Stopping a flick

Mikey Silverio Asked 11 years ago

Hi! After beating my opponent consistently, he realizes the importance of taking the initiative. He now backhand flicks every serve I make, giving him a good cushion to keep the score close. I am a close to the table attacker that plays the short game until I play a strong topspin from either wings. So mainly I serve heavy backspin but now my opponent keeps flicking the ball causing it to tip over the net causing me to lose the point. How can I prevent this?

Thanks in advance! :)

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Mikey,

If you use more variation on the serve it will make it more difficult for them to make the stroke consistently. It may sound strange but sometimes if you serve a topspin serve you will get an error from them. Some players like to flick against backspin than against topspin.

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nate s Posted 11 years ago

I how a question similar to this on. One of my opponents has a very fast flick with his backhand, so if i hit a block to hiss backhand he flicks the ball and I have a really hard time returning it and even if I do it is a good return (most times off the table.) I have tired not return to his backhand hand as much but it doesn't always work. Is there a way to block his flick?

Thank you very much.

Nate

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Nate,

Again I think the best solution is prevention. It is more about trying to stop that flick happening by keeping the ball low and changing the direction of the ball.

If he does flick then thick about having relaxed hands to block the ball back. Also put a little topspin on the block if the ball is going off the table. This will get the ball to dip back down onto the table.