Split Step Timing on Service Return

[MisterP]

How do you guys and gals time your split step on the return? We all have slightly different approaches to it, e.g. Step, step, split or the hop, split, etc. So when do you time landing? Slightly before contact? At contact? Or does it differ depending on the type of server?

 

[Topspin Shot]

Leave the ground when the serve accelerates his racket to the ball so you're at the top of your hop at contact. This way, you can turn your body in the direction you're going as you land, giving you a jump on the ball.

 

[oble]

As per Topspin Shot's comment, time the initiation of the split, not the landing. I initiate the split and leave the ground when the server swings up to the ball so that I land shortly after the ball leaves the server's racquet.

 

[MisterP]

Ok. Two votes for landing slightly after contact. Thoughts from others?

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

^^ Ditto (agree with oble and others).

I take a fairly large step with the inside leg (the one closest to the center of the court) as the server tosses the ball. The split step happens on the upward swing (after the racket head drop) of the server's racket. Take a look at Andy Murray's return sequence for an example of this.

 

[Easy Rider]

from ready position where Im very low, I kind of stand up, left foot ahead and split step, timing it so Im at the highest point of hop when opponents racket make contact with the ball

depending of the servers rhythm, you MUST adjust your split step

 

[dlam]

How do you guys and gals time your split step on the return? We all have slightly different approaches to it, e.g. Step, step, split or the hop, split, etc. So when do you time landing? Slightly before contact? At contact? Or does it differ depending on the type of server?

I prefer to hop a few times like Li Na and set up with my forehand grip for my returns then switch to BH if the ball goes to my left
If Im facing a lefty server, then I will do the step , split and hop.
Not sure why, but I think it helps puts me into the BH grip first which I handle either a lefty slice/kick better then I switch FH grip if the ball goes to my right.