Inside Groundstrokes

An inside groundstroke is when you position yourself in the court so that the flight of the on coming ball does not cross the plane of your body. A ball that crosses in front of you is called an outside shot.

Inside shots give you more natural hip rotation and "leverage the ball easier than outside shots." I would much rather run around a backhand to whip a forehand up the line than play an outside backhand up the line. Changing the direction of a cross court shot is much easier using "inside strokes."

Pros today us inside shots for leverage, controling the center of the court, and disguise (there's no rule saying you have to hit down the line with an inside shot. You can fire right back with no change of direction "inside-out.")

Another benefit of inside shots is that you have to move more to get in position to strike which combates lazy feet and accepting crosscourt predictability for outside shots. This shot should be used on return of serves as well.

All players can benefit from this tennis play!


Your pro in the trenches,

Kevin Pease

Adjustments

If you are having trouble staying in points you might not be adjusting your swing. If you are back far in the court take a bigger cut at the ball. If you are close to the baseline take a shorter back swing like Andre Agassi. When you are returning serve try starting your stroke at the contact point and push forward from there. If you are trying to power the ball play deeper in the court. If you are trying to counter punch the ball on the rise move closer to the baseline and shorten up your swing. Adjusting will help you play better percentage tennis and make less unforced errors.

Warm-up exercise
Stand on one leg and swing the other leg back and forth for a few reps. Then do the same with the other leg. Then try making circles in the air with one leg extended and the other balanced on the ground. Then try making the front leg go side to side in front of you while standing on one leg. Then make one leg swing back and forth behind you in a similar fashion. If you need to you may hold on to something for balance. This limbers and conditions your legs for tennis. I know as I get older it takes a few minutes for my body to get going. I want to start ready in the first set not half way through the second.

Good Luck

Kevin Pease