Why split step?

[LeeD]

I get it now.
I don't get the sound.
If you jump up in the air to split step, you should land on the push foot.
However, if you don't jump, it makes no difference, as weight is on both feet!

 

[MurrayMyInspiration]

I get it now.
I don't get the sound.
If you jump up in the air to split step, you should land on the push foot.
However, if you don't jump, it makes no difference, as weight is on both feet!

If you dont jump, remember to drop the right foot in and push off it to move to the right and vice versa if moving to the other side. Dont move the right foot from the athletic position out first as he proved in the video the other way is more efficient.

 

[LeeD]

I played varsity football for 2 years, one year at JV. OLB mainly.
Also played all 3 years on the varsity basketball team, playing man on man D.
LittleLeague as a center fielder, but track and BB 8th and 9th grades.
I keep both feet down, push off with the outside foot as is.
Ready stance is relaxed flexed legs, feet about 30" apart.

 

[Topspin Shot]

A coach I'm friends with actually specializes in movement. He has a whole website devoted to this concept. Check it out. http://www.sports-split-step.com/

 

[MurrayMyInspiration]

I played varsity football for 2 years, one year at JV. OLB mainly.
Also played all 3 years on the varsity basketball team, playing man on man D.
LittleLeague as a center fielder, but track and BB 8th and 9th grades.
I keep both feet down, push off with the outside foot as is.
Ready stance is relaxed flexed legs, feet about 30" apart.

Ok, I suggest you try the footwork as suggested in the video, it has been proven to be the best way to move.

 

[LeeD]

Thanks for the good advice guys...
I'm the fastest moving 64 year old, if you are talking first step and reaction times.
Once moving in the proper direction, I'm as slow as most 64 year olds, but with a gimp limp.
I need help with the mental aspects of my game, especially desire and concentration.
At my age and experience, I don't care too much (not much passion) while on court and I get distracted easily.

 

[Mr.Lob]

Lots of great discussion on split stepping everyone. I've been trying to pay more attention to my footwork, to understand exactly what I need to work on. And do find that on many occasions, I do maybe half a split step on shots I think I'll need to react quickly to. I won't leave the ground to split step, but will lift my weight up, then as my weight returns to my feet, I'm ready to move. I guess that's called the lazy mans split step?

 

[tkoziol]

Lots of great discussion on split stepping everyone. I've been trying to pay more attention to my footwork, to understand exactly what I need to work on. And do find that on many occasions, I do maybe half a split step on shots I think I'll need to react quickly to. I won't leave the ground to split step, but will lift my weight up, then as my weight returns to my feet, I'm ready to move. I guess that's called the lazy mans split step?

I wouldn't call it the lazy mans split step. Everyone split steps differently. I would say that most pros have several varieties of split steps that they use NOT just one. I often see Murray using a very huge split step (big time air). Djoker and Fed are much more complicated. At times, its almost impossible to see their split step. I saw one video on youtube of Djoker doing a split step and he did NOT leave the ground, but you could tell that his weight was being shifted up. Agassi had a unique split step, I wanna say that Salzenstein has a youtube video about it. Rafa tends to be a bit bouncy at times. Several times it appears that he too does not split step, but I assure you he does.

The point is have SOME kind of weight transfer, split step, hop, shuffle, etc. Merely attempting to stay on the balls of your feet will not be enough.

As for me, I find myself varying the type of split step given the situation. I'm sure it can be done, but I think actively thinking about it would be awkward. I have a "Murray style" split step when receiving serves from 5.0-5.5 college players. But my rallies with them I tend to bounce around like Rafa or do a few "baby hop shuffles" like Fed. I'm around a 4.5-5.5 depending on who is rating, how I'm playing, and what part of the country/world I'm in

 

[MurrayMyInspiration]

Djokovic just lands on both feet in athletic position it seems. For returning and in play.

 

[Fintft]

. Everyone split steps differently. I would say that most pros have several varieties of split steps that they use NOT just one. I often see Murray using a very huge split step (big time air). Djoker and Fed are much more complicated. At times, its almost impossible to see their split step. I saw one video on youtube of Djoker doing a split step and he did NOT leave the ground, but you could tell that his weight was being shifted up. Agassi had a unique split step, I wanna say that Salzenstein has a youtube video about it. Rafa tends to be a bit bouncy at times. Several times it appears that he too does not split step, but I assure you he does.

