Tennis · Forehand · Footwork

Inside-out forehand

Run around a backhand-side feed and hit the forehand inside-out into the opponent's backhand corner.

COP1
Start / 5
Time
12 min
Players
1–6
Age
U12+
Area
Full court
Equipment
basket of balls2 cones

Setup

  1. Coach feeds from the far side, just behind the service line.
  2. Two cones mark a target in the far backhand corner (for a right-handed opponent), past the service line.
  3. Player starts on the centre mark of the near baseline.

How it runs

  1. Coach feeds a medium-paced ball to the player's backhand side.
  2. Player moves around the ball and hits a forehand inside-out to the target.
  3. Player recovers to the centre mark before the next feed.
  4. Sets of 6, then rotate; score 2 for the target, 1 for past the service line.

Coaching points

  • First step is back and away from the ball, not straight across.
  • Use small adjustment steps to leave space between body and ball.
  • Open the stance slightly and hit through the outside of the ball.
  • Recover with a crossover step; don't admire the shot.

Common mistakes

  • Running straight at the ball and getting jammed.
  • Pulling the ball crosscourt with the wrist instead of turning the shoulders.
  • Staying in the backhand corner and leaving the forehand side open.

Say it: “Back, around, through.”

Make it harder

  • Feed one inside-out ball, then a wide forehand to cover.
  • Coach mixes feeds so the player decides: backhand or run around.

Make it easier

  • Feed slower and higher with more time to move.
  • Start the player already shifted towards the backhand side.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.