An oversized final step crowds the ball.
Brake earlier and adjust with smaller steps.
OPEN COURT SKILL STUDIO
Footwork: travel, adjust & recover
Use different steps for reaching the ball, adjusting contact spacing and recovering.
TENNIS · 10 minutes focused practice
1. Start balanced and use purposeful travel steps for a distant ball.
Diagrams explain direction, not prescribed joint angles. Orange shows the ball or movement direction. Adapt your stance to the incoming ball.
Step-by-step technique
- 1
Start balanced and use purposeful travel steps for a distant ball.
- 2
Slow down near contact and make small spacing adjustments.
- 3
Use a balanced stance that suits the ball instead of forcing one fixed foot position.
- 4
Recover according to the next ball and court situation, not automatically to one spot every time.
Common mistakes & fixes
Watching your shot without recovering.
Finish and become ready to move again.
Court drill
Place flat markers at a centre and two sides. Move out, shadow a stroke and recover: three sets of six.
Self-check
Check that your final steps get smaller and you stop under control. Use flat markers that do not create trip hazards.
Match application
Practise both directions slowly before adding a live ball.
