A ball skids wide, your legs start scrambling, and suddenly the shot you planned to hit is a desperate swipe from off balance. Sound familiar? The tennis chasse step can help you move sideways with more control, arrive in better shape, and stay ready for the next ball—without turning every baseline rally into a sprint across the court.
The chasse is simple to describe: step in the direction you want to go, then let the other foot slide across and catch up without crossing your legs. But timing and purpose make all the difference. Use it well and you can adjust smoothly to a ball near you, set up for a groundstroke, and recover toward the middle. Use it at the wrong moment, and it can leave you shuffling when you should be running.
What is a tennis chasse step?
A chasse step is a sideways movement in which one foot leads and the other follows, closing the gap between your feet while you travel. The feet don’t cross. Think “step, gather, step, gather,” rather than a run or a hop.
For example, if you’re moving to your right, push from your left leg, step right with your right foot, and slide your left foot toward it. Keep a comfortable athletic distance between your feet instead of clicking your heels together. To move left, reverse the pattern.
The chasse is not the same as a crossover step, where one leg crosses over the other to cover more ground quickly. A chasse is useful for controlled lateral movement over a short or moderate distance. A crossover is usually more efficient when the ball is farther away and you need to cover ground fast. Good players use both, often in the same rally.
Why it helps in baseline rallies
Baseline movement isn’t just about getting to the ball. You also need to get your body organized enough to strike it, then be ready for the reply. The chasse gives you a way to make small lateral adjustments while keeping your body facing the court and your balance under control.
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You can make shorter adjustments. If the ball lands only a step or two away, a controlled shuffle may be easier than launching into a big run and braking hard.
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You can stay in a hitting position. With your knees flexed and your feet under you, it’s easier to prepare the racket and rotate through the shot.
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You can keep your options open. A balanced player can still move in either direction after contact, rather than needing extra time to recover from a lunge.
Watch high-level baseline rallies closely and you’ll notice that players don’t simply run to each ball and stop. They mix larger running steps with little adjustment steps as they approach the bounce and line up their strike. The chasse is one useful tool in that final, controlled phase of movement. It won’t replace explosive footwork, but it can help make your movement more precise.
How to perform the chasse step, step by step
1. Start from a ready position
Before your opponent strikes, settle into a balanced ready stance: feet around shoulder-width apart, knees comfortably bent, weight on the balls of your feet, and racket in front. Avoid standing so low that you feel stuck. You want to be springy, not crouched.
Use a split step as your opponent hits. That small timing hop helps you react to the direction of the ball. The chasse comes after that reaction; it doesn’t replace the split step.
2. Push from the leg opposite your direction of travel
To move right, push off the left leg and step right. To move left, push off the right leg and step left. That first push matters: a shuffle without a push can feel slow and heavy, especially if you’re reacting late.
3. Let the trailing foot catch up
After the lead foot steps, bring the other foot toward it. Keep your toes generally facing the net or slightly turned in the direction you’re moving. Don’t let your feet cross. Crossing can tangle your stance and make it harder to change direction.
Keep your head reasonably level and your body from rocking side to side. You don’t need to glide perfectly; you do want to avoid popping upright with every step. A steady posture makes it easier to track the ball and prepare your racket.
4. Make the last adjustment before the bounce
If you have time, use one or more chasse steps to get into position, then make a small final adjustment as you judge the bounce. Don’t keep shuffling automatically after you’re already in the right place. The goal is to arrive with room to swing—not to keep your feet moving for the sake of it.
For a right-handed forehand while moving to your right, for instance, you might use a chasse to reach the ball, then settle into an open stance with your right leg helping support the hit. For a backhand while moving left, you may plant and load through your left side. Exact footwork changes with the shot, your spacing, and whether you hit open, neutral, or closed stance. Treat the chasse as your way of adjusting, not as a fixed stance you must use for every stroke.
5. Recover after you hit
Once you’ve struck the ball, push away from the outside leg and work back toward a useful recovery position. If the next ball is close, a chasse may be enough. If you’ve been pulled wide, use a crossover or running steps to recover faster. Recovery isn’t always a straight sprint to the exact middle; the right position depends on the direction and depth of your shot and your opponent’s likely reply.
When to use a chasse—and when to run
Use the chasse when you have enough time to move under control: a ball near your strike zone, a small adjustment along the baseline, or a recovery that doesn’t require covering a lot of court. It’s especially handy when you want to stay balanced while preparing a groundstroke.
