The Reverse Forehand

TennisOne Lessons

Michael McDowell

From very early on in his career, at every club and Public Park, it seemed that tennis players were copying Rafael Nadal’s signature vertical follow through.

Over the years, this stroke has been given many names. I have read accounts of John Newcombe and Tom Okker’s “buggy whip” forehands. When used on the run, it is often simply called a running forehand, although some call this variation a “bender” to describe the trajectory the ball travels due to the combination of extreme side and topspin. Australian pro David Bailey describes this running forehand as a “power move” because it is essentially a counterattack designed to end the point before your opponent can win it with a shot into the open court. But probably the most common name applied to this stroke in the current literature is “reverse forehand.”

While specific elements of his stroke are not unique, Nadal seems to frequently use the reverse forehand in ways his predecessors did not. In this article, I’d like to touch upon some of the history behind the stroke as well as its evolution into the weapon it has become in Nadal’s hands. Finally, I will highlight some of the mistakes I have seen when lower level players try to incorporate this stroke into their games.

Growing Popularity of the Vertical Follow Through

Click photo: Here, focus on what happens around contact. Notice how Nadal, pushed back by the ball, maintains balance by hitting a reverse forehand off his back foot.

Often discussion of the reverse forehand is associated with Pete Sampras’ coach, Robert Lansdorp. Lansdorp describes how his player taught him the stroke instead of the other way around. Pete, like many other players, used this stroke when placed in difficult situations in which he was unable to position properly for a shot. Usually, this occurs when the ball needs to be played from below the ideal strike zone; e.g., when the ball skids off a line or when a deep low ball gets on the player too quickly to allow for adequate footwork; however, we also see it when players are jammed on somewhat higher balls.

While Lansdorp initially took this swing to be a symptom of poor footwork, he came to realize that players were instinctively developing a viable response to one of the many crises that inevitably arise as one plays a match.

As Sampras’ game developed, the vertical follow through or reverse forehand became a bigger and bigger part of his arsenal. It almost seemed as though he'd lure opponents into hitting wide to his forehand side so he could counterattack with a down-the-line forehand winner that would curl around the net post and land in the corner of the court. In addition, as Pete’s game matured, he seemed to use this follow through to an ever increasing extent. Witness also other Lansdorp protégées, Lindsey Davenport and Maria Sharapova, who have and do make good use of the reverse forehand.


Click photos: Here you can study Tommy Haas and Caroline Wozniacki as they execute running forehands using a vertical follow through.

As with all of the clips, watch the strokes as a whole; then, use the slide to slowly move through the contact move and study its key elements. Pay special attention to the footwork immediately before and after the stroke is executed. See how the players find a dynamic balance from which they can address the ball while seamlessly transitioning into recovery footwork as the follow through concludes.

Evolution of the Reverse Forehand

With Rafael Nadal (and to a lesser extent with a few other players) we see this stroke used in these two ways; however, there is more. For example, we see players using a vertical follow through with what Bailey calls a Mogul Move. The players strike the ball then almost immediately shift sideways to break their momentum, and initiate a transition to recovery footwork. Compare this movement pattern with the running forehand as executed by Haas and Wozniacki above; and notice how Clijsters and Sharapova turn the outside foot to serve as a brake much as a skater might to stop on ice. These players step out on the right foot into an open stance and hit the ball; however, instead of taking an additional two steps, they use what I call a hockey stop to save two steps out and two steps of recovery.


Click photos: Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova execute the Mogul Move for the intermediate range forehand.

The reverse forehand is now being executed from more static positions also; near the center of the court as a means for building points and for exposing an opponent’s weakness. The most notable example of this approach is the way in which Nadal generates a heavily spun ball that kicks up high to the backhand of players, such as Federer, who use a one-handed backhand.

Rafa produces a ball with significant net clearance for safety, yet this ball challenges players and frequently elicits either a short, weak response or opens up the court for an attack on the forehand side. This strategy will undoubtedly be showcased during the upcoming clay court season.


Click photos: Notice how Nadal uses a vertical follow through with balls where he is well balanced and doesn’t need to move far. In addition he will often employ this stroke on forehands hit from a much higher contact point than is commonly the case.

Teaching/Learning the Reverse Forehand

In discussing the reverse forehand (even occasionally with other pros), I have heard it described as a shot produced by NOT hitting through the point of contact and following through across the body, but instead by emphasizing the brush up the ball while following through on the dominant side.

I think this is at best misleading and at worst just out and out wrong. It is obvious that this is not the case with Nadal, whose hand comes well to the other side of his body as he circles the racquet around over his head at the conclusion of the follow through. Furthermore, it is clear that he extends forward into the court well beyond the point of contact to impart pace in addition to enormous spin on these strokes.

I think the above misconception prevents recreational players from learning this stroke; and probably, in some cases, leads to injury. In many instances, I see players turning to the side, allowing the ball to travel much too far before trying to make contact directly in front of their bodies or even with their back legs. The result of these efforts is usually a mishit or an extremely short, weakly struck ball; and, on occasion, a self-inflicted whack in the head.

Click photo: Observe how Nadal’s arm extends forward at roughly a 45° angle to make contact.

These examples of futility tend to cause pros to shy away from teaching a vertical follow through. But, while this stroke is not for beginners, I find that more advanced players love trying this follow through. Furthermore, by learning to use it in appropriate circumstances, a player has added a few arrows to his or her quiver.

As you work on this shot (or should I say these shots), it’s critical to focus on positioning and contact. While a more vertical swing path produces great spin on the ball, it is important to make contact out front and strike the ball cleanly and with sufficient extension to ensure adequate pace as well as the desired spin.

Usually on the running forehand and often for the mogul move, a player will hit around the outside of the ball to impart side as well as topspin as Sharapova does in her video above.

Okay, so we’ve come full circle. Feel free to get out on the courts and copy that Rafa forehand; however, make sure you are actually copying him, and not falling victim to some pretty well established, albeit mistaken, notions about the reverse forehand.

Oh, and try not to put any new lumps or contusions on your noggin in the process.

Michael McDowell, USPTA (P-1), PTR, Etcheberry Certified: Currently Director of Tennis for Advantage Tennis Academy (AZ), former USTA League Coordinator for Central Arizona, Head Pro at Mesa Country Club and Director of Tennis For Arizona Tennis Association. Michael currently coordinates a junior program that exposes over 250 kids per year to tennis; and offers training to players from beginner to tournament level. His main goal is to encourage as many people as possible (regardless of age and/or abiltiy level) to share his passion for the great game of tennis.