Player practice guide
Crosscourt Forehand Drill
15 min PartnerIntermediate–AdvancedForehand
Improve crosscourt forehand placement by hitting with a partner
Best for: players who can sustain crosscourt forehands and need a reliable cue for changing the pattern.
Goal
Build crosscourt depth, recognise a central loose ball and convert it into the open court.
Success today
Complete 6 of 10 three-ball patterns with two deep crosscourt forehands followed by a converted ball in the opposite target.
Watch before court
Technique reference
Video guide
Watch this video before you practise on court.
Open video on YouTubeArrive ready
Before you go
- One coach or capable feeder
- Basket of 30+ tennis balls
- 6 flat cones
- Approximately 15 minutes of court time
Court blueprint
Set up the court
Build the forehand into the deep crosscourt target, recover, then use the more central feed to change direction into the open down-the-line lane.
- Ball direction
- Feeder ball
- Recovery
- Target zone
- 01Mark a deep crosscourt lane and a separate conversion target down the line.
- 02Place a recovery cone behind the baseline.
- 03Ask the feeder for two crosscourt balls followed by a more central loose ball.
Step by step
Your 15-minute practice
0–3 min
Separate build and finish
- Rehearse one crosscourt ball and one line ball.
- Keep the preparation difficult to read.
3–7 min
Hold the crosscourt lane
- Play two controlled deep balls before changing direction.
- Recover behind the baseline after each.
7–11 min
Convert the loose ball
- Move around the central feed and attack the open lane.
- Recover forward after the final shot.
10 patterns · 4 min
Score ten patterns
- Count only two deep build balls plus the target finish.
- Aim for six complete patterns.
Remember
Three player cues
- Build depth before changing.
- Recognise the central ball.
- Recover forward after conversion.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Changing direction before the crosscourt pattern is established
- Running around a ball that is too wide
- Using the same recovery after the attacking finish
Keep the same purpose
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Use one crosscourt ball before a predictable central feed and enlarge both targets.
Make it harder
Let the feeder decide whether the third ball is convertible; stay crosscourt when it is not.
Keep it safe
Feed only after the player returns behind the baseline and keep the run-around lane free of loose balls.
Continue later