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TennisOne Lessons
The Inside Out Forehand - The Weapon That Has Changed the Modern
Game
Greg Patton, Head Coach, Boise State
University
Written by Jim McLennan, Senior Editor, TennisONE
Photographs by Steve Margheim
When Sampras or Agassi step around their backhand to drive the forehand,
this lethal stroke is the signature of the modern game. Big forehands, hit
harder than ever, are seen throughout the professional tour. Ivan Lendl
probably started the modern "big forehand" trend. Moving nimbly
around the backhand, he would drive inside out and remain in the rally,
or hit winners from this position either with severe crosscourts or penetrating
down the line shots.
In this lesson, Greg Patton demonstrates rallying with a heavy backhand
topspin crosscourt, and then recovering to hit the inside out forehand.
Patton drilled this shot so many times during the photo shoot, I was impressed
with his power and accuracy, and all the while he smiled. Amazing.
The grip for the inside out forehand as shown below is a cross between
an eastern and semi-western grip. Greg grew up in southern California
before the modern era, and all players in that time used the continental
or eastern grips. Semi-western is really a stretch for these players, and
a compromise between the eastern and semi-western does the trick. Note that
the palm rests under the handle in the first frame, and the tip of the ring
finger works up toward the top of the handle. In the second frame, the grip
has been adjusted slightly counterclockwise, closer to the eastern forehand.
Europeans move to the semi-western or even full western position (Brugera)
but for most players either of these grips will do just fine.
 
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