Level up your game
What is a split-step?
Learn how to be ready for the next shot, after every shot.
The split-step is the small hop you take just as your opponent strikes the ball. You land on the balls of your feet, knees soft, feet a little wider than your shoulders: loaded and ready to push off in any direction.
Time it too early and you're flat-footed by the time the ball arrives; too late and you're still in the air. Watch any pro return a serve and you'll see it, every single point.
Drill to try this week: Say “hop”
Have a partner feed from the service line. Say “hop” out loud and split the instant their racquet meets the ball, land, then move. Ten balls to the forehand, ten to the backhand, then mix it up. The goal: land before you know which side the ball is going.