The key to hitting a great shot in tennis is preparation. If a player is unprepared for a shot, the ball will not go where they expect. In fact, the result may be an out of control shot. This tennis article addresses preparation and the importance of a split step. For those players that are unfamiliar with the split step, I will give an in-depth explanation and talk about when it should be used.

What is a split step?

It is a footwork type move that transitions a player from one shot into another. A split step is a neutral position ("ready position") used right before the player decides to hit on the backhand or forehand side.

Note: It is used moments before making the decision of which side of the body to hit on

How do you hit a split step?

It is fairly easy but takes much practice to fully understand its benefits. For a player just starting out, it may seem useless but advanced players depend on a split step many times PER GAME in tennis. It is a pre-shot ritual that will become muscle memory and help you every point of the way.

1. First, get in the "ready position". (Feet shoulder-width apart, weight on the balls of your feet, and racquet out in front of the middle of your body. This is what your split step will look like if you were to take a picture of it in action! Remember this position.

2. Run forward, JUMP into the ready position, and freeze. you should be back in your ready position like in step one, but this time you arrived at this position from running (this is more like how it will happen in a match or during play).

3. Note: The jump should be a subtle and you really should NOT be in the air, but the word jump this is the best way to describe getting from the run to the ready position. Make sure you weight is not too far forward or you may fall over!

4. Make contact with the ball. You have just run from the service line to the net, jumped into the ready position. At this time you are ready to determine which side of your body the ball will be hit from. If your opponent hits to the backhand you should be ready to turn to your backhand side because you were in your "ready" position! (If the ball is hit to your forehand side you should be equally ready)

5. Put it all together. Great work on completing your split step, but the hardest part is yet to come. All though we have divided the split step into several easy to follow steps, it is extremely important to remember that it is supposed to be hit in one fluid motion. There are not supposed to be breaks or waiting period. Your goal in the split step it to time the process so that your make you r decision a second before your opponent makes contact with the ball.

When to use the split step?

It is used in many situations. It is important that you use it the correctly in the right situations. Here is a list of several situations where the split step is used. You will notice it is used very often in a match (the most important are in bold).

1. Return of Serve. Serves come at you fast. Every player uses a split step to prepare for the coming serve.

2. Serve and Volley. With the server rushing in to take the net, it is of most importance that the server uses a split step to set up the next volley.

3. Regular Volleys.

4. Rallies.