s pretty damn good. better than me. i’m utr9. then i’m amazed you don’t consider split step a critical part of movement to every shot. I can see not splitting when playing someone much weaker and i’m just being lazy, otherwise to me, optimal movement always involves a split step (for every shot unless you’re behind (eg reaction shots or scrambling)
 
D

Deleted member 23235

Guest
You got me thinking now... I was definitely drilled to split step as a kid, I had totally forgot that stuff. I probably don't even realize I do it. Now I gotta check.
If i learned as a kid I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t even realize you’re just doing it automatically every time.
 

Knox

Semi-Pro
lol, that’s pretty damn good. better than me. i’m utr9. then i’m amazed you don’t consider split step a critical part of movement to every shot. I can see not splitting when playing someone much weaker and i’m just being lazy, otherwise to me, optimal movement always involves a split step (for every shot unless you’re behind (eg reaction shots or scrambling)

It's possible that this is actually a deficiency in my coaching game, because I certainly do split step when playing at competitive pace, although I never actually think about it. However, I never drill split step with my players outside of specific contexts like returning serves and overheads and whatnot. Maybe I should be.

That being said, there are certain elements of the coaching progressions I use (mostly MTM) that could be considered to serve the same purpose as the split step. I'm gonna have to experiment with this and see what my players think. They get the final word.
 

ubercat

Hall of Fame
I never knew about the split step. So I'm trying to bring it into my game. But I've also got Achilles niggles so I don't want to hop around too much.

I found the ss improves my return of serve.

And doing a wide split step when you've hit a rubbish shot which is about to get creamed that lets you do a drop step to start your sprint.

I think it's non-negotiable in those two scenarios
 

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
It's possible that this is actually a deficiency in my coaching game, because I certainly do split step when playing at competitive pace, although I never actually think about it. However, I never drill split step with my players outside of specific contexts like returning serves and overheads and whatnot. Maybe I should be.

That being said, there are certain elements of the coaching progressions I use (mostly MTM) that could be considered to serve the same purpose as the split step. I'm gonna have to experiment with this and see what my players think. They get the final word.

According to Tim Mayotte it's a deficiency in the US coaching establishment.

J
 

ARKustom93

Professional
To win long matches we should eliminate unnecessary effort. I understand the idea of split step but there are serious consequences of this technique. If you did it once and I didnt you would get to the ball faster but if we did it 100 times on average I would be faster and what is equally important I would have strength in the legs to hit the ball with greater force and precision. I win a lot of tournaments because I move economically.

Sorry, but NO on all three.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
To win long matches we should eliminate unnecessary effort. I understand the idea of split step but there are serious consequences of this technique. If you did it once and I didnt you would get to the ball faster but if we did it 100 times on average I would be faster and what is equally important I would have strength in the legs to hit the ball with greater force and precision.

It depends on what shape you're in. If 100 split steps makes an appreciable difference in how I move, I need to get in better shape, not dispense with the split steps.

Also, how much energy does 100 split steps represent relative to my overall expenditure during a match? 50%? 10%? 1%?. I'd argue it's a lot closer to 1% than 50% or even 10%. Chasing down a couple of lobs might be more energy than 100 split steps and I'm certainly going to chase those shots.

Finally, what benefit do I get from those 100 split steps? That's unknowable but I'm willing to pay the price in order to be as ready as possible. It could very well turn out that I didn't need any of those 100 split steps and the next match I'm still going to split step because I believe in the long-run, I will benefit.

I win a lot of tournaments because I move economically.

Previously, you stated the only difference between you and your opponents was your 2HFH.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...disabled-one-hand.618092/page-3#post-12349559
 

Gazelle

G.O.A.T.
I stopped doing it a few months ago. Now I play better. I suppose I was doing it wrong, never really found the correct timing of the split step I guess.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
If i learned as a kid I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t even realize you’re just doing it automatically every time.

I had never heard the term split step until ttw. My guess is if we watched any successful tournament singles player from my generation, we were doing something efficient (probably split step or similar) with our feet. We just didn't know the term. For example, it was common knowledge to start moving in on ros against a big server. The thought wasn't to "split step", but rather have forward momentum that made it easier/quicker to react laterally. Hard to imagine that wasn't landing as a split step ... or split step adjacent. That said ... I do not remember a bunch of baseline high hopping from opponents.
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
Almost always in heavy practice and always in matches. When doing light hits or working on mechanics, not so much.


Probably posting from the court between sets.
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
And athletic hop is being employed more and more in many sports. I have been trying to get out volley ball team to use it.


Probably posting from the court between sets.
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
I suppose I was doing it wrong, never really found the correct timing of the split step I guess.

