The split step is the most important piece to being effective at moving from the baseline to the net. You can have a fantastic approach shot and fabulous volleys and still not succeed when transitioning from the baseline to the net. Usually the overriding answer is you forgot to SPLIT STEP!

What is a Split Step

The split step is utilized while transitioning from the baseline to the net and in between volleys. The split step is a movement with your feet that allows you to equalize your body weight on both legs. This is accomplished with a quick little hop-skip step that allows you to land on the court with your weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet. This equal distribution allows you to easily and efficiently change directions and move to your next shot.

Why Split Step

When approaching the net we need to stop our forward momentum by utilizing the split step. The split step helps you to balance your body to better react to your opponents next shot. It would be wonderful if our opponents would just hit the ball right back to us so we do not have to split step, but unfortunately they aren’t normally so nice. The split step allows us to move left, right, forward or backward. This is an extremely important point. The split step is giving us time to prepare our body for our next move to the ball. This helps us move in a more controlled manner without any diving or lunging after shots. The split step also helps to keep us from just looking at shots going past us without any chance of making a play on the ball.

The split step is also important in giving us time to read what kind of shot is coming to us. What do I mean by read? I mean to register how fast or slow, high or low, far or close the ball is coming at us. To me this is the overriding factor for utilizing the split step. This allows us to start moving to a ball that is to our left early and help make a more controlled and precise volley.

How many times have opponents lobbed you because you were too busy trying to get to the net that you couldn’t even make a play on a mediocre lob. The problem: No split step. The split step would have allowed you to read and react to the lob earlier. It helps us to determine if we should be backing up for an overhead or chasing down the lob.

Where on the Court should I Split Step

There is no definitive area in which to plan your split step. Usually the split step is used around the service line. However, I do not want to perpetuate just running and stopping at the service line. That could cause you to split too late to be effective in moving to your next shot. The where depends on many factors: how hard and how deep your shot is hit, how quick you make the decision to attack the net and how fast you are moving to the net. This means you may find you split step behind the service line, at the service line or in front of the service line all during the same match. I know this ambiguity makes it sound like the split step is going to cause more problems than it will success, but that is just not the case. Do not get discouraged, the split step will take some practice with trial and error testing to get your timing down, but the benefits will soon appear in more controlled and successful volleys.

When Should I Split Step

The accepted philosophy for when to split step is when your opponent starts their swing. This would allow you to read the ball and determine your best course of action. However, lots of people tell me that they know when to split, but they cannot keep their feet from sneaking in some extra steps, which causes them to be ineffective and unprepared at the net. Therefore, I tell people to say I need to split when my shot bounces on my opponents side of the court. That way if my feet try to sneak those extra steps in, I still am stopped in time to read my opponents shot. This should allow me to feel more controlled, prepared and effective while at the net.

Problems Associated with the Split Step

If you did split step and you still are having trouble with your transition game it can usually be traced back to two reasons.

Reason #1: You ended up waiting where you split to hit your next shot, without ever moving to the ball. Remember the split step is not an opportunity to set up camp. You should not pitch a tent where you split step and plan to play the point from there. The split step is just a pause before you move to your next shot.

Reason #2: Not splitting at the right time, usually splitting too late. Yes, we all know that we should split when our opponent is getting prepared to strike the ball. But if any of you are like me sometimes you feel like your brain knows you are supposed to be stopping, but your feet just keep going. I have found that by telling yourself to split step when your shot bounces on your opponents side of the net your feet end up splitting when your opponent starts their swing. Perfect timing!

Reasons for Not Split-Stepping

Many people tell me that the split step keeps them from getting to the net. The split step may cause you to hit an extra shot or possibly two before reaching your volleying comfort zone, but it is just a pause it is not a stopping point. You should always remember it is more important to be ready for the next shot than it is to be really close to the net!

Hopefully, I will see lots of successful split steps out on the court and improved transition games as a result. Good luck and always remember the party is at the NET!!