Irvine Tennis Community

27/04/2026

We are still looking for a Level 2 or 3 tennis coach to run adults and kids classes.

07/04/2026

Vic Borgogno's Spilt-Step Program

Firstly, we would like to thank Vic Borgogno. His work on teaching the importance of the split step is greatly appreciated. Secondly, we are honored that Vic made a study of how our GREAT BASE backboard helps players practice split-stepping.

I remember doing clinics with Dennis Van der Meer when he would start the class by showing a film of Bjorn Borg's footwork. The film focused on Borg's feet. After every hit, Borg would split-step.

Dennis's "buzzword" for the split-step was "organization." In synchronization, after each hit, the feet and hands are organized in a position that allows the player to have the best posture and position for a fast first step. Dennis would also call the "split-step" the "jump step" and the "spring step."

When Rod Laver first saw Borg play, he was asked if the kid from Sweden would become an outstanding player. Laver without hesitation answered, "Yes." Then the follow-up question was for Laver to elaborate. His explanation was simple, "Happy feet."

Borg constantly, without fail, utilized the split-step. The split-step in tennis is like the sprinter pre-stretching their leg muscles to be explosive out of the starting blocks. A tennis player is upright with a high center of gravity because he or she has to take off in multiple directions as opposed to just straight ahead like a sprinter.

Vic Borgogno has dedicated years and years to understanding and perfecting training for the split-step. We have attached three videos of his work; two take just a couple of minutes and the third is a half-hour. The first is his work with our GREAT BASE backboard.

1) Split Steps on THE GREAT BASE BACKBOARD (1:47)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ7RCvUGT6E

2) Training Video for Split Step Apps (2:32)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eLdJIk0RPA

3) Split Step for Agility and Movement (29:03)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoulGXrz0kw

4) GreatBase Tennis backboard: GBTbackboard.com

Thanks for liking and sharing,

Steve Smith I Founder
GreatBase Tennis
EDUCATION

31/03/2026

20/03/2026

20/03/2026

Tennis season kicking off

09/03/2026

Looking for a Level 2 coach to deliver some coaching at Irvine

09/03/2026

Congrats to Gavin Smith. Thanks to all who supported us.

20/02/2026

13/02/2026

Definitely wasn’t single handedly
Let’s see Irvine use these Fantastic courts

Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Year - Chris McKenna 🏆

Chris has made a remarkable contribution to the Irvine Tennis Community, single-handedly securing the funding needed to transform old, deteriorating courts into a modern, vibrant & inspiring tennis venue 👏

His work has helped create a more welcoming & inclusive environment which has attracted many new players into tennis 🎾

07/02/2026

Everyone from Irvine Tennis would like to say a huge well done to our President, Chris McKenna.

Chris attended the Tennis Scotland Awards ceremony last night where he was presented with Volunteer of the Year Award.

Chris established Irvine Tennis Community and has been the driving force behind the club - taking the club from a facility in disrepair to the top quality courts we now have.

Well done Chris and it’s great to see all your efforts receiving national recognition.