I hear you as for about a year I was doing it late and/or too high...Not sure I'm timing it well now either, but it seems better.
 
D

Deleted member 23235

Guest
i was trying to remember the first time i formally learned about the split step...

it was either from here (2004)
https://books.google.com/books?id=B...oAQhEMAY#v=onepage&q=tennis drop step&f=false

or here:
http://www.revolutionarytennis.com/step2.html#gravity (back in 2002?)

2005: https://www.apbelt.com/Technique_Lab/ARSteps3.html

the ideal "split step" to me, is not a hop.. it's actually a hop, but only one foot lands as you recognize where the ball is going. ie. a split step to gravity step/drop step.
 
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SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
I never knew about the split step. So I'm trying to bring it into my game. But I've also got Achilles niggles so I don't want to hop around too much.

I found the ss improves my return of serve.

And doing a wide split step when you've hit a rubbish shot which is about to get creamed that lets you do a drop step to start your sprint.

I think it's non-negotiable in those two scenarios

If your Achilles tendons are an issue, you might try the (no-hop) SS variation I suggested in post #18.


I stopped doing it a few months ago. Now I play better. I suppose I was doing it wrong, never really found the correct timing of the split step I guess.

It might not be that difficult to find the correct timing. Cue off the forward swing of your opponent's racket -- not the loop, preparation, racket drop or some other part of their swing. By focusing on exactly when their forward swing occurs, you will likely pick up some other useful visual cues as well. If you start your hop right as the opponent starts their forward swing, you will be at the top of your hop as they are making contact. Shortly after the ball has left their strings, you will be landing your SS hop. By the time you land, you should have a fair idea or approximation for where the ball will travel.

First try experimenting with the SS timing w/o engaging in an actual rally. Have a friend, not too far away, practicing some shadow swings for their Fh and Bh. Sway or wait in your ready position until you see them start their forward swing. You will be landing your hop as they finish their follow-thru. It should not take long to pick up a suitable timing for your SS this way. The next step is to have your partner drop-hit some balls (easy self-feeds). Focus on their racket drop and then their forward swing rather than the ball. Be patient and wait for that forward swing. The 3rd phase is to find the SS timing when engaged in an actual rally.

You can also practice your SS timing while watching other players rally.

If you want to try the SS variation that I mentioned above (from post #18), you can sink (quickly bend knees) instead of hop. For this no-hop variation, your would use the sound of their ball contact rather than their forward swing. You are starting the no-hop action slightly later because it takes less time to execute this than an actual hop.
 
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S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
And athletic hop is being employed more and more in many sports. I have been trying to get out volley ball team to use it.

All good VB diggers I knew used some variation of the split step in combination with a wide stance and low center of gravity...gee, sounds like a service return stance!
 

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
@ChaelAZ @TagUrIt
All good VB diggers I knew used some variation of the split step in combination with a wide stance and low center of gravity...gee, sounds like a service return stance!

I remember using a SS variation in volleyball back in the early 90s. Perhaps a little bit different than seen in these videos. I recall starting deep in the backcourt and then moving forward to execute a SS at the appropriate time. Similar to the way that Andy Murray moves in and then split steps on his serve returns.

 
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SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
...

the ideal "split step" to me, is not a hop.. it's actually a hop, but only one foot lands as you recognize where the ball is going. ie. a split step to gravity step/drop step.

Whether you SS with a 1-footed landing or a 2-footed landing depends on the exact timing of your SS, how high you hop and how quickly you determine which direction to move. I teach a neutral (2-footed) landing. But many players will adjust and land 1-footed when they have executed their SS a split second later. Top players will often initiate their SS or hop a bit higher than non-elite players. So you may notice that a lot of elite players, but not all, are landing 1-footed.
 

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
@Fintft
For really slow balls, split step is not really that important.
When the ball is coming fast, split step happens naturally.

What if that very slow ball is a well-disguised, well-placed drop shot? Lack of a properly timed SS can cost you dearly in that situation. Unless one learns/drills the SS, it does not happen naturally for many, if not most, players.
 
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Gazelle

G.O.A.T.
It might not be that difficult to find the correct timing. Cue off the forward swing of your opponent's racket -- not the loop, preparation, racket drop or some other part of their swing. By focusing on exactly when their forward swing occurs, you will likely pick up some other useful visual cues as well. If you start your hop right as the opponent starts their forward swing, you will be at the top of your hop as they are making contact. Shortly after the ball has left their strings and you will be landing your SS hop. By the time you land, you should have a fair approximation for where the ball will travel.

Thx, I might try this out!
 
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