Pickleball Court Co
Pickleball Court Co

Pickleball has captured the hearts of players across North America and Europe, becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in recent years. While many beginners focus on paddle techniques and shot selection, experienced players understand that footwork is the foundation of exceptional play. The ability to move efficiently around the court often makes the difference between recreational players and those who excel at higher levels of competition.

Proper footwork in pickleball enables players to reach more balls, maintain better balance, conserve energy, and position themselves optimally for both offensive and defensive shots. Unlike tennis, which often requires covering greater distances, pickleball demands quick, precise movements within a smaller court area. This unique characteristic makes footwork technique particularly important for players looking to improve their game.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the fundamental principles of effective pickleball footwork, common movement patterns, training drills, and strategies to enhance your court mobility. Whether you're a beginner looking to build a solid foundation or an experienced player aiming to refine your movement skills, mastering these footwork techniques will significantly elevate your pickleball performance.

The Fundamentals of Pickleball Footwork

Ready Position: The Foundation of Movement

Every effective movement on the pickleball court begins with a proper ready position:

Foot Placement: Position your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, creating a stable base. Weight should be distributed evenly on the balls of your feet (not flat-footed or on your heels).

Knee Flexion: Maintain a slight bend in your knees, creating a loaded position that allows for quick directional changes. This athletic stance enables you to push off in any direction instantly.

Weight Distribution: Keep your weight slightly forward, balanced on the mid-foot to ball of the foot. This positioning allows for quicker reactions compared to having weight on your heels.

Body Posture: Your upper body should be slightly forward with a straight back, paddle positioned in front at chest height, creating what many coaches call the "athletic position."

Mental Readiness: Combine physical positioning with mental alertness, anticipating your opponent's next shot while preparing your body to move.

The ready position isn't static—it's a dynamic stance that you should return to after each shot, preparing you for the next movement requirement. Many beginners make the mistake of standing upright between shots, significantly slowing their reaction time and movement efficiency.

The Split Step: Timing Your Movement

The split step is a fundamental technique used in racquet sports that significantly enhances reaction time and movement efficiency:

Execution: As your opponent is about to make contact with the ball, perform a small hop or bounce on both feet, landing in your ready position.

Timing: The split step should coincide precisely with your opponent's ball contact, not before or after.

Purpose: This movement pre-loads your muscles for explosive action in any direction and transitions your body from a stationary position to a state of readiness.

Common Errors: Many players either forget to split step entirely or time it incorrectly, reducing their ability to react quickly to incoming shots.

Incorporating a consistent split step into your game can improve your reaction time by up to 30%, according to sports performance studies. This seemingly small technique can dramatically improve your court coverage and shot preparation.

Footwork Patterns in Pickleball

Several fundamental footwork patterns form the basis of efficient court movement:

Shuffle Steps: Small, lateral steps where your feet don't cross. This movement maintains balance while allowing quick directional changes, ideal for moving along the non-volley zone line or adjusting position at the baseline.

Crossover Steps: When covering longer distances, the crossover step allows for faster movement. The back foot crosses behind or in front of the lead foot, enabling more ground to be covered quickly.

Drop Step: A rotational movement where you pivot on one foot while stepping back with the other, used when retrieving wide shots or changing direction rapidly.

Recovery Steps: The movement pattern used to return to the optimal court position after hitting a shot, typically involving quick shuffle steps back to the center or appropriate tactical position.

Forward and Backward Movement: Controlled steps moving toward the net or retreating toward the baseline, maintaining balance throughout the movement.

Mastering these basic patterns and knowing when to employ each one creates the foundation for advanced court movement and positioning.

Court Positioning and Movement Strategies

Kitchen Line Management

The non-volley zone (commonly called "the kitchen") presents unique footwork challenges:

Approaching the Kitchen Line: When moving from the baseline to the kitchen line, use controlled forward steps, decelerating as you approach to avoid momentum carrying you into the kitchen.

Kitchen Line Stance: At the kitchen line, adopt a slightly wider stance than your baseline ready position, with knees bent and weight forward, ready to react to dinks and drives.

Kitchen Line Movement: Use primarily shuffle steps when positioned at the kitchen line, maintaining a stable base while adjusting your position laterally.

