JohnCincolaPickleball
Hey guys, it’s John from John Cincola Pickleball. There’s a magic move in pickleball that can have you ready to react to anything your opponent throws at you. Stick around, and I’ll tell you exactly what it is.
You may have heard of the term split step before. In theory, it’s a simple concept: a movement that gets us ready to react to what our opponent does. However, in practice, there’s some nuance if you want to do it right.
In this article, I’m going to explain what it is, how to do it, and how you can practice and improve it. Let’s get into it.
What Is a Split Step and Why Is It Important?
Every time your opponent is about to hit the ball, we don’t know where it’s going, how hard, or which direction. The split step helps us get into a balanced, neutral position with our legs loaded and ready to react.
As soon as the ball comes off their paddle, you’re in your most athletic and balanced position so you can move quickly in any direction.
Three Keys to a Perfect Split Step
There are three things you need to focus on:
- Timing
- Getting both feet to land at the same time
- Maintaining good body posture
Timing Is Everything
Timing is the most critical aspect. If you get it wrong, the split step won’t help you.
The key is this: right before your opponent hits the ball, both feet should touch the ground at the same time. This loads your legs like rubber bands, ready to push explosively in any direction.
Common timing mistakes include:
- Walking into the split step. If one foot hits before the other, you lose balance.
- Too early. If you split and then wait, you’ll feel stuck.
- Too late. If the ball is already off their paddle, you’re behind.
Keep Both Feet Touching Together
Landing both feet at the same time gives you equal ability to push left or right. If one foot is ahead, your movement will be limited.
Maintain Good Body Posture
Don’t let your chest collapse forward. A common mistake is leaning too much with forward momentum. Instead:
- Keep your chin up
- Keep your chest up
- Stay balanced and ready to explode in any direction
Drills to Improve Your Split Step
Drill 1: The X Drill (No Ball Needed)
Move laterally both directions, then forward and back, performing a split step in the middle each time. The goal is to:
- Shuffle a few steps
- Land both feet together
- Move in every direction like you would in a game
Drill 2: Timing With a Ball Bounce
You’ll need a ball for this drill. Start by shuffling a few steps in one direction, then toss the ball into the air. Make sure the toss is high enough to give yourself time to react.
As the ball comes down, time your split step so that both feet land on the ground at the exact moment the ball bounces. Immediately after it hits, change direction and sprint to catch the ball.
Drill 3: Baseline Rally With a Partner
Grab a partner and rally from baseline to baseline at an easy pace. Focus on timing your split step with the ball coming off their paddle. This is all about rhythm. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes.
For exclusive content and full-version tutorials, make sure to check out my YouTube channel, ➡️ John Cincola Pickleball.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a video by John Cincola. We partnered with him to highlight key concepts in a written format for players who prefer to read or reference drills on the court.
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