A good tennis ready position gives you a head start on the next shot. It helps you move quickly to either side, stay balanced and prepare your racket before the ball arrives. The goal is not to hold a stiff pose, but to stay relaxed and ready to react.
Whether you are learning tennis or trying to sharpen your footwork, small details matter: where your feet point, how you hold the racket and when you split-step. Here’s how to build a ready position that works during rallies, returns and net play.
What Is the Tennis Ready Position?
The tennis ready position is the athletic stance you use between shots so you can move in any direction. You usually take it after hitting the ball and as your opponent prepares to make contact. From there, you can push off toward a forehand, backhand, volley or short ball.
Think of it as a starting point, not a pose you freeze in. A player who stays loose and adjusts their feet is better prepared than one who crouches too low and waits. The best ready position also changes with the situation: a deep serve, a fast exchange at the net and a slow rally ball do not call for exactly the same stance.
How to Get Into a Ready Position
- Set your feet about shoulder-width apart. This gives you a stable base without making it hard to move. If your feet are too close, you may feel off balance; if they are too wide, your first step can feel slow.
- Bend your knees and lean slightly forward. Keep your weight over the balls of your feet, not back on your heels. Your back should stay comfortably straight, with a small forward tilt from the hips.
- Hold the racket in front of you. Keep it around waist to chest height, with your elbows relaxed. Use your non-dominant hand to support the racket throat. This makes it easier to prepare for either side.
- Keep your eyes on your opponent. Watch the opponent’s racket and contact point as well as the ball. Those cues help you read the direction and pace of the shot.
- Stay light on your feet. Make small adjustments rather than standing still. Just before your opponent hits, use a split step to prepare to move.
Your grip should be comfortable and ready for your next shot. Many players use a neutral continental-style grip between shots because it can make transitions to volleys and backhands easier. If you are learning, though, avoid gripping too tightly or trying to force one grip for every shot. The key is to keep the racket in front and make your grip change early when needed.
The Split Step: Timing Your First Move
The split step is a small hop that helps you react in either direction. Start the hop as your opponent begins the forward swing and aim to land around the moment they make contact. As your feet land, you can push off toward the ball.
If you split-step too early, you may land and have to wait while your opponent is still preparing. If you do it too late, the ball may already be on its way before you are balanced. You do not need a high jump; a low, quick hop is enough. On a slow ball, your split step can be gentle. Against a hard shot, keep it compact so you can move immediately.
Good players use this movement throughout a rally, not just when returning serve. A player recovering from a wide forehand, for example, should move back toward a useful court position and time a split step as the opponent strikes. That combination helps them respond to the next ball without being caught flat-footed.
Adjust Your Position to the Situation
During a baseline rally
After hitting, recover toward the part of the court that gives you the best chance to cover the opponent’s likely reply. Then take your ready position and split-step as the opponent makes contact. Your recovery spot depends on your shot and the opponent’s options; returning to the exact center after every ball is not always the right choice.
When returning serve
Stand far enough back to see the serve and prepare for its pace. Against a big first serve, many players use a slightly wider stance and a compact racket preparation. Against a slower second serve, you may stand closer to the baseline and be ready to move forward. The stance should let you react without locking your knees.
At the net
Use a somewhat lower, compact ready position, with the racket held in front and the head up. The ball can reach you quickly, so avoid a large backswing. A neutral racket position lets you move to either volley; once you read the ball, turn your shoulders and meet it out in front.
Common Ready-Position Mistakes
- Standing upright: Straight legs make it harder to push off quickly. Use a comfortable knee bend instead of an exaggerated squat.
- Leaning back on your heels: This delays your first move. Keep your weight slightly forward and balanced.
- Holding the racket too low or behind you: You may lose time bringing it into position. Keep it in front, with relaxed arms.
- Gripping too tightly: A tense hand can make quick adjustments harder. Hold the racket firmly enough to control it, but let your hand and shoulders stay relaxed.
- Watching only the ball: The ball matters, but your opponent’s swing can reveal useful clues about direction and timing.
- Forgetting to split-step: Even a strong stance will not help much if your feet are planted when the shot comes.
Simple Drills to Practise
Coach or partner point-and-move drill: Start in your ready position. Have a partner point left or right, or gently feed a ball to either side. Split-step, move to the ball and recover. Focus on the timing and first push, not on hitting hard.
Shadow split steps: Without a ball, take your ready position and imagine an opponent’s contact. Split-step, push off to one side, recover and repeat in the other direction. Keep the movement small and balanced.
Rally recovery drill: Rally at a comfortable pace. After each shot, return to a useful position and split-step as your partner hits. This helps connect the ready position to real point play, where recovery and timing matter as much as the stance itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide should my feet be in the tennis ready position?
Start with your feet about shoulder-width apart. You can widen your stance slightly when preparing for a powerful serve or quick exchange, but you should still be able to push off in either direction.
Where should I hold my racket?
Hold it in front of your body, around waist to chest height, with relaxed elbows. Supporting the throat with your non-dominant hand helps keep the racket balanced and ready.
When should I split-step?
Begin your small hop as your opponent starts the forward swing, then aim to land around contact. The exact timing takes practice, so focus on landing balanced and ready to push off.
Should I use the same ready position for every shot?
The basics stay the same, but you can adjust your stance. A return of serve may call for a wider base, while net play often requires a compact position with the racket held higher and closer in front.
Final Thoughts
A useful tennis ready position is balanced, relaxed and ready to move—not stiff or overly low. Keep your racket in front, stay light on your feet and time your split step with your opponent’s contact. Practise those habits in simple drills, then carry them into rallies. When your first move becomes quicker, you will have more time to reach the ball and make a controlled shot.