The point is have SOME kind of weight transfer, split step, hop, shuffle, etc. Merely attempting to stay on the balls of your feet will not be enough.

As for me, I find myself varying the type of split step given the situation. I'm sure it can be done, but I think actively thinking about it would be awkward. I have a "Murray style" split step when receiving serves from 5.0-5.5 college players. But my rallies with them I tend to bounce around like Rafa or do a few "baby hop shuffles" like Fed. I'm around a 4.5-5.5 depending on who is rating, how I'm playing, and what part of the country/world I'm in

Disclaimer: I'll have to watch the videos (From Cheetah, TopSpin, SA from home)

Between:

1. The split step or
2. The shuffle

Which one do you guys prefer?

I've been trying for the last two days to replace the split step (even a small one, b/c I sometimes don't time it right and I do it too late) with a shuffle...

I've also read what TopSpin posted how one should time the split step as to land just after the oponent makes contact and might try to see if I can achieve that.

Cheers!

 

[Topspin Shot]

Disclaimer: I'll have to watch the videos (From Cheetah, TopSpin, SA from home)

Between:

1. The split step or
2. The shuffle

Which one do you guys prefer?

I've been trying for the last two days to replace the split step (even a small one, b/c I sometimes don't time it right and I do it too late) with a shuffle...

I've also read what TopSpin posted how one should time the split step as to land just after the oponent makes contact and might try to see if I can achieve that.

Cheers!

If you can time the split correctly it beats a shuffle. If you can't time the split correctly the shuffle gives you something at least. A poorly timed split is worse than useless. But I would work on splitting correctly as it gives you a huge edge.

 

[Fintft]

If you can time the split correctly it beats a shuffle. If you can't time the split correctly the shuffle gives you something at least. A poorly timed split is worse than useless. But I would work on splitting correctly as it gives you a huge edge.

Thanks Top, that's what I was thinking in my vague, fuzzy way....

This ugly cobra has raised its head about a month or so ago: "A poorly timed(late in my case) split is worse than useless", while I haven't quite incorporated the shuffle in completely yet (so sometimes I do either one in rallies, during the same practice lol). But, like you guys said, I'll try to time the split step better starting this evening...
Happy hitting everyone!

 

[rchjr2091]

Sure the split step requires somewhat more energy expenditure. Not sure that I would characterize it as "quite a bit" but, perhaps, it is not that important how much more energy is actually consumed. The benefits provided by the split step far outweigh the added energy expenditure for both intermediate & advanced players.

A player at a 3.0 level or lower might not derive much benefit from a split step but most 3.5 & 4.0 players probably would. I teach footwork patterns, such as split steps and recovery steps, to novice students (advanced beginners). For these students, the footwork patterns is usually part of their dynamic warmup. While they may not actually use it when hitting or rallying, it seems to help novice players get to an intermediate level quicker. For intermediate players it makes the better movers on the court -- better anticipation and more explosive movement to the ball. With the split step these players are more balanced and better prepared to the to the next ball. It also makes their movement more fluid and lends a rhythm to their stroke-movements.

The extra energy expenditure required when executing recovery steps and split steps actually helps us to tap into our stored energy more readily. This concept is counter-intuitive to novice and low intermediate players. By keeping the feet moving (w/splits steps, recovery steps, etc), we get the adrenaline flowing and we keep the heart rate up in the aerobic range. This should help us to utilize oxygen more readily rather than just relying on our anaerobic systems to produce energy.

Our anaerobic systems are very inefficient -- they do not produce energy as readily as our aerobic system. We often feel sluggish or find that it is more of an effort to move to the ball if we are relying only on our anaerobic systems. Once we start tapping into the aerobic system for some of our energy demands for tennis, we feel like we are able to produce energy more easily. We get the impression that we have more of a flow and more energy to spare (even tho' we are, paradoxically, using more energy).

I started back playing a year and a half ago, started taking lessons from a local 4.5, went to clinics...no one ever talked about split steps, its always swing mechanics etc. now that I am learning on my own how important footwork and learning to split step is. I wish I had learned from day one how important the little things are.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

I started back playing a year and a half ago, started taking lessons from a local 4.5, went to clinics...no one ever talked about split steps, its always swing mechanics etc. now that I am learning on my own how important footwork and learning to split step is. I wish I had learned from day one how important the little things are.

