Split step
As a split step is known in tennis it into the ready position. It is one of the most important characteristics of good footwork, which plays a central role in tennis.
Purpose and execution
Shortly before each individual stroke of his opponent, the tennis player jumps a few centimeters from the ground and then tries to land on the ball of the two feet that are parallel and shoulder-width apart, as soon as possible after the opponent has hit the ball. The knees are slightly bent when braking after hitting the ground. The tennis racket points slightly at an angle to the backhand side and is supported with the non-striking hand. This attitude is the ready position.
Since a tennis player does not know where his opponent is going to play the ball before each stroke, it is necessary that at the moment when he believes he recognizes the target of the stroke, he is in a position from which he is "explosive "" can run in all directions. by using the split step into the ready position jumps , the tennis player Starts ensures that the person responsible for a quick start of muscles at the crucial moment optimally pre-stretched and stretched it. the tennis player exactly at this moment to the ball , a stretching-shortening cycle occurs in the muscles , which enables the tennis player to start faster than if he had gone to the ready position without jumping. The effect of the split step is roughly comparable to the tensioning of two springs, that are strapped under the soles of your shoes.
Precise timing is required so that the split step has the desired effect. The tennis player must land on the ground again at the exact moment when he can see where the ball is going, because he wants to start to the ball immediately afterwards. If he starts too early, the tension in the muscles is released prematurely. If he jumps too late, then at the decisive moment he is still in the air and cannot immediately start to the ball.