Kitchen Violations: One of the most common footwork errors involves stepping into the kitchen when volleying. Practice awareness of the kitchen line through peripheral vision while focusing on the ball.

Reset Positioning: After being pulled wide at the kitchen line, use efficient crossover steps to return to your optimal position, working in coordination with your partner in doubles play.

Baseline Movement Techniques

Different footwork principles apply when playing from the baseline:

Coverage Area: Baseline positioning requires covering more court width, necessitating larger movements and greater anticipation.

Diagonal Recovery: After hitting a shot from the baseline, recover to a position that covers the most likely return angle rather than simply returning to center court.

Transition Movement: When moving from baseline to kitchen line (a critical transition in pickleball), use measured steps that allow you to stop at the kitchen line without momentum carrying you forward.

Backpedaling Technique: When retreating from a forward position, use crossover steps rather than backpedaling whenever possible, as backward-facing steps are inherently slower and less stable.

Sideline Awareness: Develop peripheral awareness of court boundaries while moving, preventing out-of-bounds positioning while maintaining focus on the ball.

Doubles Movement Coordination

In doubles play, coordinated movement with your partner is essential:

Lateral Shifts: When your partner moves to cover a wide shot, shift laterally to cover the open court area, maintaining appropriate court coverage.

Communication: Establish verbal and non-verbal cues with your partner to coordinate movement, especially when both players could potentially play the same ball.

Stacking Transitions: If using advanced positioning strategies like stacking, practice the specific footwork patterns required to efficiently move into and out of these formations.

Recovery Patterns: Develop consistent recovery patterns after shots so your partner can anticipate your movement and adjust accordingly.

Switching Sides: Practice the footwork required when switching sides with your partner during a point, maintaining balance and court awareness throughout the transition.

Footwork for Specific Shots

Dink Shot Footwork

The dink—a soft shot that lands in the opponent's kitchen—requires precise footwork:

Pre-Shot Positioning: Position yourself approximately 12-18 inches behind the kitchen line with feet shoulder-width apart and knees flexed.

Weight Transfer: As you execute the dink, transfer weight slightly forward while maintaining balance, being careful not to let momentum carry you into the kitchen.

Lateral Adjustment: Use small shuffle steps to position your body so the ball is slightly to the side of your body rather than directly in front, allowing for better angle control.

Recovery: After executing the dink, quickly reset your position with small adjustment steps, preparing for the next shot.

Common Errors: Avoid reaching for dinks without moving your feet, which compromises balance and control. Instead, use small adjustment steps to achieve optimal positioning.

Volley Footwork

Volleys require quick adjustments and stable positioning:

Pre-Volley Position: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, approximately 12-18 inches behind the kitchen line.

Step and Plant: For most volleys, take a small step toward the ball with your non-dominant foot (left foot for right-handed players), planting it firmly for stability during contact.

Weight Distribution: Keep weight centered or slightly forward during volleys, avoiding leaning which can compromise balance and recovery.

Kitchen Awareness: Maintain constant awareness of the kitchen line through peripheral vision, especially when moving forward to volley shots near the line.

Reset Movement: After executing a volley, use quick shuffle steps to return to optimal court position, particularly when pulled wide or forward.

Serve and Return Footwork

The serve and return establish the pattern for each point:

Serving Stance: For a right-handed player, position the left foot forward and right foot back, creating a stable base for the serving motion. The opposite applies for left-handed players.

Weight Transfer: During the serve, transfer weight from back foot to front foot, generating power while maintaining balance.

Return Ready Position: When receiving serve, adopt a slightly wider stance than normal ready position, with weight forward and knees bent, prepared to move in any direction.

Return Movement: Step toward the incoming serve with your lead foot, adjusting based on serve placement and your preferred return technique.

Recovery After Serve/Return: Use crossover steps to quickly move to the optimal court position after serving or returning, typically advancing toward the kitchen line in doubles play.

Overhead Smash Footwork

The overhead smash requires coordinated footwork to generate power while maintaining control:

Positioning: Use crossover or drop steps to position yourself under the ball, rather than reaching or leaning backward.

Stance: Adopt a slightly open stance with the non-dominant shoulder pointing toward the net.

Weight Transfer: Begin with weight on the back foot, transferring to the front foot during the smash motion for added power.

Follow-Through: Allow your back foot to naturally rotate forward during follow-through while maintaining balance.

