Ben John’s Tips for Backhand Flick: In a recent Instagram post, pickleball champion Ben Johns shared insights into perfecting the backhand flick, a crucial technique for any serious player. The post, captioned “Elevate your game with this backhand flick technique in pickleball,” showed Johns demonstrating the move while providing essential tips for executing it effectively.
The Power of the Flick
Johns emphasized the importance of timing and positioning when executing a flick. “One, I’d say a flick is easier to hit when the ball is higher because then we’re getting kind of immediate power from the wrist or extra power at least. And that can make it very hard to defend,” Johns explained. This highlights how a higher ball position can naturally enhance the power of a flick, making it a formidable shot for opponents to counter.
The Challenge of Low Flicks
However, Johns cautioned against attempting the flick when the ball is below the net’s level, likening it to a roll shot. “As far as hitting it from below the level of the net goes, which is akin to a roll, we want to be careful simply because using your wrist requires good timing and doing it from below the level of the net,” he noted. The precision required in such scenarios means that mistiming the flick could easily result in hitting the net.
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Technique Over Power
Johns also advised against the common mistake of rolling the wrist excessively during the flick. “If you don’t have good timing, you’re just going to miss the net. So when we get it from below the level of the net and we’re using our wrist a little bit, I don’t want you rolling your wrist like this,” he said, demonstrating the incorrect motion. Instead, he recommended a more controlled movement that directs the ball forward and outward.
Visualizing the Motion
To clarify the technique, Johns concluded with a demonstration, urging players to visualize the correct wrist motion. “This kind of motion, not this motion,” he pointed out, offering a visual contrast. “Let’s watch what that looks like in fast motion,” he added, providing a live-action example for viewers to study and replicate.
News in Brief: Ben John’s Tips for Backhand Flick
In a recent Instagram post, pickleball star Ben Johns shared tips on mastering the backhand flick, emphasizing the importance of timing and wrist control. Johns explained that the flick is easier to execute when the ball is higher, offering immediate wrist power, but cautioned against using it when the ball is below the net.
He advised against excessive wrist rolling, instead demonstrating a controlled motion for accurate execution. The post, aimed at helping players elevate their game, was accompanied by a visual demonstration of the technique in fast motion.
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