Which ball to push or flick

Ali Zarei Asked 11 years ago

Hi.

Could you please explain that which balls/serves we should flick and which ball/serves we should push?

I'm really getting crazy with this flick stroke. I know both of them are used for short balls that bounce twice on the table.

But I don't know for which type of spin we should flick or for the balls that bounce a little high or something...

I also saw your videos but didn't get the answer.

And also for which ball, the balls that bounce a little high or we can even do it for a really short and spinny ball?

I saw one of the Samsonov's matches and I realized when he flicks he brushes the ball a little and it's a slow stroke but in the videos I saw you hit the ball flat, which is better?

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Ali,

In general if the ball has backspin then you should push it back.  If it has mainly sidespin or topspin then you can flick.  Also if the ball is higher with any spin then you can flick.

For the flick you can use a little more brushing action against a lower ball to get it up and over the net.  If the ball is higher or with topspin then you can hit it flat.

Take a look at this previous Ask the Coach video response. Unable to decide which return to play