Recovery: After completing the smash, quickly reset your position using shuffle or crossover steps, anticipating your opponent's potential returns.

Common Footwork Errors and Corrections

Standing Flat-Footed

Error: Remaining flat-footed between shots significantly reduces reaction time and movement efficiency.

Correction: Practice maintaining a slight bounce on the balls of your feet while in ready position. This active stance keeps your muscles engaged and ready for explosive movement.

Drill: "Bounce and React" - Have a practice partner point in different directions while you maintain a slight bounce, reacting with a first step in the indicated direction.

Crossing Feet When Moving Laterally

Error: Crossing feet during short lateral movements creates momentary instability and slower reaction times.

Correction: Use shuffle steps for short lateral movements, keeping feet approximately shoulder-width apart throughout the movement.

Drill: "Lateral Line Shuffles" - Place cones 5-8 feet apart and practice shuffle steps between them without crossing feet, gradually increasing speed.

Improper Weight Distribution

Error: Keeping weight on heels rather than mid-foot to ball of foot, creating slower reaction times and movement.

Correction: Consciously shift weight slightly forward in your stance, feeling pressure on the mid-foot rather than the heel.

Drill: "Forward Pressure" - Practice your ready position while a partner randomly drops a ball that you must quickly move to catch, focusing on maintaining forward weight distribution.

Overstriding

Error: Taking steps that are too large, which compromises balance and the ability to change direction quickly.

Correction: Focus on taking more frequent, controlled steps rather than fewer large steps when covering distance.

Drill: "Ladder Drills" - Use an agility ladder to practice quick, controlled footwork patterns that discourage overstriding.

Poor Recovery Positioning

Error: Failing to return to optimal court position after hitting a shot, leaving court areas exposed.

Correction: Develop the habit of taking 2-3 recovery steps immediately after completing each shot.

Drill: "Shot and Recover" - After each practice shot, touch a designated marker in the optimal recovery position before preparing for the next shot.

Footwork Training Drills and Exercises

On-Court Footwork Drills

Four-Corner Drill:

  • Place four cones in a rectangle pattern on the court

  • Starting from center, move to each cone and back to center using appropriate footwork (shuffle to sides, forward and backward movement to front/back)

  • Focus on proper technique rather than speed initially

  • As technique improves, increase speed and add paddle/ball control elements

Shadow Footwork:

  • Without a ball, practice the footwork patterns for different shots

  • Move through sequences like: ready position → split step → move to forehand → recover → move to backhand → recover

  • Add verbal cues to simulate game situations

  • Practice for 5-10 minutes daily to build muscle memory

Line Drills:

  • Use court lines for various footwork patterns

  • Practice lateral shuffles along the kitchen line

  • Perform forward-backward movements perpendicular to the kitchen line

  • Add diagonal movements to simulate reaching wide shots

  • Focus on precision of foot placement and balance throughout

Partner Mirror Drill:

  • Face a partner across the net

  • One player leads with random movement patterns while the other mirrors

  • Focus on quick reactions and proper footwork technique

  • Switch leader/follower roles every 30-60 seconds

Off-Court Training for Improved Footwork

Agility Ladder Exercises:

  • Perform various patterns: in-in-out-out, lateral shuffles, icky shuffle

  • Start slowly focusing on precision, gradually increase speed

  • Practice 2-3 times weekly for 5-10 minutes per session

Cone Drills:

  • Set up cones in various patterns simulating court movements

  • Practice different footwork patterns around cones

  • Add directional changes on signal to improve reaction time

  • Incorporate paddle handling while moving for sport-specific training

Jump Rope Training:

  • Regular jumping improves foot speed and coordination

  • Progress to more complex patterns like alternate feet, double-unders

  • Practice 5 minutes daily to develop quick, light feet

Balance Training:

  • Single-leg stands (progress to eyes closed)

  • Bosu ball or balance board exercises

  • Yoga poses that challenge stability

  • These exercises develop the stabilizer muscles needed for efficient court movement

Plyometric Exercises for Explosive Movement

Box Jumps:

  • Start with a low box (6-12 inches)

  • Focus on soft landings with bent knees

  • Progress to higher boxes as technique and strength improve

Lateral Bounds:

