Backhand Flick - Amateur vs Pro technique in SLOW MOTION

[@TomLodziak]

In the video Liam is using the following equipment: Blade: Victas Liam Pitchford blade: bribartt.co.uk/product/victas-liam-pitchford-table-tennis-blade/?ref=8204 Rubbers: Victas V15 Extra: bribartt.co.uk/product/victas-v15-extra-table-tennis-rubber/?ref=8204 You might also be interested in Liam’s Masterclass coaching series he recorded with Table Tennis Daily Academy: tabletennisdailyacademy.com/packages/liam-pitchford-masterclass/?aff=TomLodziak

[@mahadevansubramanian118]

you missed Liam plays his BH with black side and you with side. Does it not make any difference ?

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

Thank you TOM for this video. You didnt hesitate to show the difference in level between you and Liam and you did it to help us improve. Your humility is greatly appreciated!

[@-danR]

He showed us the difference, but not the salient difference. Tom correctly notes Liam's high elbow position but not the how and _why_ it got there. 5:27 LM is loading high-mass, low speed kinetic energy _by_ raising the elbow. This energy is transferred to the forearm and exchanged through the wrist for low-mass high (rotation+linear) speed kinetic energy at the blade: the business end. In other words, there's more to the raising of elbow than just positioning; it is the end-point of a momentum dynamic. Had he positioned the elbow there before, say, the ball had crossed the net, it would have done nothing to aid the snap, and in fact Tom's technique would be a good starting point (with plenty of practice of course)for a different, and equally effective, flick production: less spin, more _punch._

[@TheAmebcia]

Fenomenal. Slowmo and the multiple cam angles are great

[@x.x.7646]

Thanks for this. Even amongst the pros Liams backhand is feared. So interesting to see his technique. Not to forget he does it within the dynamic of the game without preparation.

[@davidvalente7935]

I greatly appreciate the slow mo and comparative videos. Takes humility and great inquisitiveness and curiosity; little ego. Thanks! :)

[@shtr-ptr]

what i love on this YTchannel that Tom explains in a very simple way for us amateurs using non-tennis terms and synonyms. "i have been you but then figured it out by comparing wrist action to coil"

[@idrivearttabletennis]

Amazing to look at it all in slow motion. Liam has lots of motion but never without control.

[@TomLodziak]

Yes, the consistent timing is really quite impressive, considering how much motion he has in the stroke.

[@dennisgarciano7317]

This is CLEAREST BACKHAND FLICK DEMONSTRATION I have ever seen.. Thanks a lot Sir.. keep spreading the good thing of table tennis

[@AdnanGusic]

What an awesome video. Thanks Tom! My favoutite stroke is this one, but I'm far far away to do it consistently :) Hope one day my dream will come true!

[@vjlad13]

Brilliant comparison very useful. Hope you do more videos like these. Thank you

[@ruslangabitov5202]

Thank you for sharing. The only way to learn something is learning from Masters. Great footage and detailed analysis in slow-mo. Please continue to make this kind of videos.

[@xipingpong667]

Its great tom how after many years of playing u are ready call ur self amateur.u might not be pro but u are definitely way more than just amateur.Such magnanimity

[@LORDVADER357]

There is only one difference between pro and amateur. Pro get paid amateur not. You can be thousands times better than Liam and still be amateur. Skilled amateur is called enthusiast.

[@youjohnny16]

Hey Tom. My coach taught me the importance of the back of the hand pointing downwards today to get power on the BH. It appears the same on the flick. If you note the difference between your hand and Liam's then that is a key difference. Obviously there are many others, but the back of the hand pointing to the ground is key to getting acceleration from the wrist. Give it a go.

[@LatipWiyono]

You made a very detailed video, to get a better understanding how to use flick technique. Thank you, Tom

[@Kydos37]

Really interesting stuff, that coiling motion is insane

[@agc444]

Great video. I see a couple more differences. One is grip. If you pause the video at 1'49'' you can see big difference as Tom's grip is more "backhandish", which paradoxically turns out to be worse. The other is timing. Liam lets the ball drop a lot more. He actually waits for the ball while Tom goes for it. Great job. Thanks.

[@TomLodziak]

I think the timing is a really important point. I rush my BH flick technique and Liam weights to see the length of the serve and then contacts the ball either peak of the bounce or even just a little after. By waiting a little longer, Liam is able to use his wrist a lot more.

