The Pause Before the Backhand Flick
Resznotes asked 2 days ago
Hi, Dan and Tom.
I noticed in Liam Pitchford’s backhand flick that there is a pause before he executes the flick. He gets set, then there is a pause, then he draws back his hand a bit more, then he executes the flick. Can you tell me what the roll of the pause is, and how /why it might be valuable in executing a flick?
Thanks,
Resznotes
Tom Academy Coach answered 1 day ago
Hey Resznotes! Yes for sure, the pause is kind of the moment where the energy is stored and prepared before releasing into the shot, so if you imaging a spring being squashed and you hold the spring down just before you let go and the spring releases its energy this is like the pause. If you just bring the wrist back and then straight forward into the flick it doesn’t have the same energy and force into the shot, so the pause is helping the with acceleration and whip effect in the shot. It does also help you time the shots better, with the slight pause you can also be sure to strike the ball at the top of the bounce and not rush in too early or snatch at the shot. So It will help you with the quality and consistency if you can get the pause in your backhand flick. Hope that helps. Tom 🙂
