How to Correctly Perform a Banana Flick in Table Tennis?

Last Updated on October 26, 2023 by Sorin Petroj

Doing a banana flick in table tennis can be effective for low shots close to the net with a bit of backspin. To do a banana flick, a right-hander goes around the left side of the ball with the backhand flick.

Keep your wrist firm and follow through with your shot when doing a banana flick.

The banana flick is one of the most challenging skills to master in table tennis, but it can be an incredibly effective way to win a point when done correctly.

Experiment with different speeds and angles to find what works best for you. With practice, you’ll be able to execute a banana flick flawlessly. A Strawberry flick is when they go around the right side of the ball.

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What is Backhand Banana Flick?

A backhand banana flip is a table tennis stroke used to generate spin on the ping pong ball. The stroke is executed by holding the paddle in the backhand position and then quickly flicking the wrist to make contact with the ball.

The result is a shot that curves away from the opponent, making it difficult to return. The backhand banana flip has become increasingly popular in recent years, as players have found that it is an effective way to generate spin and win points.

The key to executing this stroke correctly is to focus your acceleration around the wrist and bring your elbow up slightly before making contact with the ball. This technique can be mastered and used significantly in competition with practice.

The proper footwork before doing a banana flick in table tennis

One of the most important things about the banana flick in table tennis is having the proper footwork. You have to move toward the incoming ball quickly for better execution. Players have to make sure they get some time to adjust in terms of the angle and direction where they will play.

Apart from this, footwork is also crucial while receiving the service as it helps position yourself correctly to return the ball.

The next step is quickly moving your racket up and over the ball, using a wrist snap to generate spin. If done correctly, the ball will spin away from your opponent and into their court for an easy point.

While the banana flick may take some time to master, it is a powerful tool that any serious table tennis player should add to their repertoire.

You have to ensure that your progressive foot is right behind the table so you can get under the ball to strike.

The technique of banana flick in table tennis

Firstly, ensure your forearm is up and accept that every ball is different. Your arm needs to be above the table. The right foot needs to be below the table and as much closer.

Secondly, try to enhance your reflexes. This way, you can decide the best moment to do the backhand flick. Then, with the upper arm close to the table, try to make snapping on the short ball.

Thirdly, try to quickly go back to your left side to expect the next ball. These little details are essential. Your legs should be below and have a gap between them.

Moreover, if the ball bounce is higher, you can do the quality smash and wait for the next point. The banana flip can be a powerful weapon when deciding points are coming. Also, with the boomerang flick, you can confuse every player in essential situations.

Backhand banana flick to the forehand side

The key to executing the backhand banana flick is to start from the middle of the table. This will give you enough time to react to your opponent’s serve and set up the shot.

Once you’ve positioned yourself in the middle of the table, wait for your opponent to serve. As soon as they contact the ball, begin your backhand banana flip. Here is essential to use your forearm, not the shoulder. The body should be in the ready position for pimples, and at the last moment, you adjust the angle and stroke the ping pong ball.

If done correctly, the ball should travel across the table and land on your opponent’s forehand side, giving you an easy point.

Doing a backhand flick on the opponent’s reverse pendulum service

You must first understand the ball’s spin to execute the banana flip against the reverse pendulum.

It has a sidespin if the ball is spinning from left to right (as seen from your perspective). If the ball is not spinning at all, it has no spin. For example, if the ball is spinning from top to bottom, it has a topspin. And if the ball is turning from bottom to top, it has a backspin.

Once you have determined the ball’s spin, you can adjust your grip and stroke accordingly. You will need to brush over the side and top of the ball with your paddle for side spin. You can change your grip and brush over the top of the ball slightly forward for no spin or slight backspin.

And for topspin, you will need to finish your stroke slightly forward. Table tennis players should practice with a robot. This can help perfect your technique.

The strawberry flick in table tennis

The strawberry flick is a move in table tennis that is the opposite of the banana flick. The goal of the strawberry flick is to confuse your opponent by putting a spin on the ball that makes it go in the opposite direction than they expect. This can be very effective if you are fast and responsive.

Moreover, the strawberry flick is very helpful if the player is fast and responsive. The speed at the last moment is crucial. You start with the wrist as if you were going to do a normal pimp, and then at the last moment, you turn the jerk of the racket to the side. It is essential to throw the opponent off balance.

You can also do this technique while pimping, and it is only essential that the ball is short. This move is also called a boomerang flick. Your elbow needs to be higher, but not as much as for a backhand flick. Here is essential to have a racket speed and fast movement.

