Split Stepping

[Net Cord]

As a new coach I encourage split stepping as much as possible but see that it can be a hard thing to grasp. I can't recall seeing any tips about drilling this specific movement and was hoping to draw upon the years of experience on this forum!

At the moment I demonstrate the movement and discuss the benefits then get them to SS and pretend to hit shots, recover then get them to move in a direction of my choosing. Once they grasp this I'll get the ball involved with live feeds where I let the ball bounce before feeding keeping a eye on the timing of their movement etc.

How do you guys drill this very important movement??

Thanks in advance.

 

[LoveThisGame]

One thing I often do is have the two of us hit volleys, standing just inside the service line and hitting to the opponent, preferably from gut height down. This is after talking about split stepping and that it buys time.

Presumably you can steer your volleys as needed. Start increasing the pace and let the student see the benefit from the split stepping. It can also be a good workout.

I sometimes add a comment that split stepping tightens your buns .

 

[golden chicken]

exaggerate your backswing so that the student has time to see you initiate your stroke and can process that he/she should split-step.

my coach runs a 2-ball sequence where he feeds a short ball for the student to hit an approach shot, then as the student is approaching, he feeds another for them to volley. he wants them to split-step so they can react to the volley.

unfortunately, i've seen several of his younger students mistakenly associate the split-step with volleying and who seem surprised when i ask them to do it every time i hit the ball.

i like to do a 3-ball sequence with the student starting in the center hash on the baseline. i hit my first ball to either corner. then i get to hit wherever i want. either i'll hit back to the first corner, to the opposite corner, or a short ball that they should pounce on. the uncertainty of the next ball lends itself to reactive movement which the students should begin to realize is aided by the split-step.

edit: and for the munchkins, i tell them to "hop" every time i hit the ball.

 

[dmastous]

The split step, to me, is kind of overkill. Like "watching" the ball. It's important to see the ball as you are hitting it, but you don't need to overdo it. Same with the split step. You are collecting your balance before attempting to make the first volley. If you emphasize the split step, per-se, you may not get the results you are looking for.

 

[badmice2]

you can try running this drill my coach and I use to do:

<< setup for the drill>>
- you'll need cones (3-5)
- setup the cones around the upper part of no-man's-land (towards the service line)
- shot sequence - approach shot, approach volley, finish with volley or overhead

<< instruction for the drill >>
- have the student start with an approach shot, cross court or down the line
- as the run up to the cones, have them jump over it; in the process of landing, they'll be force to split step
- feed approach volley after they land
- finish with either a put away volley, or;
- have them run all the way to the net, tap it with their racket, and hit an overhead

<< the after effect >>
this drill forces the student to "split step" before they hit their first volley after an approach shot. Once the student make their split step habit, you can relate this to other parts of their game (such as return of serve, split step after you serve, etc).

Hope this helps.

 

[LoveThisGame]

If you want a player to work on split stepping when receiving serve, one way if for you or someone to hit serves from the service line (on your side ) using good pace. Hit them to either side of the returner but within normal (short) reach.

That teaches to split step and what can be done when you cut down your backswing and use your opponent's speed.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

exaggerate your backswing so that the student has time to see you initiate your stroke and can process that he/she should split-step.

yes.

also may want to use some fake backswings to see if they trigger the split-step in your students.

but the main point here is to help moving into the desired direction.

in order to emphasize that, what I am doing is several exagerated landing exercises:

I ask the student to anticipate the direction of the incoming shots, make the splitstep, land on the foot opposite the direction of the ball, keep the leg on the side of the ball longer in the air, while moving into that direction

(say on a ball on their BH, they're asked to keep the knee of that leg high up longer, while the right leg lands, from which they push off)

this will automatically promote a good push off and the pivoting of the leg on the side of the ball