  • Jump sideways from one foot to the other

  • Focus on controlled landings and immediate redirection

  • Simulates the lateral explosiveness needed on court

Split Squat Jumps:

  • Begin in a lunge position

  • Jump and switch legs in mid-air

  • Land softly and immediately prepare for the next jump

  • Develops the explosive leg power needed for quick direction changes

Dot Drills:

  • Place five dots in a pattern on the floor

  • Perform various jumping patterns between dots

  • Focus on quick foot contacts and precise landings

  • Excellent for developing foot speed and coordination

Footwear and Court Surface Considerations

Selecting the Right Pickleball Shoes

Proper footwear is crucial for optimal footwork performance:

Court-Specific Design: Choose shoes specifically designed for court sports (tennis, pickleball, volleyball) rather than running shoes, as they provide the lateral support needed for multidirectional movement.

Outsole Pattern: Look for herringbone or modified herringbone tread patterns that provide optimal grip on court surfaces without excessive stickiness that could cause injuries.

Cushioning Balance: Select shoes with moderate cushioning that provides comfort without sacrificing court feel and stability. Excessive cushioning can actually reduce movement efficiency and increase ankle roll risk.

Fit Considerations: Ensure proper fit with approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch of space beyond your longest toe, and adequate width to prevent constriction during lateral movements.

Durability Features: For players with aggressive footwork, look for shoes with reinforced toe caps and durable outsoles, particularly if playing primarily on abrasive outdoor surfaces.

Popular pickleball shoe options include models from New Balance, K-Swiss, ASICS, and other court sport specialists. Many players with wide feet find New Balance pickleball shoes particularly accommodating to their needs.

Adapting Footwork to Different Court Surfaces

Different court surfaces require subtle adjustments to footwork technique:

Indoor Wood/Gym Floors:

  • Typically provide consistent, moderate grip

  • Allow for smooth sliding during wide reaches

  • Require shoes with non-marking soles

  • Support quicker directional changes due to consistent surface

Outdoor Concrete/Asphalt:

  • Often more abrasive on shoes and more impactful on joints

  • May have subtle slopes or irregularities requiring adaptation

  • Typically provide excellent grip in dry conditions

  • May become slippery when dusty or slightly wet

Specialized Pickleball Surfaces:

  • Purpose-built surfaces like those from Pickleball Court Co. provide optimal grip and shock absorption

  • Allow for consistent footwork with reduced joint stress

  • Support natural movement patterns with appropriate friction levels

  • Roll-out court surfaces can be installed in various settings with proper installation guidance

Tennis Courts Converted to Pickleball:

  • Often have different friction characteristics than dedicated pickleball courts

  • May require adjustment to movement patterns, particularly for stopping and starting

  • Typically provide excellent grip but may be harder on joints than specialized surfaces

When playing on unfamiliar surfaces, take time during warm-up to assess the grip level and adjust your movement intensity accordingly. This adaptation period helps prevent slips while allowing you to optimize your footwork for the specific conditions.

Age-Specific Footwork Considerations

Footwork for Senior Players

Pickleball is particularly popular among seniors, who benefit from these adapted footwork approaches:

Modified Ready Position: A slightly wider stance with less knee bend reduces joint stress while maintaining stability.

Emphasis on Positioning: Focus on court positioning and anticipation to reduce the need for explosive recovery movements.

Controlled Movements: Prioritize balance and controlled steps over speed, reducing fall risk while maintaining effective court coverage.

Joint-Friendly Techniques: Use more shuffle steps and fewer jumping or lunging movements to protect knees and hips.

Recovery Strategies: Develop efficient recovery patterns that minimize unnecessary movement while maintaining tactical court positioning.

Many senior players find that proper footwork technique actually reduces joint stress compared to improper movement patterns, allowing for continued enjoyment of the sport with reduced injury risk.

Youth Footwork Development

Young players benefit from age-appropriate footwork training:

Fundamental Movement Skills: Focus on basic athletic movements like skipping, hopping, and running before introducing sport-specific patterns.

Playful Approach: Use games and challenges rather than technical drills to develop footwork skills in younger players.

Progressive Complexity: Start with simple movement patterns and gradually introduce more complex footwork as skills develop.

Emphasis on Agility: Incorporate multi-directional movements that develop the agility needed for pickleball while supporting overall athletic development.

