Play to your highest potential.

One of the most important—and most overlooked—pieces of footwork in pickleball is the split step.

You can have great hands and great technique, but if you’re still moving when your opponent makes contact with the ball, you’re making the next shot much harder than it needs to be.

What is a split step?

A split step is a small hop or bounce that puts you in an athletic, balanced position just before you react to your opponent’s shot.

The key word is small.

You don’t need to jump high or make an exaggerated movement. The goal is simply to get your feet underneath you, your weight balanced, and your body ready to move in any direction.

Timing is everything

This is where I see a lot of players struggle.

Your split step should be timed so that you’re landing and becoming balanced around the time your opponent makes contact with the ball.

Why?

Because once your opponent hits the ball, you need to be able to react immediately.

If you’re still running forward when they make contact, you’re much more vulnerable to a ball hit at your feet, behind you, or into an open space.

This is especially important when transitioning from the baseline toward the kitchen.

Don’t feel like you have to get all the way to the kitchen line in one trip.

Move forward when you have the opportunity, but as your opponent prepares to hit, split step and establish your balance. Handle the next ball, then continue moving forward when it’s appropriate.

Think: Move. Split. React.

A simple sequence I teach is:

Move → Split → React → Move again

You’re moving while the ball gives you time.

You’re splitting as your opponent prepares to make contact.

Then you’re reacting to the shot they actually hit—not guessing while you’re still running.

Don’t run through the ball

One of the most common mistakes I see is players charging toward the kitchen and trying to volley while their momentum is still carrying them forward.

That makes controlling the paddle much more difficult.

Instead, prioritize balance.

A controlled volley from a good athletic position is usually going to be more effective than reaching the kitchen line half a second sooner but being completely off balance when the ball arrives.

Try this next time you play

Pay attention to your opponent’s contact point.

Every time they’re about to strike the ball, ask yourself:

Am I balanced and ready to react?

If the answer is consistently yes, you’ll probably notice something pretty quickly—you’ll feel like you have more time.

The ball didn’t slow down.

You were just ready sooner.

— Coach Jaron