Pro tennis players split-step before every opponent shot. Small hop, both feet off the ground, land in athletic stance. The split-step times the body to the ball and lets the player push off in any direction. Without it, the first step is slow.
What you need: Tennis racquet (no ball needed at first).
Setup: Player on the baseline in ready stance.
How to run it:
- Coach calls “go.” Player does a small hop, both feet leave the ground.
- Land in athletic stance: feet shoulder-width, knees bent, weight on balls of feet.
- Coach calls a direction: “right” or “left.”
- Player pushes off the correct foot and shuffles 3 steps that direction.
- Reset. Do 10 reps mixing directions.
What to watch: Land position. The split-step landing should be soft and balanced, not stiff and tall. Knees bent on landing.
If they’re struggling: Slower calls. Shorter shuffles.
If they’ve got it: Add a fed ball. Player split-steps, reads the ball direction, shuffles to it, hits.