How to Hit an Inside-Out Backhand in Tennis

In tennis, an inside-out backhand is a stroke hit down the line from a player's natural forehand side. It is the opposite of its more popular counterpart, the inside-out forehand. Since most players have a weaker backhand than they do a forehand, the inside-out backhand stroke is usually only used in a pinch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Use your dominant hand to grip the base of the handle in the continental style, holding the racket so that your index finger is squarely over the top of the handle. Place your other hand above, a quarter turn away; this is the eastern forehand grip.
2. Swing your dominant leg behind you and turn your hips so that they are perpendicular to the net. Stand with your feet roughly shoulder length apart, knees slightly bent, with your weight balanced slightly forward.
3. Get your racket back as soon as you know that the ball will go to your backhand side. Keep your wrists slightly flexed. As you swing the racket behind your body, make sure it stays below waist level, pointing down at the court.
4. Step into the backhand stroke as you hit the ball from low to high. Make contact with the ball early on. For a two handed backhand, it is best to hit with your racket out in front of you, with the strings parallel to the net. As you swing the racket from low to high, transfer your weight from your back foot to your front.
5. Use your shoulders to guide the ball cross court. As you follow through, swing your racket back over your shoulder and end with your body pointing at where you would like the ball to end up.

Tips & Warnings

• To find the right position for the continental grip, pretend you are shaking hands with the racket.
• In tennis, backhands take longer to set-up than forehands and are not nearly as intuitive. The only thing that will make a backhand feel natural is practice.