| I watched Andy Roddick's match today, against | | | | side, it isn't necessarily an inside-out forehand. A true |
| Xavier Mallisse. Andy has a new coach and new | | | | inside-out forehand is hit in such a way as to create a |
| trainer and has lost 15 pounds. He looks fit and seems | | | | spin that makes the ball bounce and slide away from |
| to be running well. So how should he use his new | | | | your opponent. |
| found movement? Well, of course, he will run down | | | | Okay, I have to get a bit technical. When you hit a |
| more balls defensively. | | | | typical stroke, the flight and bounce curve in the |
| But the great offensive use of better footwork is to | | | | direction of the follow-through. That is, a forehand |
| get into position to hit the inside-out forehand. Federer | | | | usually moves (for right handed) from right to left and |
| does it and he has a good backhand. Rafa does it and | | | | a backhand tend to moves from left to right. If you hit |
| he has a great backhand. Roddick must learn to get | | | | a normal forehand up the line it will curl into the court. If |
| into position to hit inside-out forehands and cut down | | | | you are trying to run your opponent to that side, you |
| on the total number of backhands he has to hit. He is | | | | would prefer that the ball go the other way. That is a |
| still thinking like a slow player, and standing fairly even | | | | true inside-out forehand. In order to hit a good one, you |
| up, that is, he stands in the middle of the court. He | | | | must get into position and catch the ball early and up |
| needs to stand to his backhand side, and hit forehands | | | | high, swinging your racquet like you are waving |
| up to 3/4 of the way to the left sideline, daring players | | | | good-bye. The racket on follow through will pass in |
| to hit to his forehand. A player like Roddick, and maybe | | | | front of your face, or over your head. The motion of |
| you, if you have a much better forehand than | | | | the racket face is in an arc from waist high on the |
| backhand, needs to learn to cut the total number of | | | | backswing to head high on the follow through. |
| backhands hit by at least 1/3. | | | | This will impart a spin that make the ball skid and slide |
| The effectiveness of hitting a true inside-out forehand | | | | away from your opponent, staying very low. If you can |
| is the spin on the ball. When you hit a forehand from | | | | replace some of your backhands with vicious |
| the center of the court to the sideline on that same | | | | inside-out forehands, you are ready for the next level. |