Tennis Inside Out Drills

This drill focuses on developing the inside-out forehand or backhand while reinforcing patience, footwork, and disciplined shot selection. The restriction of using only one inside-out forehand per point teaches players to recognize the right opportunity to step around the ball and apply pressure. By forcing the majority of shots to be backhands, players strengthen rally reliability while still practicing the aggressive option when the moment is right. This builds trust in timing, precision, and tactical decision-making.

Setup

• Two players begin on opposite baselines
• Player 1 (restricted player) is positioned on the backhand side and covers only that half of the singles court
• Player 2 covers the full singles court
• Coach feeds the first ball to start the rally

Rules & Objectives

• Player 1 must rally primarily with backhands, restricted to covering only the backhand half of the court
• Player 1 is allowed one inside-out forehand per point, stepping around the backhand to execute the shot
• Player 2 plays normally and may use any shot
• After the point ends, rotate players so the next player takes on the restricted role
• Continue repeating with each player experiencing the restriction

Repetition

• Rotate roles frequently to balance practice
• Increase the number of points played in each round before switching players
• For advanced progression, allow the restricted player two inside-out forehands per point

Coaching Points

• Builds strength and reliability in backhand rallies
• Trains patience and discipline in waiting for the right ball
• Develops footwork for stepping around to hit inside-out forehands
• Reinforces tactical awareness by limiting attacking opportunities

Drill Tutorial