The split step is a small hop that loads your legs right as your opponent contacts the ball. If you are late, you feel heavy. If you are early, you lose your spring. The goal is to land at contact.
Three timing cues that work
- Listen: land on the sound of contact, not the swing.
- See: sync your hop with the opponent's shoulder rotation.
- Feel: keep the hop small so you can push in any direction.
Drill: two-ball rhythm
Stand on the baseline while a partner feeds two balls in a row. Split step on each contact and call "land" out loud as your feet touch the court. This reinforces the timing and keeps you honest.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Jumping too high and losing balance.
- Landing flat-footed instead of on the balls of your feet.
- Waiting for the ball to bounce before splitting.
Once the timing feels natural, add direction changes and recovery steps. The split step should feel like a soft reset button every rally.