Inside-out Forehand: Where to aim?
- Thread starter cg.tennis
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D
Deleted member 25923
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Also, this is similar, but how do I go about down the line. I know this is noobish, but I sometimes have trouble going down the line.
JRstriker12
Hall of Fame
It depends.... where you place the ball and how much spin you use on an inside-out forehand depends on where your opponent is, how close you are to the net, and why type of ball you are hitting. There is no one single answer.
Bagumbawalla
Talk Tennis Guru
In tennis you don't really aim in the conventional sense- just as in tossing a basketball-- most of it is practic, experience and feel.
But if you insist on thinking in terms of "aiming", consider archery. Some archers use a small pin that sticks into a rubbery strip in front of their bow.
At first they put the pin (think forward sight) just anywhere based on experience-- then they shoot a few arrows. If the arrow group two inches up and to the right, then the archer adjusts the pin and tries again until eventually he finds the right spot and hits dead-on every time.
Something similar can be done in tennis, but without the sights.
Simply "aim" for a specific spot- and then take note of where your ball landed, if it was long or wide, or both, then adjust and try again until, eventually, you are striking the the intended spot nearly every time.
On the other hand, the very fact that you ask this question, and the down-the line one, also-- well, I have the feeling that your time and energy can be better spent on the basics.
But if you insist on thinking in terms of "aiming", consider archery. Some archers use a small pin that sticks into a rubbery strip in front of their bow.
At first they put the pin (think forward sight) just anywhere based on experience-- then they shoot a few arrows. If the arrow group two inches up and to the right, then the archer adjusts the pin and tries again until eventually he finds the right spot and hits dead-on every time.
Something similar can be done in tennis, but without the sights.
Simply "aim" for a specific spot- and then take note of where your ball landed, if it was long or wide, or both, then adjust and try again until, eventually, you are striking the the intended spot nearly every time.
On the other hand, the very fact that you ask this question, and the down-the line one, also-- well, I have the feeling that your time and energy can be better spent on the basics.
DarthCow
Rookie
To Mansewerz
When hitting down the line, you hit ball a bit later than a regular cross court shot.
Have a look at Monfils hitting the fastest shot. *drools*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ5fS0EHr9Q
When hitting down the line, you hit ball a bit later than a regular cross court shot.
Have a look at Monfils hitting the fastest shot. *drools*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ5fS0EHr9Q
matchmaker
Hall of Fame
Depends on the point and on the previous shot. Where is your opponent at the time of hitting the inside out? What is your goal. Going to his backhand a few times to finish the point with a crosscourt putaway?
Have you just hit a crosscourt and do you want to go for the inside out putaway?
There is no universal inside out shot. When putting pressure on your opponent you might go for depth over angle. When trying to go for a winner it may be the other way round.
In D Zone
Hall of Fame
InSide Out:
I would work on getting my footwork down first - making sure I quickly position myself into a close stance so I can hit the ball clean towards the ad side (right handed - inside out).
Second, I would aim to hit the ball towards the middle of the ad court side - for a better percentage shot (no use hitting inside out if you ball is going out of bounce). As you get into the groove or get more familar with the stroke - then you go for hitting it wider towards the corner.
Going for flat or topspin - it call depends on the ball. If the ball is coming with pace - flat would be ideal. For lower bouce / slice - I would hit with a top spin.
DTL shot:
I do like to change the direction of the ball every now and then to throw off my opponen. I would move around the ball as if I would be hitting an inside out and instead I hitt cross I would hook the ball to go DTL. Its a difficult shot because you moving out (backwards) while you are going to drive the ball straight - timing the ball is important. You must hit it on the rise, otherwise you'll drive the ball wide to your left and out.
Check out - Fed vs Hewitt clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=151rVtXSmho
I would work on getting my footwork down first - making sure I quickly position myself into a close stance so I can hit the ball clean towards the ad side (right handed - inside out).
Second, I would aim to hit the ball towards the middle of the ad court side - for a better percentage shot (no use hitting inside out if you ball is going out of bounce). As you get into the groove or get more familar with the stroke - then you go for hitting it wider towards the corner.
Going for flat or topspin - it call depends on the ball. If the ball is coming with pace - flat would be ideal. For lower bouce / slice - I would hit with a top spin.
DTL shot:
I do like to change the direction of the ball every now and then to throw off my opponen. I would move around the ball as if I would be hitting an inside out and instead I hitt cross I would hook the ball to go DTL. Its a difficult shot because you moving out (backwards) while you are going to drive the ball straight - timing the ball is important. You must hit it on the rise, otherwise you'll drive the ball wide to your left and out.
