What is the purpose of the split step?

**Pureskillz76** · 05-04-2009, 10:26 PM

I really want to know why players use this. When i try this step, i find it harder to move then just standing normally. Can anybody tell me how this benefits a player?

**RacketlonCanada** · 05-04-2009, 10:31 PM

Why do cats do a small jump when they're surprised?

**Pureskillz76** · 05-04-2009, 10:32 PM

that can't seriously be the purpose of a split step can it?

**jymbalaya** · 05-04-2009, 11:49 PM

it allows you to have a point when you kill your inertia, so you can push off in any direction. it should help you with your footwork, unless you can read your opponents like a book.

**Jing09** · 05-05-2009, 12:36 AM

hey check out this video on the split step.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU6tm_gaqO4
although it's on tennis, it's the same thing.
There is another thread that talks about the split step, try finding it :P

**RacketlonCanada** · 05-06-2009, 06:17 PM

Pureskillz, the cats jump to be ready. Jymbalaya coined it well: to be ready to push off the ground and to kill inertia. I'd add that it also helps to time yourself to the pace of your opponent. If you watch a match between two good players, as the game goes on you will notice they split step better compared to the beginning of the game; thus the rallies become longer.

I would not really recommend jings video because the tennis player is so high (no need to get shots close to the ground). In badminton you have to be really low.

Excellent video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lh04AxI6aw

Notice there is different types of split steps depending on the shot you just did.