Proper Mechanics: Teach sound movement mechanics early to prevent the development of inefficient habits that may lead to injuries later.

Young players who develop solid footwork fundamentals often progress more quickly in their overall pickleball skills, as efficient movement creates the foundation for technical shot development.

Mental Aspects of Footwork

Anticipation and Court Awareness

The mental side of footwork is equally important as the physical execution:

Shot Anticipation: Learn to read opponents' paddle angles, body positioning, and tendencies to anticipate shot direction and prepare movement earlier.

Court Mapping: Develop mental awareness of court dimensions and boundaries without needing to look down, allowing continuous focus on the ball and opponents.

Pattern Recognition: Identify common shot sequences and prepare movement patterns accordingly, reducing reaction time.

Tactical Positioning: Understand the strategic court positions for different game situations and develop the footwork habits to consistently achieve optimal positioning.

Focus Techniques: Practice maintaining concentration on movement fundamentals during high-pressure points when technique tends to deteriorate.

Building Footwork Habits

Consistent practice is essential for developing automatic footwork patterns:

Deliberate Practice: Allocate specific practice time solely to footwork development rather than always combining it with shot practice.

Routine Development: Create pre-point routines that include footwork reset patterns to ensure proper positioning before each point.

Video Analysis: Record your movement patterns during play and analyze areas for improvement, focusing on one specific aspect at a time.

Consistency Focus: Work on maintaining proper footwork throughout long practice sessions and matches, not just at the beginning when fresh.

Progressive Challenges: Gradually increase the speed and complexity of footwork drills as basic patterns become automatic.

Injury Prevention Through Proper Footwork

Common Footwork-Related Injuries

Proper footwork not only improves performance but also reduces injury risk:

Ankle Sprains: Often result from improper weight distribution or landing mechanics during lateral movements.

Knee Stress: Frequently caused by deep lunges without proper technique or excessive rotational forces during direction changes.

Achilles Tendon Issues: Can develop from repetitive pushing off without proper warm-up or from wearing inappropriate footwear.

Plantar Fasciitis: Often associated with improper foot mechanics and inadequate support during repetitive movements.

Hip Flexor Strains: Commonly result from overstriding or excessive lunging movements without proper strength and flexibility.

Preventative Approaches

Implement these strategies to reduce footwork-related injury risk:

Proper Warm-Up: Include dynamic movement patterns that prepare the body for pickleball-specific movements before play.

Technique Focus: Prioritize proper movement mechanics over speed, particularly when learning new footwork patterns.

Progressive Training: Gradually increase the intensity and duration of footwork training to allow adaptation.

Complementary Strength Training: Develop the leg, core, and hip strength needed to support efficient movement patterns.

Recovery Practices: Incorporate appropriate cool-down, stretching, and rest periods to allow adaptation and prevent overuse injuries.

Conclusion

Footwork is truly the unsung hero of pickleball performance. While flashy shots and strategic play often receive more attention, efficient movement around the court creates the foundation upon which all other skills are built. Players who invest time in developing proper footwork techniques gain advantages in court coverage, energy conservation, shot preparation, and injury prevention.

The beauty of footwork training is that it can be practiced anywhere—not just on the pickleball court. Many of the drills and exercises outlined in this guide can be performed at home, in a gym, or even in a small space while traveling. This accessibility makes footwork improvement one of the most practical ways to enhance your pickleball game, regardless of your schedule or court availability.

Whether you're playing recreationally at your local community center or competing on specialized courts like those from Pickleball Court Co., implementing these footwork principles will elevate your game to new levels. Remember that movement efficiency is a journey rather than a destination—even professional players continuously refine their footwork throughout their careers.

By incorporating these techniques, drills, and strategies into your practice routine, you'll develop the movement skills that allow you to be in the right place at the right time, with proper balance and positioning to execute your shots effectively. And in pickleball, as in many sports, being in the right position is often half the battle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you step in the kitchen in pickleball?

You can step into the kitchen (non-volley zone) at any time during play, but you cannot volley the ball (hit it before it bounces) while standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line. Additionally, if your momentum from volleying a ball carries you into the kitchen after contact, it's a fault. You can enter the kitchen freely to play balls that have bounced, and you should step into the kitchen to retrieve drop shots rather than reaching over the line.

How many square feet is a pickleball court?

