Player practice guide
On-the-Rise Forehand
15 min Coach / feederIntermediate–AdvancedForehand
Take the forehand early on the rise while preserving spacing and control.
Best for: players who want to hold baseline position against deeper forehand balls.
Goal
Read the bounce early and meet the forehand on the rise with compact spacing and controlled depth.
Success today
Land 8 of 12 on-the-rise forehands beyond the service line while staying on or inside the baseline.
Watch before court
Technique reference
How to take the ball on the rise in tennis: RUSH your opponent · 10:03
Technique reference—not the full drill. Watch the early preparation, compact contact and forward court position used on the rise.
Open video on YouTubeArrive ready
Before you go
- One coach or capable feeder
- Basket of 20+ tennis balls
- 3 flat cones
- Approximately 15 minutes of court time
Court blueprint
Set up the court
Hold the baseline, move to the early forehand contact and direct the rising ball into the deep crosscourt target before recovering along the baseline.
- Ball direction
- Feeder ball
- Recovery
- Target zone
- 01Mark a contact lane on the baseline and a deep crosscourt target.
- 02Start with both feet close to the baseline.
- 03Ask the feeder for deep balls that bounce near the player’s feet at moderate pace.
Step by step
Your 15-minute practice
0–3 min
Read the bounce
- Track six feeds without hitting and call rise at the bounce.
- Keep the first step small.
3–7 min
Use compact contact
- Meet slow deep feeds shortly after the bounce.
- Aim safely beyond the service line.
7–11 min
Hold the baseline
- Recover along the line instead of retreating.
- Keep the backswing shorter as pace increases.
12 feeds · 4 min
Score twelve forehands
- Count deep targets hit from on or inside the baseline.
- Aim for eight successes.
Remember
Three player cues
- Read the bounce early.
- Short backswing, contact in front.
- Hold the baseline after the shot.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Backing away before reading the bounce
- Using a full high-loop backswing
- Contacting the ball after it starts dropping
Keep the same purpose
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Use slower feeds that land one metre inside the baseline and a larger deep target.
Make it harder
Increase feed pace and alternate a normal-height ball with an on-the-rise ball without warning.
Keep it safe
Keep the baseline contact lane clear of balls and allow recovery before each deep feed.
Continue later