When to time split step

[flyinghippos101]

I was told awhile ago by a coach that I'm not timing my split step well enough. I usually hit my split step just as the opponent is about to go for their stroke. I heard from numerous sources that you hit your split step as the opponent is hitting their strokes while I've been told from a few other coaches that you hit it as soon as the ball comes off the strings of the opponent. I feel I can be just as explosive in my movement timing it before their stroke as timing it during their stroke, so does it really matter when I time it so long as I hit it before the ball comes back?

 

[larry10s]

up at contact. thats correct timing

 

[GetBetterer]

I naturally do it before they even hit the ball.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

The prevailing opinion is to execute the split step at the moment the opponent contacts the ball. At the highest levels the timing is critical, at recreation levels its usually just enough to get the player in the habit so they are not flat footed and the exact timing is not so vital.

 

[flyinghippos101]

Flyinghippos101 thanks all of you for your help

Flyinghippos101

 

[SoBad]

On behalf of MagicianOfMarjorie I advise as follows. Don't put the horse before the cart. The point of split-step is to be ready to move in the right direction. Just be on your toes (little jumps up and down?) as opponent makes contact.

Henceforth the...

Sincerely - SerenMother:neutral:

 

[LeeD]

WHEN to get ready depends on your speed, reaction, and skills.
If you're a slow mover, get ready sooner.
If you're a fast twitch mover, get ready right at opponent's ball contact.
I don't subscribe to the theory that a split step is necessary for everyone to adopt. It's an advanced tennis player's thing, not a 4.5 players neccessity.
You see some pretty quick reactions in sports without a hopping bunny rabbit splitstep. Think of what a 3rd baseman or SS does when the batter swings. Legs comfortably wide apart, balanced, pupils wide open, hands up and mid chest, but no split step!
And this talk about getting onto your toes and such. Rubbish. You need to push off using your heels for the most power, then go to the balls of your feet, not your toes.

 

[supineAnimation]

up at contact. thats correct timing

Yup. You want to be at the apex of your hop at contact so that as you land you're ready to make a decision about where and how to move. And make sure you land with your stance nice and wide. That will naturally get your hips down and your legs bent, which allows you to explode up and towards the ball. This is one of the most common deficiencies I see in the <4.0 recreational players I teach.

 

[Nellie]

I like to set up an jump after the ball bounces and before the opponent hits so that I can move in the direction of the ball right with the opponent's shot.