I tend not to emphasize split stepping either...
There's only so much you can teach in an hour, and up to 3.5, it's about grip and stroke mechanics.
Once you can hit 10 fast racquet speed shots (with topspin) off a handfed sitter, in a row on either wing, then I'll start moving you around, and that's when things like split steps, and foot work patternsfirst move - will come up.
No point in teaching movement/footwork if someone can't hit it "off a tee" consistently, so to speak.

 

[Fintft]

If you can time the split correctly it beats a shuffle. If you can't time the split correctly the shuffle gives you something at least. A poorly timed split is worse than useless. But I would work on splitting correctly as it gives you a huge edge.

Thanks Top,

I timed it better last night, as per your advice (was late on only of times) and it helped: I got to more balls, faster then usual, against a better player (he is probably between 4-4.5 and I'm a 3.5 maybe on my way to 4.0).

 

[rchjr2091]

I tend not to emphasize split stepping either...
There's only so much you can teach in an hour, and up to 3.5, it's about grip and stroke mechanics.
Once you can hit 10 fast racquet speed shots (with topspin) off a handfed sitter, in a row on either wing, then I'll start moving you around, and that's when things like split steps, and foot work patternsfirst move - will come up.
No point in teaching movement/footwork if someone can't hit it "off a tee" consistently, so to speak.

Good info. I know I try and do to much while I'm hitting ( did I split step ? Is my non dominant hand parallel to base line, am I watching the ball ...on and on) I will overthink the process. What I'm doing now is just pick one thing and do it over and over ...

 

[Fintft]

Good info. I know I try and do to much while I'm hitting ( did I split step ? Is my non dominant hand parallel to base line, am I watching the ball ...on and on) I will overthink the process. What I'm doing now is just pick one thing and do it over and over ...

I also limit myself to one or two things per "phase", i.e.:

• Anticipation phase:
  1. What shot is he more likely to execute
  2. Watch his racquet
• In the preparation phase:
  1. - Time my split step as to land just after the opponent has made contact with the ball (will work more on landing with the weight not evenly distributed)
  2. - Start taking the racquet back with both hands (resulting into turning my shoulders, followed by pivoting ,etc).
• Getting in position:
  1. To hit the ball in front of me
• While executing the shot:
  1. - Stay with the shot/keep eyes at contact point, during contact (which helps the second thing)
  2. - Hit with a relaxed and delayed arm.

• During Recovery
  1. Start recovering towards the middle
  2. Rince and repeat with "What shot is he more likely to execute"

 

[RajS]

For me split-stepping is absolutely necessary to get to the ball. I don't have to rise six inches off the ground like the pros; just lightening my feet by getting the weight off my legs works for me. The problem is timing. I have a good trick to deal with serves: I start the upward movement as the server starts swinging the racket upwards (confession: I saw some pros doing this on youtube, ha ha). For ground strokes, I just unweight my feet as the opponent starts the forward swing. Watching the angle of the racket face should give good indication of where the ball is going to go... but as of now, I still have work to do on this. The shocking thing is that a really small angle like 10 degrees at the baseline, which is hardly noticeable from the other side, can result in the ball going fully cross court or down the line. So for all practical purposes, I have to pick up the direction of the ball after the hit, unless it is obvious. But unweighting the feet makes timely movement a lot easier - especially for an older person like myself who is slowing down inexorably!

 

[LeeD]

Hey RajS, good to see your back is managable and you're still playing tennis!
I'm too old to split step with active feet. As are all the old farts here, even some ex A/Open player's who are now good seniors (70+ State ranked). Nobody over 65 hops up to split step, but we all do unload someweight, while keeping the feet planted on terra firma.

 

[RajS]

@LeeD: Hey Domond, hope all's well at your end! Yup, we do need to sift through instructions carefully to see how it applies to us, no question.

 

[LeeD]

@LeeD: Hey Domond, hope all's well at your end! Yup, we do need to sift through instructions carefully to see how it applies to us, no question.

Yeah, it it depends a lot on our physical state, and whether or not we've been playing.
I just got back from a month off tennis, but worse, a month without moving on hard ground. I was SUPing in Puerto Rico, and those first 3 days back to tennis, my joints all ached just from warmups, never mind the 70% mishits. It got sooo bad that today, my 5th tennis day back, I was prepared to play with the old farts, those weak hitting 3.5 in the morning tennis group. Lucky I was spared when some 4.0's showed up, but my legs were toast after just 3 doubles sets.