A standard pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, totaling 880 square feet for the playing surface. When including the recommended surrounding space for player movement and safety, a complete pickleball court installation typically requires approximately 30 feet by 60 feet (1,800 square feet). For reference, this is approximately one-third the size of a standard tennis court, making pickleball courts more versatile for installation in various spaces.

When can you step in the kitchen in pickleball?

You can step into the kitchen (non-volley zone) anytime a ball has bounced first. Common situations include: retrieving drop shots or dinks that have bounced in the kitchen, stepping in after hitting a groundstroke from behind the kitchen line, or resetting your position between points. The key restriction is that you cannot volley (hit the ball out of the air) while in the kitchen or when your momentum will carry you into the kitchen after the volley.

What are the best pickleball shoes for wide feet?

The best pickleball shoes for wide feet include New Balance Court 806 or Fresh Foam Lav (available in multiple width options), ASICS Gel-Resolution 8 in wide width, K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 in wide width, and Prince T22 shoes which naturally run wider. When selecting shoes, look for models specifically offering wide (2E) or extra-wide (4E) options rather than just sizing up in standard width shoes, as proper width ensures lateral stability during side-to-side movements while preventing discomfort and potential foot issues.

How do you play pickleball step by step?

To play pickleball step by step: 1) Serve diagonally underhand from behind the baseline; 2) The receiving team must let the serve bounce before returning; 3) The serving team must also let this return bounce (this is the "double bounce rule"); 4) After these two bounces, both teams can either volley the ball (hit it before bouncing) or play it after a bounce; 5) Play continues until a fault occurs (ball hit out of bounds, into the net, or a kitchen violation); 6) Only the serving team can score points; 7) Games are typically played to 11 points (win by 2).

What are the best shoes for pickleball?

The best shoes for pickleball are court-specific athletic shoes designed for lateral movement, not running shoes. Top recommendations include: ASICS Gel-Resolution 8, K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2, New Balance 806 or Fresh Foam Lav, Head Sprint Pro 3.0, and Babolat Jet Mach 3. Look for features like non-marking outsoles with herringbone tread patterns, reinforced toe areas for durability, adequate lateral support, and cushioning that balances comfort with court feel. The ideal shoe varies based on foot shape, playing style, and court surface.

How important is footwork in pickleball?

Footwork is extremely important in pickleball, often distinguishing recreational players from advanced competitors. Proper footwork enables better court coverage, improved shot preparation, enhanced balance during shots, more efficient energy use throughout matches, and reduced injury risk. Because pickleball requires quick, precise movements in a relatively small area, efficient footwork allows players to be in optimal position for each shot. Even players with limited mobility can significantly improve their game by focusing on strategic positioning and efficient movement patterns.

What exercises improve pickleball footwork?

Exercises that improve pickleball footwork include: agility ladder drills (lateral shuffles, in-out patterns), cone drills with directional changes, jump rope training for foot speed, shadow footwork practice mimicking game movements, balance training on one leg or unstable surfaces, plyometric exercises like lateral bounds and box jumps, and sport-specific movement patterns with a partner. For best results, practice these exercises 2-3 times weekly, focusing on proper technique before increasing speed, and gradually incorporate paddle handling during footwork drills to simulate game conditions.

Should you wear tennis shoes for pickleball?

Yes, tennis shoes are generally suitable for pickleball as both sports require similar lateral movements and court surfaces. Tennis court shoes provide the appropriate lateral support, traction patterns, and durability needed for pickleball's quick directional changes. However, shoes specifically marketed for pickleball are emerging, often featuring slightly more cushioning for pickleball's higher percentage of quick stops and starts. The most important factor is choosing court-specific athletic shoes rather than running shoes, which lack the lateral stability required for safe and effective pickleball movement.

How do I improve my pickleball footwork?

To improve your pickleball footwork: 1) Master the ready position with weight on the balls of your feet; 2) Practice the split-step timing to coincide with your opponent's ball contact; 3) Incorporate specific footwork drills like ladder exercises and cone patterns into your training; 4) Use shadow footwork to practice movement patterns without the distraction of hitting; 5) Record and analyze your movement during play; 6) Develop sport-specific strength and agility through off-court exercises; 7) Focus on one footwork element at a time during practice matches; and 8) Ensure proper footwear that supports efficient movement patterns.

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