How To Hit The Inside-Out Forehand And Take Control Of The Point

The forehand is commonly a player's stronger stroke, while the backhand is typically the weaker one. Therefore, a well-executed inside-out forehand can be used offensively against an opponent's backhand. If you are unfamiliar with this shot and would like to better understand how it works, do read on.  

What Is The Inside-Out Forehand?

The term inside out is used to describe a forehand that is hit from the backhand side of the court. This shot requires a player to move either their left for right-handed players, or their right for left-handed players, and then hit a forehand where they would normally hit a backhand. The inside-out forehand is hit cross-court, i.e. diagonally across the court.

The inside-out forehand is one of the most powerful shots in tennis, and when used correctly it can be a real weapon in any player’s game. But if not done properly, it will give your opponent the opportunity to counter-attack, as your forehand side of the court is now exposed. The key to using this shot successfully is to make sure you choose the correct time and execute the shot at its highest level. 

How To Hit The Inside-Out Forehand

When deciding to hit an inside-out forehand, you should make sure that you have evaluated your options before committing. This is because when hitting this shot, you are essentially running around your backhand with the goal of getting your forehand into play. While you’re doing this, you leave a lot of court area exposed on the deuce side of the court, which could easily be exploited by your opponent. You must take into account your positioning, as well as your opponent's, before committing to running around to your backhand side.

When aiming to hit an inside-out forehand, it is important to make sure that you have enough time to get to the ball such that you can take a full swing while remaining balanced. This will ensure that your shot carries enough power and weight behind it, pushing your opponent further behind their baseline and getting them out of position.

Hitting an inside-out forehand diagonally across the court gives you more margin for error, as you are hitting over the lower part of the net and into a larger court space, when compared to hitting a forehand down-the-line instead.

The inside-out forehand is also a great way to create angles and force your opponent to move. You can use this technique to push your opponent out of their comfort zone, by hitting the ball so that it moves across the court away from them. However, beware of overusing it as your opponent will quickly learn to anticipate it and adjust their positioning accordingly. 

When executing an inside-out forehand, you want to be sure you’re taking into account the speed and spin of your shot in relation to your opponent's position on the court. If you can time it well and create a sharp angle on the ball then you'll be able to gain control of the point. However, if your inside-out forehand is weak, then you leave yourself exposed. You should know when to attack and when to defend.

To Sum Up

The inside-out forehand can be a powerful weapon in any player’s game, but it needs to be executed well for maximum success. While this shot has the potential to put your opponent on their back foot, you should be aware of the risks associated with leaving a large part of your court exposed when running around to hit it. When used correctly, however, an inside-out forehand can help create angles that will force opponents out of their comfort zone and give you control over the point. 

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