What is the correct footwork following a forehand?

[oldhacker]

Quick question I would like some help with as follows.

When hitting a rally forehand - righthanded - (say semi-open stance with back foot moving up but staying as back foot on follow through - if that makes sense) from the baseline on the right hand side of the court and wanting to recover to the centre what is the best footwork sequence to employ?

I have been told to do a cross-over step with my right foot but this feels really weird as a first have to do a small step with my right foot to get it up level before crossing over and this double step (small step up then crossover just does not feel right to me and throws my balance).

 

[quicken]

I bet the best sequence would be like
1) X over step
2) Hop over to center line
3) Split step
4) Move

But... Having said that I dont do a xover step, I think I might crush my balls if I do it. I just do side way hops (I forgot the word for this...) to recover back to my ready position.

 

[oldhacker]

Hi quicken - glad I am not the only one who is not comfortable launching staright into a crossover step with my right leg. I find that depending on how open /closed my stance was hitting a forehand and how well set / balanced I was effects where my right foot finishes on the follow through. And some places it finishes make a crossover an uncomfortable or un-natural move. I much prefer to split step first to reset my balance and my feet and then do the crossover step towards the centre.

I bet the best sequence would be like
1) X over step
2) Hop over to center line
3) Split step
4) Move

But... Having said that I dont do a xover step, I think I might crush my balls if I do it. I just do side way hops (I forgot the word for this...) to recover back to my ready position.