Mastering the Inside-Out Shot in Pickleball

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is practice.” — Vladimir Horowitz

Pickleball is a game of precision, strategy, and adaptability. While drives, dinks, and drops are foundational, adding creative shots to your repertoire can elevate your game and keep your opponents guessing. One of the most effective—and often underutilized—shots is the inside-out shot.

What Is the Inside-Out Shot?

The inside-out shot is when you hit the ball across your body in the opposite direction of where your paddle seems to be aiming. Imagine lining up for what looks like a standard forehand down the line, but instead, with a quick wrist and paddle angle adjustment, you send the ball crosscourt. The beauty of the inside-out shot lies in its deception. Your body position suggests one direction, but the ball travels another.

Why Use the Inside-Out Shot?

This shot isn’t just about flash. It has real tactical advantages that can shift momentum in your favor:

• Element of Surprise: Opponents often misread your paddle angle and footwork, leaving them out of position. It’s a shot that makes them second-guess their anticipation.
• Opens the Court: By pulling your opponent wide, you expose the middle or the opposite sideline for your next attack. This helps create offensive opportunities with greater control.
• Neutralizes Power Players: Power hitters thrive on predictable patterns. A sharp inside-out dink or drop forces them into defensive stretches, disrupting their rhythm and control.
• Adds Versatility: Developing this shot means you’re no longer limited to straight-ahead or obvious crosscourt options, keeping your game unpredictable and multidimensional.

When to Use It

Timing is everything. The inside-out shot is most effective in these moments.

• At the Kitchen: A soft inside-out dink can force your opponent to cover uncomfortable angles, breaking their control at the net.
• On the Third Shot: Instead of defaulting to a crosscourt drop or middle placement, disguise an inside-out drop that arcs into the sideline and pulls your opponent wide.
• During Rallies: When you notice your opponent leaning or shifting in anticipation of a straight shot, an inside-out stroke can leave them stranded, opening the point for you to finish.
• In Defensive Situations: Even when pushed wide yourself, a controlled inside-out reset can buy you time and neutralize aggressive play.

How to Execute the Shot

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to refine your mechanics.

1.     Set Up: Position yourself as if preparing for a conventional forehand or backhand to sell the deception.

2.     Paddle Angle: Slightly open the paddle face outward, allowing you to redirect the ball across your body.

3.     Wrist Action: Add a subtle wrist flick at the point of contact to enhance the angle and disguise.

4.     Follow Through: Keep the paddle low and cross your body, finishing compactly to maintain control and keep opponents guessing.

5.     Balance: Stay light on your feet. Balance is critical since over-rotating can cause mishits or leave you exposed for the next ball.

Drills to Practice

Consistent practice builds confidence, precision, and disguise.

• Target Drill: Place cones or markers along the far sideline and aim to consistently land your inside-out shots on target. Alternate between forehand and backhand to improve both sides.
• Deception Drill: Rally with a partner who calls out “line” or “inside-out” as you begin your swing, forcing you to adjust paddle angle and placement quickly. This sharpens adaptability under pressure.
• Kitchen Control: Practice inside-out dinks at the net. Focus on keeping the ball low over the net while creating extreme angles that force your opponent out wide.
• Pattern Play: Combine the inside-out with straight drives or drops in sequence. For example, hit two straight dinks followed by an inside-out dink. This trains you to integrate the shot into real rallies.

Game Point

The inside-out shot isn’t just flashy. It’s a practical, high-level tactic that gives you an edge over opponents. It adds an element of surprise, forces players out of their comfort zones, and keeps rallies in your control. Like any advanced technique, mastering it takes patience, repetition, and confidence.

The next time you step on the court, experiment with the inside-out shot and see how it changes the flow of play. With enough practice, it can become one of your most reliable and most feared weapons.

See you on the courts!