Hello,
I am trying to teach a very motivated kid (13 years old) to remember to split-step. We haven't try the negative reinforcement yet, i.e push-up, run-laps, etc whenever he forgot to split-step. I hate to resort to this negative method eventhough the kid is willing to do it. Any other suggestion? Many thanks.
If you teach him the importance of striking the ball while in a non-mobile and balanced position... the split step will occur naturally.
The split step (although not always as pretty as the pros) usually
evolves with experience. When anticipation of your opponents' shots improves, it's easier to
get into optimum position...
stop... then
strike the ball from a neutral and balanced stance. You can't really comprehend these things effectively, until you reach a certain level (probably 3.5 and above).
Show him some videos of good split stepping and explain to him the fundamental reasoning behind the split step.
It should go something like this... "When
rallying with your opponent... the split step is necessary in order to have your body
stopped,
balanced and
ready to move in either direction to strike the incoming ball."
Many times at lower levels... you play pushers and junk-ballers that never give you rhythm and will not rally
properly. In such cases, you may be chasing down too much junk to split step
properly (perhaps this is why it hasn't yet clicked in his head).
Don't resort to negative reinforcement to make him learn it... it will develop naturally with more experience and training. Tennis should be fun and enjoyable... not punishment and drudgery.
