Split Step Every Time Your Opponent Makes Contact

Summary

Universal Rackets ties the split step to a childhood dodgeball edge that came from tennis muscle memory. Hopping lightly as the throw left someone’s hand made it easy to push off and move.

On the pickleball court, do the same: when your opponent makes contact, split-step so you are loaded to move. Stand up and practice the timing — they hit, you hop — until it is automatic.

Key takeaways

• Split-step when the opponent contacts the ball
• The hop loads you to push off in any direction
• Train the timing until it is automatic

Action items

• In drills, say ‘hit’ out loud on their contact and split on that word
• Play a game where a missed split step costs a point