Split Step timing & volley footwork?

TK6

New User
Looking for opinions and advice for 4.0-4.5 level play at the net & splitstep footwork.

The question is - when do you split step, how do you land your feet, and what is the first step?

Everyone knows you're supposed to split step when coming to the net, but what I'm not sure is the exact timing? Are you supposed to start the split step process (i.e. jumping) when your opponent starts to swing the racquet? If so, by the time you land from that jump, are you supposed to know which side of you the ball is coming at? If that is the case, then do you then move your outside feet towards that direction, OR... do you LAND with your outside foot already moving towards that direction and then (if you have time) move the inside step forward?

For example, let's say that the opponent is trying to hit a passing shot to your forehand(right) side. In this case, do you land from your split step 'hop' with your right foot already pointing towards the right side and then if time permits move forward with your left foot?

The other alternative is to still LAND FIRST with both feet pointing towards the middle, then step right (and a little forward) with your right foot, then step forward with your left foot?

So I guess my question is LAND & MOVE AT THE SAME TIME vs LAND THEN MOVE?

I ask this because in a baseline rally where you are supposed to also split step, it doesn't matter as much because you have time, but in volley situations, you don't have enough time and foot work is very important (rather than relying on "swinging").
 
Looking for opinions and advice for 4.0-4.5 level play at the net & splitstep footwork.

The question is - when do you split step, how do you land your feet, and what is the first step?

Everyone knows you're supposed to split step when coming to the net, but what I'm not sure is the exact timing? Are you supposed to start the split step process (i.e. jumping) when your opponent starts to swing the racquet? If so, by the time you land from that jump, are you supposed to know which side of you the ball is coming at? If that is the case, then do you then move your outside feet towards that direction, OR... do you LAND with your outside foot already moving towards that direction and then (if you have time) move the inside step forward?

For example, let's say that the opponent is trying to hit a passing shot to your forehand(right) side. In this case, do you land from your split step 'hop' with your right foot already pointing towards the right side and then if time permits move forward with your left foot?

The other alternative is to still LAND FIRST with both feet pointing towards the middle, then step right (and a little forward) with your right foot, then step forward with your left foot?

So I guess my question is LAND & MOVE AT THE SAME TIME vs LAND THEN MOVE?

I ask this because in a baseline rally where you are supposed to also split step, it doesn't matter as much because you have time, but in volley situations, you don't have enough time and foot work is very important (rather than relying on "swinging").

You're supposed to split step about the same time as you would split step on a return of serve, as your opponent is about to make contact. You should land slightly after they've hit the ball.

Generally, if you split step correctly, you will react very quickly to the ball coming at you, as your body is already in motion. Turn into position either way as the ball is coming towards you if you have time. So you would split, then land, react, and hit, and moving your left foot over if possible on the volley. In a perfect world, you could step your foot over and hit textbook volleys on every shot, but at that level, you won't have time to turn more times than not, so don't be too discouraged if you find you can't get your foot over in time. More times than not, you'll hit your volley, then move your foot over. Any time you DO have time to sure up your stance and THEN hit the volley is probably a ball you should try to hit a winning volley off of.
 
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Funbun

Professional
Volley situations tend to be different. Pros generally take more than one split step prior to the regular split step timimg for volleys. Volleying requires very fast reactions, and thus I personally find it easier to take a couple tiny hops here and there before they hit. However, I will, in the end, split step as my opponent makes contact with the, as Tennis is Magic outlined.

It's crucial that you should be ready at the net. When I play against the higher level high school teams, there were many times that I could have been smacked in the face with the ball, or any other body part for that matter in doubles matches.

I take several small split steps with one real split step to keep myself ready for this sake. I have to keep myself sharp and active before the attempted passing shot.

Occasionally, I would land then move immediately if I had to reach for a passing shot or had to attempt a poach shot. I sort of "dive" for the ball. So yes, if I had a passing shot to my right side, I would immediately move in that direction upon landing, likely with my foot facing right a little. It's highly situational, and really a matter of remembering that you should do whatever it takes to get to that ball and put it away.
 
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Volley situations tend to be different. Pros generally take more than one split step prior to the regular split step timimg for volleys. Volleying requires very fast reactions, and thus I personally find it easier to take a couple tiny hops here and there before they hit. However, I will, in the end, split step as my opponent makes contact with the, as Tennis is Magic outlined.

It's crucial that you should be ready at the net. When I play against the higher level high school teams, there were many times that I could have been smacked in the face with the ball, or any other body part for that matter in doubles matches.

I take several small split steps with one real split step to keep myself ready for this sake. I have to keep myself sharp and active before the attempted passing shot.

