Split Step Your Way to Net

For years and years, tennis coaches have been instructing their pupils to go to net. From Billie Jean King to Vic Braden, the greatest teachers all preach the same thing. If you want to win tennis matches, you have to take over the net. John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova were two of the greatest, and their accomplishments speak for themselves. They did it at net, and so can you.

Whether you're a baseliner or volleyer, a pro or beginner, the net is the place to be. You can serve and volley, follow in a deep return or run up to get a drop shot. Any way you get there, once you're at net, you are in control of the point. The key to your success at net is the split step.

Getting to Net
Now that you're committed to becoming a net player, you need to know how to get up there. One of the most important aspects of net play is the approach. The best way to approach the net is in a controlled and balanced manner, ready to react to whatever your opponent gives you. Instead of running full speed from the baseline to the net, run in as far as you can before your opponent makes contact. When the ball hits their racquet, you need to stop on the balls of your feet and be ready to move in any direction. This is known as the split step, or split, and is what you need to do to make a successful net approach.

Executing the Volley
Once you're at net, no matter how you got there, you have to execute the shot. The volley and overhead are key strokes to master so that you can control the net. Hitting a volley doesn't mean to swing as hard as you can. In fact, the volley is a very short and compact stroke. Use it to set up the point so that you get a ball you can put away. The higher over the net a ball comes to you, the more aggressive you can be at hitting a winner. Your overhead is equally important to net success, and the key is positioning. Watch the ball come off your opponent's racquet and anticipate a lob. Get your racquet back quickly and take lots of small steps to get into position to execute. If it's a windy day or there is a lot of spin on the ball, you need these little steps to adjust before making contact.