[@jeevanchaukar]

Very useful video, Tom! Thanks for sharing - I am always showing your content to my son who is trying hard to progress in TT!

[@MikolaiStroinski]

Your humility drives this channel. Thanks!

[@MsTessG]

“How does Liam achieve this?” Liam practices 8 hours a day.

[@danielmwamulowe169]

I want to be like Liam when I grow up 😆

[@premmagar1170]

Exactly

[@sashbar]

You need a pretty flexible wrist and great timing to do such an extreme flick. It looks like an extreme Petr Korbel banana, very popular these days, a lot of top players are using variations of this flick but not everyone goes for such an extreme movement.

[@TomLodziak]

Yep, a lot of practice is needed for this shot. I can't do it the way Liam does yet. At my rate of training, I anticipate I will have mastered this shot by the time I'm 81.

[@emilyjames3110]

@@TomLodziak recommendations on online shop on table tennis equipment or clothes etc

[@michelleking1691]

I had all of these until I’ve just a lesson with Tom and now I’ve tried to correct them.Can’t say I’m getting it right every time but at least I’m conscious if what I’m doing.Thanks Tom. Michelle

[@bobitsmagic4961]

The way he flicked the ball at the end and you just stand there unable to do anything, i love it

[@douglashill4567]

Excellent! Also note the essential cheek puffing technique. Phew!!

[@1markus111]

Tom this Video is great! Now I know what to do. Please, if possible much more of this kind of video

[@TomLodziak]

Hello! I've got some similar videos coming up with Liam when I compare different attacking strokes. Should be interesting!

[@abbey-h9m]

Danke für Deine Videos. Du erklärst alles sehr gut verständlich.

[@LNippur]

Oh si!, por fin encontre un canal que muestra perfectamente en slow motion el movimiento de un reves. Muchas gracias!. Un video Muy didactico. Traduccion: "Oh yes, I finally found a channel that perfectly shows the movement of a backhand in slow motion. Thank you so much!. A very educational video."

[@davidkelly972]

Thanks for this info. I will do a lot of work on this part of the game. Enyoyed our game at Draycott. Thanks for the lesson!

[@josepinchero]

would love more vids like this: amateur vs pro technique in SLOW motion...on the most important shots: serve with deception. serve with heavy backspin. what pros do in serve return vs an amateur. looping shots on backspin and topspin. footwork examples for both. body mechanics examples for both. this would be really helpful.

[@TomLodziak]

I have recorded a few of these with Liam and will be releasing over the next few months. In a couple of weeks I'll be publishing one on FH topspin vs backspin.

[@RedLameDog]

Great set up and angles of the camera. Really showed the technique well with good explanations. I’ll be focussing on this next time. Thanks 👍

[@nigarcia1]

great teachings, I love how you describe very detailed the technique applied. thanks for sharing

[@GhanaTableTennis]

You need to love to teach the right techniques to do such a video. Thank you Tom

[@philsnelson7981]

Really interesting video Tom. Think that acceleration Liam gets is the key and the difference. His acceleration allows him to play with a near horizontal racket. Generate the acceleration and the whole game changes . Off to practice now for our next encounter! Keep up the good work.

[@TomLodziak]

Hi Phil. Yes, it's incredible how much acceleration he generates. It hurts my wrist just thinking about it! Played the VETTS Midland Masters at the weekend. Not much success. Standard very high. I'll keep on trying though.

[@philsnelson7981]

@@TomLodziak Luck of the draw . Looks like you had a tough group. Maybe see you at the Eastern.

[@jameshamilton6096]

Awesome. i noticed Liam catches the ball towards the edge of his bat which is the fastest moving part of the bat in a twisty wrist action similar to the Ghost serve. many thanks

[@TomLodziak]

Good observation. Yes, Liam definitely makes contact with the tip of the rubber.

[@steve44xds]

I'm going to practice this shot and can't wait to try it out

[@argh01hass]

Did you compare any other strokes? This is such a great approach, I'd love to see some more comparisons

[@TomLodziak]

Yes, absolutely. My next video will be a comparison of FH topspin vs backspin.

[@bobsyouruncle5534]

Great vid. Love it. The slow motion trick is perfect to understand.

[@kendang8646]

Agree with most comments, please have more of the slow motion and comparative videos, Thank you !

[@totoro8492]

Thànk you for sharing different tier technique, tom. I really appriciate and felt helpful as a pingpong beginner player 🤗

[@billlides5569]

Thank you very much for this excellent video Tom!

