Coaches stress the importance of footwork in tennis and no one would argue that to play at a high level, footwork is a necessary skill. Footwork to me is the ability to move efficiently into and out of the appropriate shot on balance. Overuse of steps just for the sake of “looking good” or being active is very counter productive and thus why it is important teaching the appropriate footwork for the most common shots being received and sent. There are four components of good footwork, #1 split step, or flow step, #2 into step #3 stroke footwork and #4 recovery step.
Every on court scenario will have nuances to how your footwork is organized into the shot, during and out of the shot(recovery). Each component is equally important and is integrated to work best in each scenario. For example, a two foot pivot is designed to explode into the shot, but also align the feet for the optimal recovery.
Learning and training proper footwork also requires a baseline of strength, agility and balance to perform these patterns. Here are some drills to incorporate with the specific footwork instruction.
Here are the most common footwork patterns that every high level tennis player should know and be comfortable with:
Mogul Step: https://youtu.be/jhCRJD_687k
Scenario: receiving an out wide ball, forehand or backhand
Flow step is the most efficient first step followed by cross over steps and using an open stance with a hop pivot that lands a half step to the outside and push off the outside foot after the stroke, then crossover, shuffle recovery.
Backhand footwork options:
Cross step:
Scenario- out wide backhand, closed stance lunge. This can be used in lieu of the mogul step on the backhand, especially if there is a need or opportunity for a last minute step “up” with the inside foot cutting off an angle.
Backhand lunge step – out wide backhand (cross step) lunge, swing then bring outside foot around, push off, recover.
Backhand inside step : https://youtu.be/EdupRukU1HI?t=127
Reverse Spin: Moving back, aggressive forehand, typically bouncing up
When being forced back to hit a high ball, you can utilize the reverse spin, which is like a combination of two foot pivot and mogul step. You are essentially lifting up as you hit, spinning and landing your left foot (righty) towards the back fence to catch your balance.
Two foot pivot : a very common neutral ball aggressive footwork, typically in the middle of the court
One foot pivot- Open stance, raise inside leg and pivot off outside foot for delivering angular energy to the shot, then push off outside foot to recover. Used in neutral and offensive situations with proper spacing.
Transfer step -load, transfer to left from open stance, for a short transition ball
Inside Drop step -inside out Forehand footwork to run around backhand
Defensive Drop Step : handling deep balls, with crossover steps
Hop step– short ball approach
Walking Step-short ball transition, walk through forehand approach, open stance, typically followed by a move to the net. This is most common for attackable balls that are waist high or higher and you may need to move slightly lateral to contact.
Back foot hop – Defensive deep ball pattern, inside knee up as your rotate through the shot
Karaoke Slice -transition footwork, through short ball
Closed Stance: bh slice, backhand lunge,FH volley lunge
General footwork tips:
Flow Split step: advanced players flow split, landing on the inside foot, stepping out with the outside foot to “flow” in the direction of the ball. The flow split is later than a normal split step, however it is quicker to wide balls and gets the momentum going faster to the incoming ball.
Drop step : fastest lateral movement to outside ball; defensive situations
Double drop step : sprint forward to short ball
Coach Kyle
Tennis Development Innovation 