Player practice guide
Offensive Crosscourt Forehand
15 min Coach / feederIntermediateForehand
Improve offensive crosscourt placement and shot selection with the forehand.
Best for: players who reach a favourable forehand but need safer width, depth and recovery at attacking pace.
Goal
Drive the forehand crosscourt with controlled pace, clear net margin and recovery inside the baseline.
Success today
Land 8 of 12 forehands in the deep crosscourt target and recover to the marked attacking position.
Watch before court
Technique reference
The ultimate tennis forehand mastery guide · 22:36
Technique reference—not the full drill. Watch the spacing, contact and directional control used to build an attacking forehand.
Open video on YouTubeArrive ready
Before you go
- One coach or capable feeder
- Basket of 20+ tennis balls
- 4 flat cones
- Approximately 15 minutes of court time
Court blueprint
Set up the court
Receive a favourable forehand, drive it into the deep crosscourt target and recover to the marked position just inside the baseline.
- Ball direction
- Feeder ball
- Recovery
- Target zone
- 01Mark a deep crosscourt target and an inside-baseline recovery cone.
- 02Start one step behind the baseline on the forehand side.
- 03Ask the feeder for waist-height balls that allow an attacking contact.
Step by step
Your 15-minute practice
0–3 min
Set attacking spacing
- Move around the feed without crowding it.
- Finish balanced inside the baseline.
6 feeds · 4 min
Build safe shape
- Use six feeds at about 70% pace.
- Clear the net with enough height to reach the deep target.
7–11 min
Add recovery
- Return to the inside-baseline cone after every shot.
- Stay ready for a possible next ball.
12 feeds · 4 min
Score twelve forehands
- Count a shot only when target and recovery are complete.
- Aim for eight successes.
Remember
Three player cues
- Create space outside the ball.
- Attack with net margin.
- Recover inside the baseline.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Trying to hit a winner from every feed
- Falling sideways through contact
- Retreating after a successful attacking ball
Keep the same purpose
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Widen the target and use slower feeds from the service line.
Make it harder
Reduce the target and let the feeder send a second neutral ball that must be controlled from the forward recovery position.
Keep it safe
Keep the basket behind the feeder and clear balls from the inside-baseline recovery zone.
Continue later