Kerghan: the split jump( or split step or split jump or “preload jump” or so many other names it goes by) is indeed crucial to any good footwork 🙂

amitkale – what you describe is one way to do it. There is no “concrete” “best” way of doing it. The important thing is that your legs are preloaded to move explosively when you SEE the direction the shuttle is going – so that you can move immediately.

I personally time my split just after my opponent hits their shot if I don't have much time, or start a little earlier if im in good balance. The first one is very very quick widening of the stance and bending of the knees – getting my quads ready to move explosively. The second is more like a vertical jump, that lands in the position described above.

Some people land on one foot (to move off in the opposite direction), whilst some others land on both, but most of the time, a player will use a combination of both during a match/rally. As long as you are never “fooled” or late getting to a shot, then you are doing it well enough 🙂 I struggle sometimes if I am playing someone who knows how to increase their pace quickly at the correct times (i.e. when I am in trouble, they step up their pace and take a shuttle a fraction earlier than I expect – putting me on the back foot).

What you do sounds very sensible, and if it works for you, then thats great 🙂 Just be careful not to go too “high” during your hop – too high is counter productive in many cases – your legs should remain bent throughout the movement (but should become “More” bent – a lower stance – after the split is completed).

Matt

That is one way of moving and works in certain situations 🙂 Not sensible all of the time however. For example, if looking to retrieve a fast sliced drop shot on the forehand side, this movement you describe will take far too long. You do not need to go far, but you need to go quickly. In this situation, the cross behind is not needed and not helpful. However, if trying to get to the net on the forehand side to play a tight spinning net shot, then a cross behind may be useful!

Matt