Play like Nadal ahead of the Aussie Open!
- January 16th, 2015
- Camilla Chapman
The first tennis major of the year is just around the corner, with the stars on the circuit raring to go at the Australian Open. The summer's in full swing Down Under, and temperatures could be scorching at Melbourne Park. Last year, the peak temperature was 41.7 degrees celsius at the tournament. If you're lucky enough to be enjoying sunshine, remember to drink plenty of water and rest when playing sport!
Rafael Nadal is one of the biggest names in Tennis, winning 14 grand slam titles, including the Australian Open in 2009. He is arguably best known for using the inside-out forehand, a shot which gives him the edge over his opponents, by hitting the shot from the backhand side.
This shot tests your coordination, footwork and groundstroke ability. It's a key skill to have in the game, and gets you to hit those more accurate forehands. Instead of stretching for that backhand every time, this shot will give you variation and consistency with the right footwork.
Do you want to perfect this technique? Sportplan has loads of drills which will help you make this shot. Take a look below at our recommended drill and session plan, to get you started.
Inside-Out Forehand:
Coaching Points -
Many players don't realise that proper footwork is a necessity to achieving high levels of tennis performance. Roger Federer is a great example of a pro who mastered variety of footwork patterns, and that is why he has such a great balance on almost every stroke. Coaches have to emphasise that quick footwork is a primary goal to be able to hide weaker backhand and take advantage of the dangerous forehand.
Tennis Plan - Inside Out and Inside In
Why coach this shot?
Use this plan to teach your players how to properly run around the backhand and take advantage of the forehand.
Now that you've mastered this skill, who do you think will win the first grand slam of the year? Vote in our poll below and get ready to cheer on your favourite! Enjoy the tennis, and get motivated to play like a champion. |
If you just want to work on your ground strokes, we have drills on forehands and backhands, for all different ages too. There's something for everyone! Take a look at the drills that we recommend. |
| Hitting down the lines with confidence | Four shots - Four winners | 2 lines - Forehand and Backhand |
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