Tennis Footwork, Split Step Lesson 3 of 3: Pivot and Fake

My first two videos in this three part series focused on the technique and the timing of a split step. Today we’re going to take a look at how the pros use the split step during competitive points to move around the court as efficiently as possible.

I’ll also be showing you two different examples of when you do NOT want to use a split step, something that often gets left out of tennis footwork instruction.

The details shown by the pros in this video really explain why they look so smooth and effortless moving around the court. Your average person has no idea all of this is going on during the points that they see on TV, even if they play tennis a lot themselves. If you can start implementing these patterns even a little bit on the court then I promise your court coverage will increase dramatically!

Video 1 of 3: Split Step Technique — Click Here!
Video 2 of 3: Split Step Timing — Click Here!

Tennis Footwork, Split Step Lesson 2 of 3: Timing

In my first video in this series about the split step (click here to view) I spoke in detail about how the split step really is a make-or-break element of your tennis footwork. High level players use it and low level players don’t, period. I also used David Ferrer as a model to teach the 3 main technique keys to a quality split step.

In today’s video you’re going to learn about what is really the art behind the split step: timing. Just doing it in general is your first step down the road to success, but once you get past that point performing your split step at precisely the right time is the difference between getting to the next shot or watching it go by.

As with most things, the way the pros perform the split step is incredibly precise. So much so that the point in time that they actually touch their feet to the ground will probably surprise you (it definitely surprised me the first time I found out).

A word of warning: if you’re currently just getting started with the split step then I don’t recommend that you try and copy the timing of the pros. I explain why and what I suggest instead in today’s video!

Did the pro’s timing surprise YOU? Let me know in the comments below! 

Video 1 of 3: Split Step Technique — Click Here!
Video 3 of 3: Pivot and Fake — Click Here!

Tennis Footwork, Split Step Lesson 1 of 3: Technique

The split step is so incredibly important to your success on the tennis court and yet SO many recreational players completely skip it. If you’re one of those players (be honest!), or if you currently only use a split step once in a while then you’re going to want to pay very close attention to this video and the two others about the split step coming out very soon.

In this video I’ll be defining the purpose of the split step and also using David Ferrer as an example to teach the correct technique of the split step. In video 2 of 3 (coming soon) I’ll be using the pros again to show you precisely how to time your split step correctly, and in video 3 of 3 I’ll be showing you examples of how the pros use the split step during actual competitive points.

So be honest: do you currently use the split step every time your partner/opponent hits a shot? Tell me below after you check out the video. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Video 2 of 3: Split Step Timing — Click Here!
Video 2 of 3: Pivot and Fake — Click Here!