Split-Step Drills to Boost Your Pickleball Speed, Balance, and Court Positioning

Want to react quicker, move with more balance, and dominate the court with smarter positioning? It all starts with one foundational movement: the split-step.

We're excited to announce our very first tutorial video on the Palmera Pickleball YouTube channel, featuring Palmera Academy co-founder Van Damrongsri and competitive juniors Abigail and Jeremy Bourgeois. In this video, Van coaches Jeremy and Abigail while showcasing some effective drilling techniques to ingrain split stepping in your on-court movement.

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Why the Split-Step Matters in Pickleball

In fast-paced pickleball, especially at the competitive level, being just a fraction of a second late can cost you the point. The split-step is what allows players to stay light on their feet and ready to react in any direction the moment their opponent hits the ball. It's used by all high-level players and is a key reason why they seem to "float" across the court.

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What You’ll Learn in the Video

This coaching and drill session dives deep into the mechanics and timing of the split-step. You’ll learn:

• What the split-step is and why it’s so crucial for reaction time, balance, and positioning.
• When to execute it during a point, and how poor timing can actually make your movement slower.
• How to develop the proper form with clear demonstrations from Van, Abigail, and Jeremy.
• Easy and effective drills you can do at home or on the court to make the split-step second nature.

Whether you’re just starting out or working toward tournament play, mastering this one movement will dramatically improve your game.

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Train With Intention

At Palmera Pickleball, we believe in developing a strong foundation. This video is part of our commitment to helping players of all levels develop their technique, sharpen their instincts, and compete with confidence.

So grab your paddle, hit the court, and follow along. Mastering the split-step will change your pickleball game.

Watch the full video below and subscribe to our channel for more game-changing tutorials!

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Check out our first Palmera Pickleball tutorial, where pro Van Damrongsri coaches Jeremy Bourgeois and Abigail Bourgeois through high-impact drills designed to hardwire the split-step into your game.

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