Backhand Boomerang flick
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 6 years ago
Manfred Asked 6 years ago
Hi Alois, hi Jeff, i saw a Video about the boomerang flick.
I think this is a interesting variation to flick but it looks hard to get this stroke consistent .... and .... because the Ball is shot with the backhand to the left (right-hander) it doesn't work well if you are a forehand oriented player because of your standing position.
What do you think. Is it worth to work out this stroke?
All he best
Manfred
Alois Rosario Answered 6 years ago
Hi Manfred,
It is a very popular stroke now and is very effective. You are right though, that it is difficult to execute.
Give it a try for yourself and see how you get on with it. Take a look at our lesson on the Backhand Sidespin Flick.
Thoughts on this question
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Manfred Posted 6 years ago
https://youtu.be/LYM9PRX3QhI
Thanks Alois, for your answer. But this wasn't the kind of flick i asked for. Look at this Video.
Manfred Posted 6 years ago
https://youtu.be/LYM9PRX3QhI
Here the right link to the video.
Jean Balthazar Posted 6 years ago
It's good as a surprise variation. Gauzy does it efficiently, but rarely more than once per set, and often when it goes towards the end of the set and the score is tight. He does it as a last moment variation after making it look like he prepares for a push, so the deception is that you expect an underspin shot and actually get tospin. In the Ma Long training video he tries to have the same preparation movement and alternate between a normal banana flick (contacting the ball on the left side and sending it curving to the right corner) and that boomerang flick (contacting the ball on the right side and sending it curving to the left corner). In both cases, the boomerang shot is not necessarily very strong in itself, but it's the deception that is key. That's how I see it.
Jean Balthazar Posted 6 years ago
Sorry, I meant "In the Zhang Jike training video".
Manfred Posted 6 years ago
Thanks Jean.
Aaron Lin Posted 6 years ago
Yes I agree with Jean!
this technique just adds a little variation and unpredictability to the game.
its also called the strawberry flick https://gfycat.com/FondAgreeableDingo
ive seen some Japanese players use it occasionally too, especially the younger female players
i feel as though because of the restrictions on our wrists/arms (how much it can bend), this stroke has less spin and speed than the common banana flick.