Flick” is one of the table tennis techniques. In this article, I have summarized the basic knowledge of flicks under the theme of “What is flick in table tennis?”
The flick is a really useful shot in table tennis. It allows you to attack short backspin and no-spin ball while you are in the receiving end. You move closer to the ball and push it using your wrist or forearm.
As you become able to hit flicks, the range of tactics expands at a stretch. If you have not learned it yet, you should try it.
What is table tennis flick
The flick is one of the skills on the table tennis game. It is a striking method that hits the opponent’s short ball like playing on the table. Therefore, it is sometimes called “payment”.
Especially, it is often used as a means of attacking the second ball when receiving. It can be said that it is aggressive and can also aim for a score.
In the past, flicks were only “paying” techniques, but modern table tennis flicks are by no means just paying techniques. It may be swung sharply, it may be shot, or it may be driven like a Chiquita.
Flick is a technique that is still evolving.
Effective as second ball attack
The flick is used to return a ball to the opponent’s hit. It is a bench skill such as Tsutsuki(backspin with long push) and stops. Among them, flick can be said to be offensive and have a high score.
As I wrote above, I often use it for receiving. It is also used as a means of first attack against the opponent’s short serve. By hitting the flick with the second ball of the receive, you can close the opponent’s Tsutsuki.
Since the RBI is fast and the ball speed is high, it is possible to return the ball at a timing when the opponent’s posture does not change. There are many cases where you can score as it is.
Although I tried to keep the opponent from flicking, I tried to keep the lower rotation serve with a lot of rotation, but people still flick. From that experience, I was not good at flicks.
For me, flick has a strong image of “baptism of a player.”
Higher difficulty
The flick difficulty is high. I think that you will often learn flicks after you have learned basic batting techniques such as forehand, backhand, Tsutsuki and drive.
It’s possible to flick relatively easily to a ball that hasn’t been spun, but it usually does. Flicks that are often used when receiving must be able to hit the lower rotary serve.
Severe adjustment of angle and swing is required.
However, if you can master the flicks, you can use the repulsion of rotation to strike a strong flick. It is not uncommon to punch without touching.
It is difficult to learn flicks, but if you can learn them, the range of attacks will greatly expand. There are quite a lot of benefits from learning.
I also had a hard time learning flicks. At first, after all, I often lose the rotation and hit the net. Even though I made a mistake, I became able to flick through repeated practice gradually.
It may take some time to learn, but there are many advantages, so please continue to practice.
What is the difference between a bench drive and a flick?
The flick is a batting method in which the ball is turned over on a table and returned. As for the batting method of spinning up on the bench, I think that many people remember the bench drive.
A table-top drive is a drive that hits a short ball that fits on the table. The difference from flicks is in the size of the takeback swing.
When hitting a bench drive, takeback is required and swing must be large. On the other hand, flicks do not require takeback. You should make the swing as compact as possible and hit it.
In terms of the amount of rotation, the bench drive is higher. The flick hits like playing, so strong rotation is not applied.
Although the bench drive and the flick have the common point of “turning on the table and returning the ball”, there is a difference in how to hit.
It’s a personal impression, but many players who use flicks often use front soft rubber.
On the other hand, many athletes who use the bench drive often use the back soft rubber.
The front soft that is not easily affected by rotation is suitable for flicks, and the back soft rubber that is easy to apply rotation is suitable for stand-up drive.
What is Chiquita?
This is a relatively new way of hitting, developed by Peter Korbel (Czech Republic). The ball on the table is horizontally rotated and returned.
Chiquita is actually a percussion method derived from flicks. Therefore, it is also called a lateral rotation backhand flick.
By mixing Chiquita in a normal backhand flick or back drive, you can disturb the opponent and get your game to the advantage.
Try to learn Chiquita after learning Flick. A reverse lateral rotation type Chiquita that hits from a normal Chiquita swing is called “reverse Chiquita”.
Flick benefits
The merit of flick is that you can attack from the receive.
Players who can’t hit flicks have no choice but to return with Tsutsuki for their downward rotation short serve.
You can set the course or increase the amount of rotation to induce mistakes, but you can hardly make a point without touching.
On the other hand, if you can hit the flick, you can attack from the receiver end. By attacking while receiving, you can restrain the opponent’s third ball attack.
Even if your opponent is serving, you will be able to develop the game as you want. Of course, you can also aim for points with one flick.
In a match, many choices are a weapon. It is definitely more advantageous to use more weapons such as flicks, chiquitas, stops, and bench drives than making Tsutsuki as the only receiving option.
It also puts pressure on your opponents.
Disadvantages of flicks
The disadvantage of flicks is that they risk being countered.
The flick gives the opponent a fair chance to hit back and score. Although it has been rotated upward, the amount of rotation is not large. Therefore, there is a risk that the opponent may drive or smash you.
It seems better to keep in mind that flicks are both an aggressive method and a method that involves the risk of being countered at the same time.
When swinging a flick, the basic is a compact swing. This is also important for preparing for the opponent’s counter.
Immediately after hitting, return to the basic stance and prepare for the opponent’s return.
How to hit the flick?
If you are thinking of trying flicks, be sure to remember the following rules. How to hit…
To make a good flick the first thing you need to remember is to get closer to the ball while hitting. So if you are right-handed go close to the ball using your right leg moving close to the table so that you can go close to the ball.
- Same elbow and toe position
- Strike at an angle
- Compact swing around the wrist / forearm
- Keep yourself and the bat as low as possible.
Even those who have already learned flicks will find these useful in improving their forms.
What is a forehand flick?
A forehand flick is a technique that is used in table tennis when an opponent played the ball short and the receiving player tries to save the ball from dropping twice in the table playing with forehand going closer to the ball.
How do you do a backhand flick?
To be able to do a perfect backhand flick you need to move your right leg(if you are a right handed player) toward the table and get closer to the ball. Then hit it using the backhand technique with speed and correct placement.
Wrapping up
- Flick is one of the techniques on the table tennis game
- Flick is an aggressive method
- A flick is a batting method that can be dangerous at the counter
- Flick and bench drive have different swing sizes
- Chiquita is a type of flick
As I wrote above, when you can hit flicks, the range of attacks will greatly expand. The tactics will spread, so try flicking in the game.
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