Split step after serve

[enishi1357]

To keep it short it seems I can only serve the ball in when I'm focus on serving only. The problem is after the serve go in if the opponent get the ball low I will likely hit the ball to the net. I deduce I should split step more since my serve is somewhat competent now so I should do what the pros do. A different problem is now I can't serve it well because my mind is not focus on serving because i have to remind myself to split step. Add to that split step actually tire me alot which mess my serve even more. If I focus too much on serving then I forget to split step which made me miss the next shot.

My question is how should I overcome this? The pros get a break ever two games but I don't in recreational.

Is it a mental problem?

 

[maggmaster]

When you practice serving incorporate the split step. It will become natural over time.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

After you make contact on the serve, do you end up inside the baseline? If not, then you will have to modify the following suggestion slightly.

Serve practice. First just hit about 20 serves. Start of doing this with your 2nd serves. If you are getting better thans 80% (or at least of 3/4) of you serves in, then you should be ready for the next step... adding the split step (SS)

Assuming you've landed inside the BL, take a moderate-to-large step back and prepare to execute a SS. You should start that SS after the ball as bounced & is approaching the opposite BL

You should normally be at the top of your SS hop as the the ball is crossing that BL. Unless your serve is slow / weak -- and is bouncing a 2nd time before it reaches the BL. In this case, you should be at the top of your SS hop before the ball bounces a 2nd time.

 

[puppybutts]

To keep it short it seems I can only serve the ball in when I'm focus on serving only. The problem is after the serve go in if the opponent get the ball low I will likely hit the ball to the net. I deduce I should split step more since my serve is somewhat competent now so I should do what the pros do. A different problem is now I can't serve it well because my mind is not focus on serving because i have to remind myself to split step. Add to that split step actually tire me alot which mess my serve even more. If I focus too much on serving then I forget to split step which made me miss the next shot.

My question is how should I overcome this? The pros get a break ever two games but I don't in recreational.

Is it a mental problem?

Try practicing without a ball. just drive with the legs, focusing on making the split step not a separate step of the motion but a natural finish. it's a bit like learning to use both hands on the piano or coordinating your hands and feet on a drum set or singing and playing an instrument at the same time. it will feel natural will practice : ). even with pros, you can see sometimes when they are tired there is some mind lag and they don't split step as quickly after a serve. try to drill it into muscle memory so you don't have to think about it.

 

[enishi1357]

Thanks everyone! I will try your suggestions.

 

[Slicerman]

It could possibly be mental problem, but could also be a technical issue. From reading what you mention, it seems like you have the feeling of "defending" your serve. Maybe if you change your mindset more towards "attacking" with the serve then you will have less anxiety about this.

From a technical perspective, its possible that you're not timing the split step/recovery step well enough. Typically after a serve, a player will land on their front leg, hold it for a second then push off into a split step (eg. backwards behind the baseline). The faster the serve reaches the returner, the quicker this needs to be performed. However a slower serve might have a longer delay and its not ideal to hold the front leg position for that long. In this situation, a player might need to do two split-steps to stay in sync. So I would try to adjust accordingly to make sure your timing of the split step aligns with the return's moment of contact, which is very much dependent on the speed of your serve.

 

[enishi1357]

after much reflection, maybe I'm just not staying low enough. Well after tonight I'll find out.