Backhand topspin flick

Eddie Vuong Asked 11 years ago

Hi coach!

My friend has recently started to use a stroke i've never seen before. He uses the backhand and brush the ball to generate topspin. The stroke looks like a flick. The topspin is huge and travels really fast. He likes when the ball is high on his side which make it easier for him to do the stroke. The stroke is also very short.

I've tried to chop the ball but it's just not enough backspin to counter the topspin, and the ball just fly off the table. I've also tried to block the ball by turning my bat down, but the ball travels so fast which make it hard to detect and counter. In the end I've also tried to use my own topspin against that stroke but it only worked once. Do you have any tip?

I know it's hard to understand what i'm saying. Because I also feel that the information I gave wasn't quite enough.

Thanks! Eddie

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Eddie,

It sounds like he is getting a lot of topspin on his flick stroke.  The best thing is to work on the block.  Keep your hand relaxed and keep the stroke straight.  Also wait till the ball bounces up to its highest point.  If you get the angle right you will be able to get the ball back.  It is just a matter of experimenting.