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TennisOne Lessons
Singles
Strategy
When to Split Step When Serving?
By Monty Basnyat, TennisONE Associate Editor
Question
When serving, when do I split step? When the opponent has hit or before?
Answer
One of the most important elements in a good serve and volley game is knowing
how and when to execute the split step. As you can see from the photo below
(see Dan Leon's
complete lesson on the split step), the split step is the mini-step
you take to slow your speed and balance your weight as you move forward
to the net after your serve. The split step enables you to move laterally
to either side in a balanced manner to cover your opponent's passing shots.
 
One of the keys to the split step is to land with your head and toes over
your belly button in perfect balance. The other key is to move quickly through
the split step like a Stefan Edberg. This is important because you want
to hit your first volley as close to the net as you can while still maintaining
your balance and control. That brings us to the final key to mastering the
split step: timing. The server must learn to time the split step just
before the opponent makes contact on the return. This allows
the net rusher sufficient time to slow down, focus closely on the ball,
and step in any direction to cover the passing shot.
It is a mistake to think you have to reach the service line before
you split step. When you check step should be determined only by
when your opponent is about to strike the ball.
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