 

[MisterP]

No one is splitting every time at 3.5 because no one needs to. Most points are ended with unforced errors on routine shots. Start playing dubs at 4.0 and 4.5 and you'll quickly understand why being balanced and on your toes is a requirement.

 

[Tight Lines]

I've read a bit about split stepping, and see the pros split stepping before serves. But, to me split stepping seems to have no real advantage over being on the balls of your feet, knees bent, in an athletic position... which is where you're at immediately after a split step. Right?

If your timing is off on the split step, you could find yourself out of position to make the shot.

I'm a 3.5-4.0, I don't see a lot of split stepping in my doubles league. If I do split step, it is natural and instinctive. So do you split step, why, and is it something you have to practice a lot to get the timing down properly?

Well, if your opponent is pushing you around from side to side and you are constantly late getting to the ball, then you will learn to split step

Against any server who can place the ball to the corners with 90 mph or better, you will learn to split step.

Harry

 

[Deleted member 23235]

I guess that's called the lazy mans split step?

An efficient split step,... but I find that a small hop forward also promotes my body weight moving forward (ideal for most shots if there's time).
When I unweight without leaving the ground, it feels like it only helps me go side to side.

 

[kiteboard]

Iodine, amino acids, and juvenon.

 

[torpantennis]

No one is splitting every time at 3.5 because no one needs to. Most points are ended with unforced errors on routine shots. Start playing dubs at 4.0 and 4.5 and you'll quickly understand why being balanced and on your toes is a requirement.

Wrong on 3.5. I do know many fellows me included who split step at every ball. That's what some coaching does to you, builds some good routines. But if your strokes are cr@p, like with me, it's tough to get past 3.5 no matter the footwork LOL.

 

[Fintft]

Well, if your opponent is pushing you around from side to side and you are constantly late getting to the ball, then you will learn to split step

Against any server who can place the ball to the corners with 90 mph or better, you will learn to split step.

Harry

I'm with and everyone else (like TS) who advises to split-step, especially if you are slow lol

 

[Fintft]

But if your strokes are cr@p, like with me, it's tough to get past 3.5 no matter the footwork LOL.

I might be your opposite image lol

 

[Fintft]

An efficient split step,... but I find that a small hop forward also promotes my body weight moving forward (ideal for most shots if there's time).
When I unweight without leaving the ground, it feels like it only helps me go side to side.

Yes and I personally also given up on the shuffle (prefer small hops all the time - if possible). Further more I even asked the top(who also happens to be the cutest and works at the front desk)...20 year old girl at our club(based on some advise from a "Is this the right place to post your FH" thread) who I thought was only shuffling/running in place and she said that she actually does both- in short she does a small split step (hop) and "doesn't like the big hop/take off Federer does".

 

[torpantennis]

I might be your opposite image lol

TBH, I'm mostly playing for the fun of it and SWEATING. That's why I'm a bit too happy with just running around the court and chasing balls down. To really improve, I should focus more on my strokes. But that's hard work and doesn't give any exercise so I tend to skip it.

 

[Fintft]

TBH, I'm mostly playing for the fun of it and SWEATING. That's why I'm a bit too happy with just running around the court and chasing balls down. To really improve, I should focus more on my strokes. But that's hard work and doesn't give any exercise so I tend to skip it.

For me the maximum bang for buck and also the hard work would be to improve:

1. My movement, via pliometrics, running, losing weight, etc. and
2. Mental thoughness

Myself I'm a bit aprehensive of playing a defensive style on hard courts and ladder matches to boot (look at Nadal's longevity vs Federer's), last year being the first time in the last three years that I got out of the indoor hard court season relatively injury free (and went to clay for the summer + hiking/climbing etc).

 

[torpantennis]

For me the maximum bang for buck and also the hard work would be to improve:

1. My movement, via pliometrics, running, losing weight, etc. and
2. Mental thoughness

Myself I'm a bit aprehensive of playing a defensive style on hard courts and ladder matches to boot (look at Nadal's longevity vs Federer's), last year being the first time in the last three years that I got out of the indoor hard court season relatively injury free (and went to clay for the summer + hiking/climbing etc).

Yea I've been very "lucky" in avoiding most injuries with my defensive play style on indoor HCs. But just last week I pulled the damn groin on a stretched ball. Kinesiotape got me back to courts almost pain free this week, hope I'm not overplaying it.