Check out - Fed vs Hewitt clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=151rVtXSmho
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Bagumbawalla
Talk Tennis Guru
As far as body position, my feeling is if you line up (your hips) parallel to the line of your intended reverse crosscourt drive, then you are "telegraphing" your shot- the opponent can prepare earlier and set up for a possible down the line winner.
So, I would suggest a fairly open stance so that you can wait until the last moment before deciding to drive the ball one way or the other.
Also, if you do hit the inside-out-forehand, make sure that it puts some pressure on the opponent. Don't just hit it just anywhere in your opponent's add side. If at all possible, stretch him wide so that, if he does get the ball back, it will be angled somewhat in your direction and possibly a weak "defensive" shot, possibly floating high.
So, I would suggest a fairly open stance so that you can wait until the last moment before deciding to drive the ball one way or the other.
Also, if you do hit the inside-out-forehand, make sure that it puts some pressure on the opponent. Don't just hit it just anywhere in your opponent's add side. If at all possible, stretch him wide so that, if he does get the ball back, it will be angled somewhat in your direction and possibly a weak "defensive" shot, possibly floating high.
most people's weakness is their backhand. and only a very select few have a better backhand than their forehand.
so because of this (when playing a righty) i 80% of the time will hit an inside out forehand crosscourt to my opponent's backhand. higher % and effective.
this challenges them to go down the line with their backhand (very hard), or simply hit crosscourt back to me, where i will have set up for another inside out forehand.
if they begin to read me and see that i always go cross court with my inside out forehand, that's when i spring my trap and just go down the line for a winner. =)
so because of this (when playing a righty) i 80% of the time will hit an inside out forehand crosscourt to my opponent's backhand. higher % and effective.
this challenges them to go down the line with their backhand (very hard), or simply hit crosscourt back to me, where i will have set up for another inside out forehand.
if they begin to read me and see that i always go cross court with my inside out forehand, that's when i spring my trap and just go down the line for a winner. =)
The inside-out forehand being what it is, it has to be hit aggressively. A flat trajectory that pulls your opponent far off the court is mandatory, because the shot leaves you vulnerable to a counter-attack down the line. Ideally, that means the ball has to cross the sideline, not the baseline. The flat trajectory allows for sidespin and a shorter bounce, making it hard for your opponent to come back down the line.
If you're unsure, you can go for the percentage play, which is the forehand approach down the line.
If you're unsure, you can go for the percentage play, which is the forehand approach down the line.
where you aim depends entirely on where you are standing. the closer you are to the baseline, the greater angle you can use. it also depends on how much spin you hit. if you hit the ball flat, you can drive a deep hard forehand into your victim's bh corner. if you are spinny, you can hit it shorter. depends.
for the guy who can't hit down the line comfortably: go find a backboard/racketball court/handballcourt/whatever. go and hit for an hour a day for a few days. forehands straight ahead. you'll have a killer down the line shot in a week. no kidding. no amount of explaining will enable you to go out and hit it. but if you do what i said, i guarantee you'll be hitting down the line
for the guy who can't hit down the line comfortably: go find a backboard/racketball court/handballcourt/whatever. go and hit for an hour a day for a few days. forehands straight ahead. you'll have a killer down the line shot in a week. no kidding. no amount of explaining will enable you to go out and hit it. but if you do what i said, i guarantee you'll be hitting down the line
The inside-out forehand is a good weapon because it matches your strength with your opponent's weakness.
The location where you're hitting it to depends on a lot of things.
- Are you far enough inside the court to flatten it out? or spin an angle?
- Are you behind the baseline? in this case it's usually safer to hit a heavy topspin shot deep to their backhand. If you receive a short reply, you will be in good position to hit an approach shot via your forehand.
The location where you're hitting it to depends on a lot of things.
- Are you far enough inside the court to flatten it out? or spin an angle?
- Are you behind the baseline? in this case it's usually safer to hit a heavy topspin shot deep to their backhand. If you receive a short reply, you will be in good position to hit an approach shot via your forehand.
rosewall4ever
Semi-Pro
i'dont think its a question of where to aim but having a consistent foward motion so that you can pick any target.
Bungalo Bill
G.O.A.T.
For the most part, you are hitting an inside-out forehand because you are electing to forego your backhand in favor of your stronger forehand. The movement involved in the inside-out forehand promotes a cross-court shot.
Also, a good time to choose to use the inside-out forehand is when the ball lands inbetween the center mark and the backhand sideline. However, closer to center mark is also favorable.
My words above of course is concerning the ideal.
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