Occasionally, I would land then move immediately if I had to reach for a passing shot or had to attempt a poach shot. I sort of "dive" for the ball. So yes, if I had a passing shot to my right side, I would immediately move in that direction upon landing, likely with my foot facing right a little.

How does anybody land and move at the same time? I find that hard to imagine, unless it's parkour.

If your body is balanced when you land, you can push off either foot in the direction you wanna go. It's a neat thing to try. Take a split step, and then when you know where the ball is going, lift the foot on the side the ball is going (if the ball is coming to your left, split, and lift your left foot slightly above your right foot). If you do it right, you can split, react to the ball, turn, and be in position to hit the ball almost immediately after you land.
 

Mikeadelic

New User
Volley situations tend to be different. Pros generally take more than one split step prior to the regular split step timimg for volleys. Volleying requires very fast reactions, and thus I personally find it easier to take a couple tiny hops here and there before they hit. However, I will, in the end, split step as my opponent makes contact with the, as Tennis is Magic outlined.

It's crucial that you should be ready at the net. When I play against the higher level high school teams, there were many times that I could have been smacked in the face with the ball, or any other body part for that matter in doubles matches.

I take several small split steps with one real split step to keep myself ready for this sake. I have to keep myself sharp and active before the attempted passing shot.

Occasionally, I would land then move immediately if I had to reach for a passing shot or had to attempt a poach shot. I sort of "dive" for the ball. So yes, if I had a passing shot to my right side, I would immediately move in that direction upon landing, likely with my foot facing right a little. It's highly situational, and really a matter of remembering that you should do whatever it takes to get to that ball and put it away.

This. If you watch the Bryan brothers (or any pro doubles matches), the net player usually hops non-stop before the real split-step. It's a good way to ensure that you don't mistime your split.

Regarding footwork... if you watch some slow-motion vids of pro volleys, if they have time to step in like a textbook volley, they would usually take the first step with the same-side leg (i.e. left leg for the bh volley, right leg for the fh volley), and lunge forward through the volley with the opposite leg (the foot usually lands AFTER contact with the ball). The best volleys are generated from your body's forward momentum IMO, and not by muscling, swinging, or squeezing your racquet.

Hope that made sense.
 

salsainglesa

Semi-Pro
split step on the backswing of the rival... the first step is different if you are hiting your firstn volley, a put away volley or a defensive volley.

If you are on the offensive you have time to turn sideways with this step and moving forward and into the ball... Think of moving your contact point forward to the ball, and not your body, your contact point is what activates the whole system.
 

snvplayer

Hall of Fame
Looking for opinions and advice for 4.0-4.5 level play at the net & splitstep footwork.

The question is - when do you split step, how do you land your feet, and what is the first step?

Everyone knows you're supposed to split step when coming to the net, but what I'm not sure is the exact timing? Are you supposed to start the split step process (i.e. jumping) when your opponent starts to swing the racquet? If so, by the time you land from that jump, are you supposed to know which side of you the ball is coming at? If that is the case, then do you then move your outside feet towards that direction, OR... do you LAND with your outside foot already moving towards that direction and then (if you have time) move the inside step forward?

For example, let's say that the opponent is trying to hit a passing shot to your forehand(right) side. In this case, do you land from your split step 'hop' with your right foot already pointing towards the right side and then if time permits move forward with your left foot?

The other alternative is to still LAND FIRST with both feet pointing towards the middle, then step right (and a little forward) with your right foot, then step forward with your left foot?

So I guess my question is LAND & MOVE AT THE SAME TIME vs LAND THEN MOVE?

I ask this because in a baseline rally where you are supposed to also split step, it doesn't matter as much because you have time, but in volley situations, you don't have enough time and foot work is very important (rather than relying on "swinging").

I think you are supposed to split step as your opponent starts the forward part of the swing. So just before he makes the contact..It's a little late to start to split step after he has made contact. If you are watching the ball, you can usually tell to which side the ball is coming.

Once you land, you are ready to push off in either direction, and I am usually pushing off the one side once I land. I think there are times when I am already pushing off with my outside leg as I land, and times when i am not. I think this part is natural reaction that happens once your brain knows to which side the ball is coming.

I think the timing of split stepping is the same at the net. You have to be more dilligent with your footwork at the net, b/c you have less time and the foot work is very important. At the same time, you rarely have to take more than 3 steps to hit a volley unless 1) you are approaching the net for the first volley. 2) It's a floater / lob. In most cases, you step out to the side, and take a one big step forward / side.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
Looking for opinions and advice for 4.0-4.5 level play at the net & splitstep footwork.

The question is - when do you split step, how do you land your feet, and what is the first step?