 

[Fintft]

Yea I've been very "lucky" in avoiding most injuries with my defensive play style on indoor HCs. But just last week I pulled the damn groin on a stretched ball. Kinesiotape got me back to courts almost pain free this week, hope I'm not overplaying it.

When in Rome, do what the romans do...In this case, if you are injured (or like Raonic and me), shorten the points/strike first/dictate/control (as per Chris Evert being the best bet to win in modern tennis).

 

[Mr.Lob]

An efficient split step,... but I find that a small hop forward also promotes my body weight moving forward (ideal for most shots if there's time).
When I unweight without leaving the ground, it feels like it only helps me go side to side.

As a 3.5- 4.0, I've never really understood the "split step...small hop forward", that you see all the pros use. To me, it seems this would leave me vulnerable to any hard hit serves/groundstrokes out wide, as my momentum is going forward. Aside from wanting to play aggressive or take time away from opponent, what advantage does the split step small hop forward have?

 

[Deleted member 23235]

As a 3.5- 4.0, I've never really understood the "split step...small hop forward", that you see all the pros use. To me, it seems this would leave me vulnerable to any hard hit serves/groundstrokes out wide, as my momentum is going forward. Aside from wanting to play aggressive or take time away from opponent, what advantage does the split step small hop forward have?

I couldn't find a diagram,.. but this is a vid I found in my 5s googling....
Basically the common thing intermediate folks do (and sometimes I still do), is to run parallel to the baseline to intercept a wide ball...
Problems with running parallel (eg. acute angle to line of flight of ball):
1. the distance to the contact increases
2. if you get there in time, your weight is moving perpedicular to the target (vs. into the ball) - often leading to short ball anyway
Cutting the angle: (eg. run at 90 degrees to the line of flight of the ball)
1. decreases the distance to travel
2. if you get there, your weight is already moving forward, giving you a better chance to neutralize (the more your can incorporate your body weight, the more you can use your arm to control direction vs. adding pace)
Scenario is again "med paced out wide", eg. you have a chance of getting it (eg. 80% of the time using pareto principle)...
against wide shots where you have min chance, you may even have to run backwards, but in my experience happens less often.

So presuming 80% of wide balls are reachable, if you run parallel to the baseline, you make it into a defense only scenario (eg. throw up a lob)
whereas if you try to cut off the angle, you can make it into a neutralizing or even attackable scenario.

Even on routine shots, to get a quality shot, folks who move laterally, need to then plant, and move their weight in... vs. more efficiently hop forward, get the weight moving forward from the start (overly simplified description and doesn't describe all footwork patterns)

Even on shots you have to move forward, take the overhead that's behind you, the most efficient way (my current understanding anway), is to split, then take a left jab step forward, which propels you backwards faster

So it's situational, and there are times where I hop forward, then get surprised by a deep ball, i'm still able to get back decently (since my toes are loaded), but I find that happens less often (or i just need to adjust my normal "neutral" position.

Disclaimer: this is my very dumbed down version of the concepts... and there are many "what if" options that may trump split-with-forward-hop. There many texts out there that describe this is better detail.

 

[Fintft]

I couldn't find a diagram,.. but this is a vid I found in my 5s googling....
Basically the common thing intermediate folks do (and sometimes I still do), is to run parallel to the baseline to intercept a wide ball...
Problems with running parallel (eg. acute angle to line of flight of ball):
1. the distance to the contact increases
2. if you get there in time, your weight is moving perpedicular to the target (vs. into the ball) - often leading to short ball anyway
Cutting the angle: (eg. run at 90 degrees to the line of flight of the ball)
1. decreases the distance to travel
2. if you get there, your weight is already moving forward, giving you a better chance to neutralize (the more your can incorporate your body weight, the more you can use your arm to control direction vs. adding pace)
Scenario is again "med paced out wide", eg. you have a chance of getting it (eg. 80% of the time using pareto principle)...
against wide shots where you have min chance, you may even have to run backwards, but in my experience happens less often.

So presuming 80% of wide balls are reachable, if you run parallel to the baseline, you make it into a defense only scenario (eg. throw up a lob)
whereas if you try to cut off the angle, you can make it into a neutralizing or even attackable scenario.

