When do you split step?

[Cindysphinx]

Pros seem to be all over the map one.

Some say you split when your opponent strikes the ball.

Others say you split when your opponent prepares to hit the ball (takes racket back on groundstroke, tosses ball on serve).

I've no idea when you split when your opponent is about to volley.

Does it depend on the speed of the ball, on your proximity to net, on your opponent's proximity to net? Is it possible that both camps are correct? Or should you just split whenever it seems right to split, so long as you split step at some point?

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

For me it depends on how fast I react after I split. I used to think you split when the ball is hit but I'm kind of slow on preparation so I split right before he actually hits it.

 

[mdhubert]

I'm pretty sure on return Federer splits step when the ball is at the apex of the toss.

 

[Zets147]

I don't think about it anymore.

 

[Geezer Guy]

You should split step just before you opponent strikes the ball. Meaning, the instant you'll be coming "out" of your split step is the instant you pick up where the ball is going to be going. If you can't get the timing just right, it would be better to split step a bit too early than too late.