An inside out forehand is an advanced specialty forehand drive that generates spin on the side of the pickleball (to note, a right-handed inside out forehand will generate clockwise sideways spin, while a left-handed inside out forehand will generate counterclockwise sideways spin). This spin is different than a top spin shot or a slice because the spin is moving horizontal, rather than vertical. As a result, an inside out forehand will not have as much effect on the bounce of the pickleball (and, to note, will generally keep its spin after the bounce). Rather, an inside out forehand will cause the pickleball to curve or hook in the air. An inside out forehand is generally an effective shot if the pickleball gets in too tight to your body.

To hit an inside out forehand, you will generally strike the pickleball in the same manner as your basic forehand drive (including the same preparation with a short backswing), with the following exceptions:

1. Paddle Angle – For your basic forehand drive, you will have a flat paddle face. In contrast, for your inside out forehand, you will have a slightly open paddle face up toward the sky (which is similar to a forehand slice).

2. Paddle Trajectory – For an inside out forehand, you need to get your paddle to move across the backside of the pickleball in a horizontal manner. To do this, you will take a short backswing with your paddle by your waist, and pull your paddle across the pickleball toward your body. Similar to the top spin forehand drive, the friction of your paddle against the backside of the pickleball is how you will generate the proper sideways spin on the pickleball. Again, think of your paddle like sandpaper, and use your paddle face to sand the backside of the pickleball from the outside of the pickleball to the inside of the pickleball. After you “sand” the backside of the pickleball, you will then finish your paddle swing up and through the pickleball, so that your finishing point is a flat paddle toward the sky, as if you are a waiter serving drinks with your paddle face.

3. Shorter Backswing and Slower Paddle – When hitting an inside out forehand, it is important to take a shorter backswing and have a little slower paddle speed throughout your paddle swing. This is because if you play the inside out forehand too aggressively, you can get too much lift and too much hook on the pickleball, causing the pickleball to sail way out of bounds. By taking a shorter backswing with a slower paddle speed, you will play the inside out forehand a little softer, which will give you more consistency and control of the hook on the pickleball.

Although we described the inside out drive as a forehand, you could certainly hit an inside out backhand, too. The mechanics and concepts are generally the same. However, be careful, as this shot is generally more difficult to control and keep consistent.

Key Takeaways:

1. An inside out forehand will generate side spin, which will cause the pickleball to curve or hook in the air. An inside out forehand is generally an effective shot if the pickleball gets in too tight to your body.
2. To hit an inside out forehand:
a. Start with a slightly open paddle face toward the sky;
b. Start your paddle from the outside of the pickleball;
c. Pull your paddle horizontal across the backside of the pickleball toward your body; and
d. Finish your paddle swing up and through the pickleball, so that your finishing point is a flat paddle toward the sky.
3. To improve your consistency and control of the inside out forehand, take a shorter backswing and have a little slower paddle speed throughout your paddle swing.