Fan Zhendong – The King of Banana flick

Fan Zhendong, the world’s number 1 table tennis player, mastered the banana flip for future table tennis. His conditioning and technique are the two main reasons he can perform the shot so well.

Fan Zhendong has such strong legs that they generates great power when he combines them with his agility and footwork. The banana flip is challenging to master because it requires a lot of coordination and timing. Fan Zhendong has both things going for him, which is why he is currently the best table tennis player in the world.

Also, he has powerful backspin serves, a topspin serve, and excellent footwork. When Fan Zhendong does a backhand banana flip, he’s in the perfect position to read the ball’s spin and make the necessary adjustment to his stroke.

This gives him a considerable advantage over his opponents, who struggle to keep up with his speed and agility. As a result, Fan Zhendong can generate a lot of power and accuracy with his backhand strokes, making him one of the best table tennis players in the world.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the backhand flick

One of the advantages of the backhand flick is that it can generate a lot of speed. This can be especially useful if you try to hit the ball on the backhand side.

Additionally, the backhand flick can help you change the ball’s direction. This can be useful to surprise your opponent or avoid hitting the ball into their backhand.

However, there are some disadvantages to using the backhand flick as well. One of these is that it can be difficult to control. This means that you might hit the ball too hard or in the wrong direction.

Additionally, your opponent may be able to read your backhand flick and anticipate where you will hit the ball.

How to react to the opponent’s banana flip?

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a banana flip, the best thing to do is to step away from the table and prepare to wait for the ball in the middle of the table.

If the rotation is high, then you should return a block. In contrast, you can return a topspin if the rotation is low. By being prepared and reacting quickly, you can minimize the damage caused by this tricky move.

Your body should be in a lower position to prepare to react quickly. Then, adjust the angles of the racket according to the ball’s spin and counterattack the opponent.

The banana flick in Table Tennis – FAQs

How often should I do the banana flip?

Sometimes, on short serve, you should perform it. Also, when you play against stronger opponents, you can take a risk and try to hit the ball with a banana flip. It’s not recommended to do it all the time. Also, the strawberry flick should be a part of the surprise for the opponent.

How do I practice wrist movement for a banana flip?

You can practice with a table tennis robot by setting it up to serve short balls. In training, you can play short pimp balls with a partner and then try to perform a flick. It is essential that your shoulder is up at the moment of the stroke and the top of the racket is down. Try to hit the ball in the highest position. The direction of the stroke should be higher as the side spins.

You can do a backhand flick when the opponent serves from the backhand side or forehand side.

How to react when the opponent is doing the banana or strawberry flick?

Your position close to the ping pong table is essential. Try to respond with a topspin or backhand drive movement. On the boomerang flick, you need balance to make a topspin or pimple back. Your position needs to be in the middle of the table.

When should I do the strawberry flick?

The strawberry flick is excellent from the middle of the table to the opponent’s forehand side. This way, you can make him lose his balance. Then, with a proper racket angle, you do a stroke to the backhand.

The strawberry flick also can be done on the opponent’s serve. When you snap the wrist upwards, it will generate spin so that you have enough time for the next stroke.

Can a banana flip be done with a Penhold grip racket?

One advantage of the penhold grip is that it allows for a smaller racket head, making it easier to execute spins and generate more power.

When performing a banana flip, players with a penhold grip may find it more difficult than those with a shakehand grip. But, these table tennis players more often execute the strawberry flick. After that, they are ready to block the balls and make the opponent’s mistake.

The Banana Flick – Conclusion

This new technique makes sense when you do it with generating spin. Another thing is being on the right foot. The quality of the banana flick in table tennis depends on body position, the power of the swing, and the power of the stroke.

The boomerang flick is very dangerous when it is performed correctly. Every one of these strokes should be done with proper wrist movement.

Today, many players use the banana flip. The first one was Petr Korbel. You can watch his best backhand stroke below.

The banana flick is also called the boomerang flick. It can be used as a defensive move to keep the ball in play or as an offensive move to catch opponents off guard.

While it takes some practice to master, the boomerang flick is a versatile tool that can give players an edge in table tennis. You can practice the backhand banana flick with the ping pong robots by choosing the option for the robot to make a short service.

So, there you have it, the backhand banana flip. While this table tennis stroke may seem complex at first, you can also perform this skill like a pro with a bit of practice.