How To Split Step Like The Pros

WEEK 12

Welcome back to the Road to Pro! Do you want to learn how to move quickly on the court like the pros? This week I’ll be going over the proper technique to help you do just that.

Each week, I share one tip, one drill, and answer one question. The question I answer every week is chosen from questions YOU submit, and the person who submitted the question will receive a FREE paddle! Last week, Samuel submitted a great question and won himself a $250 Selkirk Luxx.

To submit your question(s), click on the button below to be taken to a Google submission form:

Hint: There is no limit to how many questions you can submit!

Tip of the Week

Split step earlier

Split stepping is crucial for moving efficiently to the kitchen line. I used to split step incorrectly by kind of jumping into the split step with one foot, allowing my momentum to carry me into it and stopping abruptly by planting my second foot after. However, observing players like Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud showed me a more effective technique: they stop their momentum before executing the split step, rather than letting their momentum take them into it.

You should stop your forward momentum, then plant both feet simultaneously in a lateral position. By stabilizing your stance before split stepping, you achieve better balance, enabling quicker responses to your opponent’s shots.

Ideally, you want to be stopped, balanced, and split stepping the moment your opponent makes contact with the ball (if not before). If you’re still moving or balancing after your opponent hits the ball, you’ll have significantly less time to react with an effective counter shot.

Drill Highlight

Learn the proper technique for split stepping

Here’s a drill that can help you learn how to split step like Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud.

Have your drilling partner stand at the kitchen line on one side of the court and position yourself at the backline. Your goal is to transition to the kitchen line. As you move towards the kitchen, focus on stopping wherever you are and getting balanced into your split step BEFORE your partner makes contact with the ball. Every time you successfully make it to the kitchen, reset to the backline and run it again. Your primary focus with this drill is not to get the perfect drops, but rather to execute accurate split steps quickly. Proper technique enhances your lateral movement speed, allowing you to return more shots no matter where you are on the court.

Personally, I like to practice the movement of split stepping even when I’m not on the pickleball court. You can do this at home or any other spacious area. Take three or four jogging steps forward, stop your momentum, and transition into a lateral split step. This practice builds muscle memory for when you’re on the court and need to implement this in your game.

Q&A Spotlight

Lenon asked a great question this week, and here’s my response.

Answer: There are several things you can do when you are being iced out of the game, and it also depends on what position you find yourself in on the court. Here are three different scenarios for when your partner is being targeted, and what you can do to counteract this:

1. When your opponents are serving

   When you’re returning an opponent’s serve, hit to the opponent directly in front of your partner. If they want to keep targeting your partner, they will be forced to hit a straight shot across the net rather than cross-court. It’s more challenging to hit a nice, low shot straight ahead instead of cross-court. If your opponents choose to hit to your partner, it could result in higher, more attackable balls for your partner to take.

2. In a dinking rally

   There are two approaches:

   • Encourage your partner to slide over and get closer to their sideline. As you move with them, you will shrink their side of the court, giving your opponents a much smaller target. This could either cause them to make an error, or to hit a dink to you instead, which is exactly what you want.

   • Often, a dinking rally will be stuck between two players hitting cross-court. If your partner is caught in a cross-court rally, they can redirect a dink to the opponent straight ahead. This will often shift the direction of the rally, giving you the shots instead.

3. When you serve

   If you or your partner have served, you can take a step or two into the court, baiting your opponents to hit their return to you. Stepping into the court won’t necessarily be harmful to you unless they hit a perfect, deep return on the baseline. But if you’re well-prepared and confident in your skills, this could be an effective strategy.

Check out the video below to see which paddle Lenon won for his question.

If you have a question you’d like for me to answer, please click the button below to fill out the question submission form.

If your question is chosen for next week’s newsletter, you’ll win a free paddle!

Videos You’ll Enjoy

• I’ve been playing a lot of singles for the past several months, and I’m training to get better. I take every opportunity to learn from other players so I can elevate my singles game. If you’re someone who’s looking for some solid singles tips, check out the video below to learn from a pro.

  

• Here’s another chance at a FREE paddle! The new Selkirk x Rhone Luxx Control Air was just released, and I’m giving one away. Click on the video below to find out how you can enter to win!

sheaunderwood_

View more on Instagram

Share the Road to Pro Newsletter

Share this newsletter with others! The button below will take you to my website where you can copy the URL to send to anyone you think may enjoy this content.

OR copy and paste this link: https://sheaunderwood.com