Don’t force it on a ball that’s pulling you well outside your comfortable reach. If you need to cover substantial distance quickly, use crossover steps or a run first. You can then transition into short adjustment steps as you approach the ball. Trying to shuffle all the way to a wide ball may cost precious time, while crossing your feet during a close, controlled shuffle can make you feel awkward.
| Situation | Useful movement choice | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|
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A ball is one or two steps to the side |
Chasse and small adjustment steps |
Stay low enough to prepare and leave room for the swing |
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A ball is pulling you wide |
Crossover or running steps, then adjust |
Cover ground first; don’t try to shuffle the entire distance |
|
You’re recovering after a wide shot |
Run or crossover if needed; chasse for the final adjustment |
Recover toward a position that matches your shot and the rally |
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You’re holding your ground in a fast exchange |
Short chasse steps |
Keep your feet active without over-shuffling |
Three drills to build better lateral movement
1. The no-ball rhythm drill
Start at the baseline in your ready stance. Split step, chasse two steps to the right, pause in balance, then chasse two steps left. Repeat for 20 to 30 seconds, rest, and do another round. Keep your feet from crossing and your upper body quiet. Begin slowly; speed up only when the movement feels smooth.
This drill helps you feel the difference between pushing into a step and merely dragging your feet. If your feet slap the court or your stance keeps narrowing, slow down and reset.
2. Feed-and-hit adjustment drill
Ask a partner to feed balls a little to either side of you, alternating directions without sending them too wide. Split step as the feed is made, chasse into position, and hit a controlled groundstroke. Start at about half pace. Aim for good spacing and a balanced finish rather than maximum power.
Once the timing feels comfortable, have your partner vary the feed slightly. In a real rally, the ball won’t arrive at a perfectly predictable distance every time, so your movement needs to adapt.
3. Chasse-to-crossover drill
Place two markers a few metres apart along the baseline. Shuffle with chasse steps toward one marker. On a partner’s call or hand signal, move quickly toward the other marker using a crossover or running step. Finish with a controlled chasse as you arrive. Repeat in both directions.
This drill teaches an important match skill: changing gears. You don’t want one movement pattern for every ball. You want to shuffle when it suits the situation and accelerate when it doesn’t.
Common chasse mistakes—and quick fixes
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Crossing the feet: That turns your controlled shuffle into a tangled step. Keep the trailing foot moving toward the lead foot without passing it.
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Taking steps that are too wide: Huge side steps can pull your body off balance and leave you scrambling to recover. Use a push and a manageable step, then adjust.
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Standing tall: If you rise out of your athletic stance, your next push-off may feel slow. Keep a comfortable bend in your knees and stay relaxed through your upper body.
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Shuffling for too long: The chasse is not always the fastest way across court. If the ball is far away, run or use crossover steps, then settle into controlled footwork near the ball.
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Watching your feet: Keep your eyes on the ball and your opponent. Practise the movement slowly enough that your feet start to find the pattern without constant checking.
Put it into your match plan
In your next practice set, don’t try to chasse on every ball. Instead, look for one moment: a ball that’s close enough for controlled lateral movement. Split step as your opponent hits, push in the right direction, and use the trailing foot to gather. Then notice whether you can hit with better spacing and recover sooner.
Also pay attention to the court position you’re trying to regain. If you’ve hit a deep crosscourt ball, the best recovery spot may not be dead centre. If you’ve been pulled wide and hit a short reply, you may need to recover more aggressively. The chasse helps with movement, but good positioning still depends on reading the rally.
Build the pattern at a comfortable pace before adding speed. If you have recurring knee, ankle, or hip pain, don’t push through it just to practise footwork; reduce the intensity and seek qualified guidance. Good movement should feel athletic and controlled, not painful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the chasse step the same as a side shuffle?
They’re closely related. In tennis, “chasse” often describes a side-shuffling action where one foot leads and the other follows without crossing. Coaches may use the terms a little differently, but the key idea is controlled lateral movement with your feet uncrossed.
Should I use the chasse for every ball near the baseline?
No. It’s useful for short and moderate sideways adjustments, but a wide ball may call for crossover or running steps. Choose the movement that gets you there on time, then use smaller steps to organize your stance if the situation allows.
How many chasse steps should I take before hitting?
There isn’t a fixed number. It depends on your starting position, the ball’s direction, and how much time you have. Focus on arriving with good spacing and enough time to swing, rather than counting steps.
Can beginners practise the chasse at home?
Yes. Use a clear, nonslip surface and start with slow side-to-side steps, keeping your feet uncrossed and your movement comfortable. Once the pattern feels natural, add a split step and practise on court with easy feeds.
Final Thoughts
The chasse step won’t magically make every wide ball easy, but it can make your everyday baseline movement feel calmer and more connected. Start with the basics: split step, push in the direction of travel, let the other foot gather, and keep your balance as you prepare to hit. Use it for controlled adjustments, switch to running steps when you need more speed, and practise the transition between the two.
That’s the payoff: not fancy footwork for its own sake, but arriving in a position where you can strike the ball with intent—and still be ready for whatever comes next.
