Banana Flip

Brian Gibson Asked 12 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 Answered 12 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.