What is a Split Step and Why Does it Matter?

One of the most common mistakes I see on the courts is when players hit, their bodies are still in motion instead of stopping their motion, hitting, then moving again. In other words, their bodies are moving through their stroke. The reason hitting a ball with your body in motion can cause issues is that it makes the equation more complicated. The ball is in motion and your arm is in motion. If you body is also in motion it is more complicated to judge

1. the power needed to send the ball
2. the timing of your contact
3. the angle and direction of the paddle face at the moment of contact

Being quick to get yourself to the area where the ball is going to bounce before it arrives will help. If you can get your body to the ball so that you are not stretching and reaching for it, stop your motion, hit the ball, and then move to the next place on the court you need to get to. Approaching your shots this way will reduce the variables involved when you are hitting, the quality of your shots will improve, and by moving to the next point on the court quickly, you will be better positioned to receive the next ball. Don't run through your strokes.

How do advanced players maneuver themselves to where the ball is going so smoothly?

Split step instead

This is where the split step comes in. A split step is the stop before the ball gets to you, that allows you to adjust your trajectory and body orientation so you can receive the ball, send it with intention, and then move again. Here is a video of players executing split steps as they transition to the kitchen after the serve. Watch the players feet on the near side of the court.

Here are a couple of things to note about split stepping. It's not fancy footwork. It's essentially just a hop with both feet with your knees slightly bent. It's so simple it seems stupid, but it can make a huge difference in your ability to control the ball you send back to your opponents. Footwork like this separates players who look frantic and panicked on the court from players who look to be in control of the point.

If the ball comes nicely toward you, once you have executed your split step, you can adjust to receive the ball with a backhand or forehand, hit the ball, and then continue moving. If the ball your opponents send is going to be difficult to reach because they hit it at an angle away from you, a split step allows you to quickly change directions and move to the ball. Having both feet under your body with your knees bent means you can easily push off to move in any direction necessary to chase a ball my clever opponents tried to slip past me.

Does the receiver need to split step?

Watch the video again, but this time, watch the player who receives the serve on the far side of the court. That player doesn't stop because he is able to get all the way to the net before the serving team received the ball back. That is the idea situation for the receiving team. However, there will be times when you play that the serve causes you enough trouble that you cannot quite get all the way to the net. If you get caught in the transition when your opponents are sending the ball back in your direction, split step as the ball comes back.

What is the right timing to execute the split step?

Like many things in pickleball, the answer is, it depends. You need enough time to stop and adjust. Generally speaking, if your opponents are hitting a ball below the net and you expect it to come more slowly, you will have more time and you might be able to split step as the ball is crossing the net. If your opponents are loading up to blast the ball at you because they have an opportunity to hit it higher than the net, you may want to split step as they load up their backswing because once the ball gets fired off their paddle, you are not going to have much time to react.

Things to consider:

• How agile are you?
• How skilled are your opponents?
• How are your opponents setting up for the ball?
• How fast do you expect it to come off their paddle?
• How much distance is between you and the player who is hitting the ball?

All of these questions are about the time it takes you to react verses the time you expect to have to react. How much time will you have, and how much time do you need to be properly set to receive the next ball? If you are very agile, you may need less time. If your opponents are more skilled and capable of attacking balls even when you hit a good drop shot, you may want to split step a fraction of a second sooner. If the ball is likely to come fast, split step a little early to give yourself time to prepare. If the ball is likely to come slowly, you can split step a second later.

The advantage of a later split step is it allows you to continue your forward motion through the transition zone.

As a rule of thumb, you want to be stopped when your opponents are making contact with the ball. The purpose of the split step is to give you a stable foundation with both feet so that, when you see the direction the ball is moving in, you can adjust, move your self into position, and receive the ball, making good contact in front of your body.

Practice it and play with your timing. If you can focus on this skill, it will become automatic for you. 

The other side of the coin...

If proper footwork and split stepping is helpful to maintain control of your shots, how can you use this knowledge against opponents who are not executing a split step?

Target the player in motion
If your opponent is on the move, send a ball to that player rather than the player who is set at the net or who has successfully executed a split step. 

Hit the ball behind them

If my opponent is running toward the middle of the court from the outside line and I send a ball back toward that outside line, there is a good chance they won't even be able to put a paddle on it, and if they do, odds are it won't be a good one.

Drive it right at them

A hard fast ball will be multiplied by your opponent's forward momentum. If they are coming in hot, sending them a drive doesn't give them time to make decisions about whether your ball is in or out, it doesn't give them time to adjust their paddle. If a split step gives the player time, when they don't split step, that takes time away, and hitting a fast ball at them multiplies the effect.

I hope you found this helpful. Comment below if you have questions, feedback, or just let me know if you are enjoying this content.

Thanks for stopping by!

No Fun David