Inside-Out vs Inside-In Forehand: When to Use Each
Running around the backhand to hit a bigger forehand is standard at every level above beginner — but the shot you hit once you get there has two completely different versions with opposite tactical purposes. Confusing them is one of the most common ways club and advanced players give away points they were winning.
Inside-out: the rally-building option
Inside-out sends the ball crosscourt, over the lower, safer part of the net, into the opponent's backhand corner — the same direction a backhand would naturally go. It's the higher-margin choice: more net clearance, more court to work with, and it keeps the point going on your terms by continuing to attack the (often weaker) backhand.
This is your default run-around forehand. Use it to build the point, to keep pressure on a weaker backhand, and any time you're not in a clearly winning position.
Inside-in: the finishing option
Inside-in redirects the ball down the line into the opponent's forehand corner — over the highest part of the net, into a court that's shorter in that direction. It's inherently riskier, but when the opponent has already been dragged wide (typically by a prior inside-out shot), their forehand corner is empty and this is the shot that actually ends the point.
The mistake to avoid: hitting inside-in as a rally shot with no setup. Without a prior shot pulling the opponent out of position, you're just hitting a low-margin ball into open risk for no tactical gain.
The one-two pattern
The two shots work together as a sequence, not as alternatives you pick randomly: hit inside-out (or a couple of them) to pull your opponent wide and off the backhand corner, then — once the forehand side opens up — go inside-in to finish. This pull-then-punish pattern is one of the most reliable ways to construct a point around a strong forehand.
Disguising which one you're hitting
The single biggest tell is early shoulder rotation — turning the shoulders toward the down-the-line target before contact gives away an inside-in shot to any opponent paying attention. Keep your setup, stance and shoulder turn identical for both shots for as long as possible, and let the very last moment of the swing (racquet path through contact) decide the direction.
Quick decision guide
- Opponent still centred, rally ongoing → inside-out (safe, rally-building).
- Opponent already pulled wide, forehand corner open → inside-in (finishing shot).
- Unsure, or slightly rushed → inside-out. It's always the lower-risk default.
- Never hit inside-in as your first or only run-around shot in a rally with no setup.
Frequently asked questions
What is an inside-out forehand?+
It's a forehand hit from the backhand side of the court, aimed crosscourt into the opponent's backhand corner (diagonally, over the higher part of the net, following the same crosscourt line as a backhand would). It's the safer, higher-margin option of the two run-around forehands.
What is an inside-in forehand?+
It's a forehand hit from the backhand side but directed down the line into the opponent's forehand corner instead of crosscourt. It travels over the higher part of the net and into a shorter, more open court, so it carries more risk but is often the actual point-ending shot.
When should I hit inside-in instead of inside-out?+
Hit inside-in when your opponent has already been pulled wide by a previous shot (so their forehand corner is open), or when you have a clear opportunity to end the point — it's a finishing shot, not a rally-building one. Default to inside-out when you're not sure, since it's the lower-risk, more repeatable option.
Want to build a whole rally around patterns like this instead of just swinging away?
Read: Constructing Points — Tennis Patterns of Play →