Step & Split vs. Split on Return of Serve

[FIRETennis]

I'm sure it's a pretty evenly divided crowd here in terms of preference on the return of serve but what are the pros/cons of a step then split vs. direct split.

Amazing returners....
Djokovic, Federer - Just a single split step and then returns on both 1st and 2nd serves (although Fed sometimes steps in on the second serve then splits)
Schwartzman, Murray, Nishikori - Steps forward then split steps on both 1st and 2nd serves

Been working with several trainers on the return of serve and I find myself going back and forth between the two.
I find the timing is easier with various opponents' toss heights by just a simple split like Djoko before serve contact eliminating that extra step forward, but this comes at the expense of some forward momentum.

Thoughts?

 

[shamaho]

yeah! lately being aware of the pros/cons of each....

I also find timing easier with a plain split...

but taking that step before the split is a very definite change in momentum on the return and I make more aggressive returns and find myself in a more attacking position after the return - it also kind of changes my mindset to be more aggressive and sniffing for the short ball,

whereas just splitting sets me on a more passive mindset...

 

[Fintft]

yeah! lately being aware of the pros/cons of each....

I also find timing easier with a plain split...

but taking that step before the split is a very definite change in momentum on the return and I make more aggressive returns and find myself in a more attacking position after the return - it also kind of changes my mindset to be more aggressive and sniffing for the short ball,

whereas just splitting sets me on a more passive mindset...

This is what I've been coached.

 

[Traffic]

For the past 6-12mos, I've had issues with my ROS. Probably the worst part of my game. (most likely after recovering from breaking 5 bones).
Recently my son pointed out to me that my split step was late. that made everything else late.
I've been trying to time my single split step and it's been generally improved. But sometimes I catch myself being late. So I'm doing more of a lift my feet up and put immediately down with an actual "hop" (feet move, but rest of body stays stationary vs whole body moving). That seems to be a little easier for me to hit the right timing.

I've tried the step and split and that seems to be too much motion for me to get all the timings right. But I do like having that moving forward motion when I get the timing right.

 

[nyta2]

i find the simple split easiest to time...
but with the step and split you can vary the depth of your positioning
(eg. if as a returner i see you standing way back, i'll probably slice wide and short... or if in close- go to body...
but if returner is a step&splitter... now i'm not sure where you'll actually end up (deep or in))
as a step&splitter, i can take a bigger step in if you decide to say, kick as your first serve...

 

[Dartagnan64]

I Just start out low and wide and on my toes. Pre-loaded and ready to spring. Stepping and bouncing just impairs my ability to get an early read on the serve. Old eyes. If I move too much I frame too many returns. Since most guys I know can't paint corners, not splitting is less of a deal. Reading the ball early is a much bigger deal at my level.

Unconventional but it works better for me.

 

[golden chicken]

I had a tendency to attempt too big a cut on a return until I started treating it more like a volley. I can't remember which pro I first noticed doing the step and split, but I adopted it and it definitely helps give you that forward intent, and since I'm heading to the net asap, I want forward intent.

 

[socallefty]

Step and split. I’m an aggressive returner as I‘m always trying to control the point pattern from the start and moving forward with a quick step helps with the forward momentum and hitting the ball earlier on the rise.

Rarely, I’ll throw in a wrinkle to disrupt rhythm by standing way back (at least 6-8 feet back from usual position) and to my FH on 2nd serves late in singles matches - then I only split. I also do this if I want to catch my breath and counterpunch if I’ve been forced to run a lot on a couple of points in a row.

 

[Shaolin]

Step & split for me. So simple and east to time the split that way. You can also push off and explode into the split step to get your weight forward into the ball.

 

[socallefty]

Step & split for me. So simple and east to time the split that way. You can also push off and explode into the split step to get your weight forward into the ball.

That sounds more like what I do. The stronger my legs are (depends on how hard I’ve been working out), the more apart I can keep them during my return stance before I push off and the more explosive motion I can create.

 

[Curious]

For those who are mostly late on split step it’s probably a bad choice to step and split. Like me.

 

[zipplock]

Step first for me. I've been trying to have a very compact, repeatable ROS on both sides, especially when returning against pace. I have to step in first to get everything moving toward the net to get any penetration on the ROS. If I don't step I can get caught just hitting a week block on the side of my body as opposed to a driving block out in front of me moving forward.

 

[pencilcheck]

That's because they are not splitting, they are simply getting in position. SO this is personal preference, depending on your timing and your opponent.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

That's because they are not splitting, they are simply getting in position. SO this is personal preference, depending on your timing and your opponent.

Perpetual 3.5 player?
Who is not splitting?

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I'm sure it's a pretty evenly divided crowd here in terms of preference on the return of serve but what are the pros/cons of a step then split vs. direct split.

Amazing returners....
Djokovic, Federer - Just a single split step and then returns on both 1st and 2nd serves (although Fed sometimes steps in on the second serve then splits)
Schwartzman, Murray - Seems to do a wobble, steps forward then split steps on both 1st and 2nd serves

Been working with several trainers on the return of serve and I find myself going back and forth between the two.
I find the timing is easier with various opponents' toss heights by just a simple split like Djoko before serve contact eliminating that extra step forward, but this comes at the expense of some forward momentum.

Thoughts?

More of a sway than a wobble. Then stride (step fwd) during the lift/toss and split step on the upward racket swing (shortly before contact). Learned this sequence abt 30 yrs ago. Find that this sequence provides me with a better rhythm.

I can easily adjust the stride length and speed to sync to the rhythm of the server -- regardless if the toss is quick / low or if it is longer / higher.

I used to step forward with whichever foot seemed more natural. But some years back, I noticed that Andy Murray was stepping forward with his inside leg (the one closest to the court midline) most of the time. I adopted this variation and found that it worked quite well for me.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Prior to stride and split step, I'll often incorporate a sway, ready steps or both.

 

[hurworld]

Steps and split for me too. I do the Andy Murray approach of 2 steps then split, starts when opponent begins toss.

Just saw Tennis Mentor had a video on this topic:

 

[FIRETennis]

Lots of great answers, thank you!
I've been working on more of the Nishikori / Murray style return with the big step and split and it's been working out well.
I also find having both grips ready FH and Two handed BH on the grip helps a lot when returning.