Player practice guide
Short-Angle Forehand, Backhand + Inside-Out Forehand
15 min Coach / feederAdvancedMatch play
Open the court from the centre using short-angle forehand, backhand and inside-out forehand patterns.
Best for: players with reliable forehands and backhands who want to open the court from a central ball.
Goal
Create a short crosscourt angle with forehand, backhand or inside-out forehand while preserving disguise and recovery.
Success today
Land 9 of 15 balls in the short-angle targets, including 3 successes with each of the three strokes.
Watch before court
Technique reference
How to Hit Angles? · 6:24
Technique reference—not the full drill. Watch how contact position and spin create a safe short crosscourt angle.
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
Move from centre to the called forehand, backhand or inside-out forehand contact and shape the ball into the short crosscourt target before recovering.
- Ball direction
- Feeder ball
- Player movement
- Recovery
- Target zone
- 01Mark short crosscourt targets inside both service boxes.
- 02Place three contact cones for forehand, backhand and inside-out forehand.
- 03Ask the feeder to call the stroke before sending a comfortable central ball.
Step by step
Your 15-minute practice
0–3 min
Map the three contact spots
- Shadow each stroke towards its short-angle target.
- Finish balanced enough to recover.
15 called feeds · 4 min
Use called strokes
- Ask the feeder to send five balls for each stroke.
- Create angle with shape rather than maximum pace.
7–11 min
Mix the order
- Let the feeder change strokes without a fixed sequence.
- Move around the inside-out forehand early.
11–15 min
Complete the target set
- Count three short-angle successes per stroke.
- Reset through centre after each feed.
Remember
Three player cues
- Get outside the contact.
- Use spin and shape for angle.
- Recover from the shorter finish.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Aiming at the sideline instead of inside it
- Trying to create angle with speed alone
- Running around the backhand too late
Keep the same purpose
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Practise one stroke at a time and use the full crosscourt service box.
Make it harder
Remove the stroke call and let the feeder vary the ball so the player chooses the suitable option.
Keep it safe
Keep run-around and short-ball paths clear and wait for centre recovery before each feed.
Continue later