Professional pickleball player Ava Ignatowich has shared a simple guide to help players learn the backhand flick, one of the most effective attacking shots in pickleball. The shot is usually played out of the air at the kitchen line and helps players speed up a dink while giving their opponents less time to react.
According to Ignatowich, the first step is to use a grip that feels comfortable. While some players prefer a continental grip and others like a slightly more eastern grip, she says there is no single perfect grip. An open paddle face can help players generate better lift and control.
She also believes many players make the shot harder than it really is. "I feel like people make the flick really complicated and they talk about like spin and stuff, but all you really have to do is get low, reach in, and just pop it up," she said on her YouTube Channel 'Ava Ignatowich'.
Instead of focusing on spin, Ignatowich says players should use a quick wrist snap. She compared the movement to "a flick slap" and said it is "like throwing a Frisbee." The idea is to make clean contact and pop the ball quickly instead of trying to hit it as hard as possible.
Good body position is also important. She advises players to stay low, keep their weight forward, reach out in front of the body and flick the paddle upward in one smooth motion. She also recommends staying close to the kitchen line so the ball can be taken early.
Ignatowich encourages players not to be afraid of making mistakes while learning. "Don't ever listen to any sort of measurement of can I take this out of the air? No. What I tell players is miss as many balls as possible. Take as many stupid balls out of the air and speed them up as possible before you make that conclusion for yourself," she said.
She also says players should mix backhand dinks with backhand flicks to keep opponents guessing. "If you are dinking half of them and then flicking the other half, people are not going to know which one you're going for, you're going to disguise it a lot better," she explained.
Ignatowich believes regular practice is the key to improving the shot. "Don't take some general rule of thumb and let it limit you. Flick from your ankles, see what you can do," she said. According to her, the more players practice and experiment, the more natural and effective the backhand flick will become.
Written by Aditi Jain
Stay updated with the latest and breaking news on Times Now. Get latest India News, World News, Business News, Sports News, Viral News and Education News also explore Entertainment News and Lifestyle Tips.
Boost Your Prep with Free Mocks & Daily Tests