How to Play a Backhand Flick (Banana Flick) in Table Tennis

Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Alex Horscroft

What Is a Backhand Flick?

The backhand flick is an attacking stroke you predominantly play against short balls. Although there are two types: the banana flick and the strawberry, it is the banana flick that is the most common.

If someone references a backhand flick they are almost certainly referring to the banana flick.

As short balls prevent us from attacking using a long stroke such as a loop, we are forced to find another means of attack. The backhand flick is exactly this. It has a small stroke length which means you can use it however short the ball lands on your side.

The general motion of the banana flick is a small arcing forward curve, much like a banana — hence the name. The banana flick produces sidespin and topspin.

Why Should I Learn the Banana Flick?

As the only means of attack for most people on the backhand side, it is a shot you should definitely learn for your arsenal.

If your struggling to keep your pushes short and being overwhelmed by attacking openers from your opponents (as many of us often are), the banana flick is the perfect shot to turn the tide. It means you can initiate the first attack and implement your will.

It’s also important to note that the banana flick is far more common and easier to perform than the forehand flick. This is because it closely resembles the backhand loop and even the backhand drive to some extent. It’s played in front of you, and you should already be familiar with using a bit of wrist action to produce topspin.

Forehand flicks on the other hand are played far further in front of your body than other forehand strokes, therefore they feel a little unnatural to begin with. You also can’t produce much topspin with them as there is very little wrist action.

The takeaway: banana flicks are more important to learn than forehand flicks.

When Should I Play a Banana Flick?

Should

Technically you can play a banana flick against any type of ball: no spin, light backspin, heavy backspin, sidespin, or topspin.

Banana flicks shine in the short game. Use them if your opponent doesn’t have a strong counter-hit response. They work great against both pushes and serves.

Shouldn’t

Don’t use flicks for long balls. As these balls only bounce once on your side, you can engage your whole arm rather than just your elbow and wrist for a more potent shot.

You might also want to avoid flicking too much if your opponent is answering back with strong counters. Similarly, if you are dominating the short game by smashing high pushes, forcing pushing errors, etc continue to exploit these weaknesses.

How to Perform a Banana Flick

Here you can see a breakdown of how to perform the banana flick. I have chosen to omit the stance section as this is an intermediate stroke and you should already have the stance down. If for whatever reason you’re not familiar with the ready position you can check that out here.

Step 1: Build Up

• Step inward with your dominant foot underneath the table. This ensures you are not over-reaching.
• Move your bat backward and towards your chest. This increases the length of the stroke.
• Bend your wrist inward. So that it is facing in your direction.
• Raise your elbow. This creates more space for your stroke allowing for a greater pivot of the elbow.

Step 2: Striking the Ball

• Flick your wrist and strike the top corner of the ball. If you’re a righty, strike the top left section of the ball at the back. Make your motion fast with light contact. This ensures heavy topspin and sidespin.
• Contact the ball at the top of the bounce or just before. This gives you enough height to play a fast flick.
• Keep your elbow still. For the best whipping motion use your elbow as a pivot. Try to keep it fairly still.

Step 3: Finish and Recovery

• Follow through the ball. Finishing with your bat at around head level.
• Finish your stroke roughly pointing where you played the ball. Like for the backhand push and backhand drive.
• Return to the ready position. Thereby preparing yourself for the next ball.
  

Recommended Videos to Help You Learn the Banana Flick

PingSkills do a great job at breaking down a very basic banana flick. However, in their video, they are returning balls with very light spin for demonstration purposes. As a result, their bat angles are quite flat.

In reality, if you’re facing a half-decent opponent they will be throwing a lot more backspin your way. This means you have to brush the ball more. So while I recommend it, I think you should give the next video a watch also.

Table Tennis Daily’s video does a much better job at showing a quality flick. Dan produces heavy spin on his flicks because of his wrist action. This technique allows you to attack balls with heavy backspin.

However, don’t get ahead of yourself! Dan is an expert player, and learning such a flick takes decades. Just watch his stroke closely and try to emulate it as best you can. Start with a slower less spinny flick, and then work your way up as you become more comfortable.

Common Mistakes

1. Gripping the bat too tight. The key to a quality flick is a loose grip. This allows you to really brush the ball and produce heavy spin.
   
2. Using too much shoulder. You don’t really use much of your shoulder for the stroke. Focus on pivoting your elbow instead.
3. Not bending the wrist enough. The snapping motion of the wrist is an essential component of the flick. If you don’t bend your wrist much you will lose both speed and spin.
4. Hitting the ball too late. Strike the ball at the top of the bounce. Every moment after this creates a smaller window to play the shot and forces you to hit the ball slower or else risk missing the table.
5. Striking the ball too far away from your body. You should be very close to the ball for the flick. This is why the initial step-in is so important.

Next Lessons

Provided you’ve got your forehand push and backhand push down you might want to explore your other short attacking options.

These are the strawberry flick and forehand flick.

The forehand flick is a staple for quality table tennis players, but the strawberry is pretty rare. Like the banana flick, you perform it on your backhand side. It’s harder to play effectively, nonetheless, it is a great shot to learn.