Everyone knows you're supposed to split step when coming to the net, but what I'm not sure is the exact timing? Are you supposed to start the split step process (i.e. jumping) when your opponent starts to swing the racquet? If so, by the time you land from that jump, are you supposed to know which side of you the ball is coming at? If that is the case, then do you then move your outside feet towards that direction, OR... do you LAND with your outside foot already moving towards that direction and then (if you have time) move the inside step forward?

For example, let's say that the opponent is trying to hit a passing shot to your forehand(right) side. In this case, do you land from your split step 'hop' with your right foot already pointing towards the right side and then if time permits move forward with your left foot?

The other alternative is to still LAND FIRST with both feet pointing towards the middle, then step right (and a little forward) with your right foot, then step forward with your left foot?

So I guess my question is LAND & MOVE AT THE SAME TIME vs LAND THEN MOVE?

I ask this because in a baseline rally where you are supposed to also split step, it doesn't matter as much because you have time, but in volley situations, you don't have enough time and foot work is very important (rather than relying on "swinging").
Good questions.

This post could've been written by me since Im struggling with the same issues.

Im more or less clueless at the net. :(
 

10sbeast888

Hall of Fame
the Will H recent 'new rules of tennis' with this aussie stats guy has been quite revealing. you attack the bh and cover cc, instead of the old theory of covering the dtl.

don't worry too much about the split... there is not much time to mess around.. you want to just slow down a bit, so your weight is neutral, giving you the best chance to move in all directions.

it also depends on the situation -

- the first volley in a s&v - slow down around the service line and observe the return quality, and decide you keep going for the V, or step back a bit to hit a normal ground shot.

- the 2nd volley, or in doubles, when you are already at the net, then you just keep doing small bounces just to avoid getting the heals stuck on the ground.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
the Will H recent 'new rules of tennis' with this aussie stats guy has been quite revealing. you attack the bh and cover cc, instead of the old theory of covering the dtl.

don't worry too much about the split... there is not much time to mess around.. you want to just slow down a bit, so your weight is neutral, giving you the best chance to move in all directions.

it also depends on the situation -

- the first volley in a s&v - slow down around the service line and observe the return quality, and decide you keep going for the V, or step back a bit to hit a normal ground shot.

- the 2nd volley, or in doubles, when you are already at the net, then you just keep doing small bounces just to avoid getting the heals stuck on the ground.
I can get to the ball just fine. Oftentimes opponents just hit right into my wheelhouse.

Problem is, I botch the shot, ie frame, weird contact, or send the ball back with no power. What are the causes?
 

10sbeast888

Hall of Fame
I can get to the ball just fine. Oftentimes opponents just hit right into my wheelhouse.

Problem is, I botch the shot, ie frame, weird contact, or send the ball back with no power. What are the causes?

very typical result of trying to 'punch the ball out in front'. lol... the conventional wisdom that has destroyed the volley for many.

read the post in the other thread today about the volley steps.
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
I can get to the ball just fine. Oftentimes opponents just hit right into my wheelhouse.

Problem is, I botch the shot, ie frame, weird contact, or send the ball back with no power. What are the causes?
I did a search on ‘volley’ with your name and it seems like many pages of results came up as you have started several threads in the last 15 years asking for help with your poor volleying. Maybe you should reread some of these threads or accept that this place is not going to fix your volleying and you should take lessons from a reputed coach.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
very typical result of trying to 'punch the ball out in front'. lol... the conventional wisdom that has destroyed the volley for many.

read the post in the other thread today about the volley steps.
So no punching. Just firm up the grip n push thru the ball?
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
I did a search on ‘volley’ with your name and it seems like many pages of results came up as you have started several threads in the last 15 years asking for help with your poor volleying. Maybe you should reread some of these threads or accept that this place is not going to fix your volleying and you should take lessons from a reputed coach.
I have tried probably all the suggestions. Perhaps it's my understanding or perhaps they didn't produce a eureka moment for me so therefore I continue to struggle & to look for new concepts to try.

I tend to learn better when i talk about it. Tomorrow i will play n take notes about what exactly gives me trouble.
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
I have tried probably all the suggestions. Perhaps it's my understanding or perhaps they didn't produce a eureka moment for me so therefore I continue to struggle & to look for new concepts to try.

I tend to learn better when i talk about it. Tomorrow i will play n take notes about what exactly gives me trouble.
The only people who get helped here on technique are those who post video. Then posters can look at a player’s specific flaws and give concrete feedback. Otherwise generic advice won’t help as there are 10 different things that can be growing wrong with every shot starting from the leg up.
 