Even on routine shots, to get a quality shot, folks who move laterally, need to then plant, and move their weight in... vs. more efficiently hop forward, get the weight moving forward from the start (overly simplified description and doesn't describe all footwork patterns)

Even on shots you have to move forward, take the overhead that's behind you, the most efficient way (my current understanding anway), is to split, then take a left jab step forward, which propels you backwards faster

So it's situational, and there are times where I hop forward, then get surprised by a deep ball, i'm still able to get back decently (since my toes are loaded), but I find that happens less often (or i just need to adjust my normal "neutral" position.

Disclaimer: this is my very dumbed down version of the concepts... and there are many "what if" options that may trump split-with-forward-hop. There many texts out there that describe this is better detail.

I've been having this problem for a couple of months now, been aware of it, but haven't fixed it yet (I rally too much from the baseline and I tend to get glued to it)

 

[hobl4]

Split stepping definitely raises my level of play. Sometimes when I'm feeling lazy or just disinterested I don't split step, and then my game suffers. Split stepping gives me more explosiveness and I feel like I'm never late when making a shot. Also it kind of keeps my mind in the game too. It gives me that alertness. And I think that is the point of split stepping. When you're waiting for your opponent to hit their shot, you are making the split step so you don't have to start moving from still feet. You can compare it to taking a false start in a 100 metre sprint. It gives you an advantage.

 

[Curious]

After so many failed attempts I finally got the hang of split stepping. Like everything else it was through practice, watching guys who do it well. I took the risk of looking weird and funny with too early or too late split steps and finally a few days ago when I was quite loose it somehow clicked and started happening. Now I can do it on time and properly almost every time the opponent hits a ball. It really is the most crucial element of moving well on the court, getting ready for the ball and hitting in the optimum balanced position.

 

[heninfan99]

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

A subtle hint of a SS with Andre casually rallying. Andre did not have the most robust SS, especially later in his career bit it was definitely there:

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Better example of the SS from Andre's wife:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154651678241806

 

[heninfan99]

Yeah, he is very subtle about it.

 

[SV10is]

^ Yes, a properly performed split step will make your next movement more explosive. This is due to the stretch-shortening cycle (see links below). While an athletic position in the balls of your feet with the knee bent will provide some advantage, a well-timed split step should provide an even greater advantage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stretch_shortening_cycle
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10899328

To the OP: Keep practicing the timing of your split step. A poorly timed split step can be counterproductive. If too early, it is not too bad -- you effectively get the static athletic position that you described. OTOH, if you're late, it will delay your move to play the ball. Some pro players will split step as they hear the contact made by their opponent. However, this might cause a lot of players to be slightly late. Many players will initiate the split step on the opponent's forward swing (or upward swing for a serve) before contact such that they land just as the ball is coming off the opponent's strings. Do not start your hop/jump before your opponent's forward (or upward) swing.

With practice, you should be able to find the optimal time for your split step. Note: If you are early or on-time with your split step, you will probably land with your weight equally distributed on the balls of both feet. If you are slightly late, you might find that you are landing on just one foot and starting to move the other foot in the direction that you want to run.

For LeeD and others that might find a conventional split step too painful, there are a couple of modified split step variations that might be of use. One of these is a split step movement that is sometimes employed by badminton players. Instead of a dramatic hop/jump, badminton players will suddenly lower the body as the opponent is making contact (or about to make contact) -- increasing the knee bend and temporarily unweighting the body. This movement, if performed correctly, should produce a stretch-shortening cycle. Like a conventional tennis split step, this lowering/unweighting movement needs to be well-timed for optimal effectiveness.

Another split step variation is something known as the fastso split step. I sometimes refer to it as the geriatric split step. Here is Coach Mauro's split step variation:

http://fatsotennis.com/tag/tennis-split-step
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=5500841#post5500841 (posts #5 and #9)
.

That cycle exploits a muscular reaction known by the cute name of myotatic reflex. You have a super short-lived window once a muscle is stretch to contract it back using it where, if you do it, you're way stronger than normal.

It's one of the reason we naturally tend to move in the opposite direction we wish to go before exploding: we figured out pulling before pushing means you push harder.

So, you go down before you jump; you take your arm back before you thow; etc.

As you correctly explained, the hop we do in tennis is just a convenient way of exploiting that pre-stretching to explode, but it's not the only way to do it.

And the real problem with not doing a split step or something akin to it is simply that you most likely **will** bend down a tad before pushing yourself towards the ball anyway -- but you'll do it late and waste precious time doing it.

Split. Every time!

And, for a fun time, watch some doubles: high level players all split step and you will get rallies that look like coordinated dances with teams split stepping in near perfect unisson.