Split Step Your Way to Net
By Sandra Eggers

For years and year, 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.

Having the Right Mentality
When you are at net, you control the point. You're also closer to your opponent when they're hitting the ball, so it's going to come back quickly and  you need to be ready to react. Your main objective at net is to get every ball back in play. Don't let anything get by you. That means you need to be aware of what your opponent is doing to you, and what their positioning is on the court. This will help you decide if you should close in or stay back a bit. When you're at net, you are looking for any chance to move in and put the point away. To do this, you have to get the ball in play and be ready for it to come back. Never let your opponent think they've been successful at backing you off the net. You may need to retrieve a lob at the baseline, but be ready to find another opportunity to come back in. It keeps the pressure on your opponent and makes them think.

These are three easy steps to help you get to net and win there. It can be done, even if you don't like to volley. Get up there and start working at it. You'll never get better if you don't give it a try. John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova can't both be wrong.