10sbeast888

Hall of Fame
The only people who get helped here on technique are those who post video. Then posters can look at a player’s specific flaws and give concrete feedback. Otherwise generic advice won’t help as there are 10 different things that can be growing wrong with every shot starting from the leg up.

agreed. @user92626 vids first.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
The only people who get helped here on technique are those who post video. Then posters can look at a player’s specific flaws and give concrete feedback. Otherwise generic advice won’t help as there are 10 different things that can be growing wrong with every shot starting from the leg up.
Sure, I'm not hard pressed to get helps. I don't mind videos myself but the people I play with seem irked or shy about videos during playtime. And, I have no troubles in practice, ie the ball hit at me... I know the mechanics and everything and volley very well in practice.

Now that I think about it, it seems like the problem is I'm too "nice", too non-aggressive. I will change that.
 

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
So no punching. Just firm up the grip n push thru the ball?
Not a punch in the conventional sense. The arm motion is primarily from the shoulder (horizon adduction with a slight or moderate downward component). But that arm motion should usually be relatively compact (little or No backswing). Short follow-thru in most cases.

Note that a considerable amount of the forward motion of the racket is due to stepping forward (often diagonally) into — not just an fwd movement of the arm / shoulder.
 
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Dragy

Legend
If I was to bring up some analogy for arm motion for volley (forehand), I’d say it’s like closing a wardrobe: arm-driven, not much force needed, controlled in completion so that you don’t slam it.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
Is this a common problem:

You need to take a few steps to reach the ball, and you extend your arm, maybe overextend, you can volley the ball but there's virtually no power in your shot. Naturally opponent closes the point.
??

Did I take the idea of no back swing too far? No back swing = no power? Or, because I was moving sideway?
 

10sbeast888

Hall of Fame
Is this a common problem:

You need to take a few steps to reach the ball, and you extend your arm, maybe overextend, you can volley the ball but there's virtually no power in your shot. Naturally opponent closes the point.
??

Did I take the idea of no back swing too far? No back swing = no power? Or, because I was moving sideway?

this is such a common problem... I will open a new thread so that everyone with sucky volleys can fix that once and for all.
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
Is this a common problem:

You need to take a few steps to reach the ball, and you extend your arm, maybe overextend, you can volley the ball but there's virtually no power in your shot. Naturally opponent closes the point.
??

Did I take the idea of no back swing too far? No back swing = no power? Or, because I was moving sideway?
Yes, it is a common problem that many players can hit only drop volleys where they just hold their racquet to damp the ball’s energy - they don’t actually perform a drive volley motion. Often when I warmup players before a match, there are many who cannot hit a volley back to me at the baseline and so I need to use a new ball to feed them after each volley. With players who know how to drive volley with control, you can just use one ball for 10-15 volleys as they can volley the ball back to you.
 

10sbeast888

Hall of Fame
regarding the timing... if you know what to watch it will become clear when the split is because your body can react to information, but cannot blindly move on nothing.

after you hit the approach, do not watch the ball.... shift the visual focus to the opp and his racket. much more info there... his position, balance.. you can feel it's a ripper or a sitter coming back into which direction. especially once he makes contact it will become clear.

your split timing will then be based on his swing.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
Yes, it is a common problem that many players can hit only drop volleys where they just hold their racquet to damp the ball’s energy - they don’t actually perform a drive volley motion. Often when I warmup players before a match, there are many who cannot hit a volley back to me at the baseline and so I need to use a new ball to feed them after each volley. With players who know how to drive volley with control, you can just use one ball for 10-15 volleys as they can volley the ball back to you.
Yeah I can see that most rec players do not practice this much because they do not have the scenario set up. It's amazing what we can learn from having encountered it once in a while.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
regarding the timing... if you know what to watch it will become clear when the split is because your body can react to information, but cannot blindly move on nothing.

after you hit the approach, do not watch the ball.... shift the visual focus to the opp and his racket. much more info there... his position, balance.. you can feel it's a ripper or a sitter coming back into which direction. especially once he makes contact it will become clear.

your split timing will then be based on his swing.
Honestly at my stage, just discipline myself to watch the ball, contact it properly is tough enough.

Most of my opponents aren't crafty. They are only interested in getting the ball back in play. My job is to watch the ball closely ...for decent contact.. LOL. and of course next squeeze the handle to volley.
 

dennis

Semi-Pro
by the time you land from that jump, are you supposed to know which side of you the ball is coming at? If that is the case, then do you then move your outside feet towards that direction, OR... do you LAND with your outside foot already moving towards that direction and then (if you have time) move the inside step forward?
If your split is on the later side, you'll land with a foot already partially turned towards where you'll have to move to next. If it's a standard split, then your feet will be neutral when they land. I would stick with the neutral split step timing as the default. I haven't noticed late splits when players are at net, it's something I associate with baseline shots and return of serves.
 
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