Banana Flip

Table Tennis Service Return

Last updated 9 years ago

Brian Gibson

Brian Gibson Asked 11 years ago

Jeff or Alois,

I've noticed a lot of players are using the banana flip on their backhands,mostly to attack serves but some whenever they have the chance. It looks like a cousin of the reverse pendulum backspin serve but with the wrist cocked about as far as it can be downward and then making about a 3/4 circle when hitting the ball. At the starting point you can see the top of the forearm with the wrist cocked back far enough that the top of the forearm blocks its view. The finishing point seems to be the bottom of the forearm and the palm side of the hand both facing the ceiling. This shot seems to generate a tremendous amount of spin. I was thinking of practicing it but wanted to know if I have the mechanics right. Also, at what point on the ball do you want to make contact? And how much of the shot is a brushing contact compared to force?

Thanks in advance,

Brian


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Brian,

Take a look at our lesson on the Backhand Sidespin Flick and let me know if this is the stroke you are talking about.  I like your name for it a lot better than ours.

It can be a really effective return but is an advanced stroke.  More of the top players are using it now.  You are brushing around the side of the ball on the contact to get the sidespin.  This also means that you are not getting the full force of the backspin on the ball.


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cannon gavin

cannon gavin Posted 10 years ago

HI ALOIS AND JEFF YOU GUYS ARE EXCELLENT! WHEN MY HEALTH IMPROVES I WILL BE ORDERING THE ADVANCE LESSONS FROM YOU, CANNON GAVIN THANKS FOR ALL THE FREE TIPS YOU GIVE!


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago

No problems Cannon.  Glad you are enjoying it.


parkash rawat

parkash rawat Posted 9 years ago

Hi Alois,

I think I just did kind of "forehand banana flips" while receiving some shorts serve on my forehand. They were tougher to execute but I think I managed fine. Have you ever seen someone try this shot?

Parkash


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

It is harder to do because of the movement of the wrist.


parkash rawat

parkash rawat Posted 9 years ago

Thanks for a very swift reply Alois.


Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago

Is it true that with banana flick one supposed to generate topspin (it looks like a mini topspin) rather than hit flatly as in ordinary flick?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

Yes there is a lot of topspin and also sidespin.


Thomas Kunzfeld

Thomas Kunzfeld Posted 9 years ago

A little slow motion video of Christian Süss performing the same stroke, brushing very much:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI_HZbFfSTA


Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago

Is it a good idea to try to cover the entire table with this flick (maybe without sidespin for lower level players)? Or having a forehand flick is equally important?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

Hi Ilia,

To start with it is important to develop your forehand flick as well.  Playing the backhand banana flick from everywhere takes a lot of training, but only with the stroke but also with the recovery for the next ball.


Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago

Hi Alois,

Why do top players opt for topspin flick on their backhand and a flat flick on their forehand? A flat backhand flick seem to be a very rare stroke.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

Hi Ilia,

It is easier to use your wrist with the backhand flick to make this stroke.  It is not as easy with the forehand side.



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