Backhand Banana Flip

Hi Coach

Ive been trying to add the backhand banana flip into my game and when I know that there is a short backspin serve coming I can already prepare for the stroke and execute it perfectly with alot of rotation. But the problem is that when recieving Im standing a little bit further back from the table because when the opponent serves long I can attack the ball better. but because of this Im a little bit too late on the banana flip and (because I have to wind up my wrist and forearm which takes mush longer than a flat flick) and then Im forced to play a push because If I then try to banana flip I can only flip it into the net because the ball is already too low.

So can you give a tip on how to read the length of a serve earlier so I can prepare for the flip already.

Thanks

Hi Rob,

The first thing is to track the ball from the time they have the ball in their hand.  If you start to track the ball well you will find that you will give yourself a good deal more time.

 The other thing is to keep practicing the skill in isolation.  The better you become at it, the quicker you will be able to adjust the stroke when the ball is coming.  Keep adding more random elements into the drill as you feel comfortable with the stroke.