[@alfiannurhidayat5093]

Thank you Tom, what a great video as always 👍

[@danialhughes830]

Hi Tom - fantastic video as usual…I do have one suggested improvement for this one though. Would have been nice to see you try to emulate the different technique at the end of the video.

[@alangoudie2299]

thank you for a very helpful video. Your back hand flick is a lot better than mine.

[@hannesreinhardt1399]

Liam's technique very hard to consistently hit it so brush with that angle (really a pro's shot) lots of possible errors. But for sure so much fun if you do make a point like that! And i agree with lots of commentators before - great explanation and camera work! Cool

[@johannortje6973]

Brilliant video-many thanks👌

[@fairblues]

Thanks for an excellent video - really appreciated...

[@piing-poong7650]

Great Video Analysis

[@albertjohnson5338]

That was A Plus - thank you!

[@katerina.halikova]

Really good video, helped me improve my flicks!

[@pnachtwey]

The difference is that Liam brushes the ball more so it has a lot more spin relative to the speed. The Magnus effect is proportional to the speed x spin but if the ball is hit with too much speed it will go off the table before the Magnus effect and gravity can force ball down. Also, all the spin will cause the ball to shoot out low and fast at the opponent when it bounces. You need to have a grippy rubber to do what Liam is doing, practice and have a lot of faith in your technique because the face of Liam's paddle is pointing down/closed so the ball will go into the net without lots of brushing , This is like a mini wrist loop. Tom hits the ball with too much speed relative to spin.

[@rcarioca]

nice camera work and slow motion comparison

[@semangatberbagi4632]

Thank you for sharing this video

[@ismail6981]

Thank you very much That was a very useful video

[@ianmurphy5975]

I've recently started to try this shot...another thing to consider is where the ball is going to bounce on your side of the table ...ie being in the right position to play that flick....im hitting about 5% back at the moment.....lots to do lots to remember but know its a shot worth sticking with

[@theuslarsson2052]

Excellent analysis, dzięki Tom :)

[@TearTheRoof0ff]

Pitchford's backhand in general is just insane.

[@RaymondChambersJa]

Very Very Helpful video!

[@joehughes3764]

A big thing you missed is his contact point. He hits the side of the ball, you hit it much more the back of the ball

[@bmsdotnet5083]

Thanks for your video 🙏

[@Sunny-bychoice]

Such a great video! That you!!

[@blvdk]

Very informative! thank you

[@brunoamsantana]

Awesome video! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@manueldelafuente4847]

Excelente video

[@pratikmanolkar8352]

Hello Sir. Is it possible to achive this backhand flick return using an antispin rubber on the backhand ?

[@ameerkhanaqiny9425]

Your best fan bro 🖐🏼🖐🏼 always first comment 😎😂

[@thesciencehinduby]

Great thank you for such a wonderful video. I need a small guidance on similar stuff. I am able to do this when its slow backspin. But when I am in a ralley I start miss hiting. Please can you help how to deal with that. When opponent blocks or drives back on backhand, I want to maintain attack.

[@lejaunes]

precious video, ty !

[@myvids3115]

My uneducated question would be how much the hardware has to deliver to pull this off. Do you needhigh grip topspin rubber or can you pull it off mostly through technique (with propper equipment of course)

[@atomicz7571]

When i do this it goes to the net. Any tips?

[@phronnie1]

Thanks a lots 👍

[@danu-761jk]

Sir i am nit having any coach and also not getting training.. I am trying to learn in college... How do i improve my techniques and skills

[@Ichselbst6606]

What a backhand!!

[@shayancenter2963]

very nice thanks

[@RajivChopra]

Brilliant!

[@wildyobscura5852]

Is this possible with cheaper racquets??

[@TomLodziak]

Yes. Liam could do this with a very cheap bat. It's mostly all technique. Of course his rubbers / blade help him get that little extra speed and spin. But he would be able to play this flick with any bat.

[@amitjain11000]

staying low with bent knees and curved back improves shot accuracy a lot in TT.

[@yunghanhuang8188]

could you flick back hand with the serve balls which were lower the net height?

[@TomLodziak]

Yes. You need to lift your bat a little higher to get the ball over the net, but it is very possible to do.

[@yunghanhuang8188]

@@TomLodziak Do people get injured by practicing back hand flick too much? it seems like an awkward motion to me

[@TomLodziak]

@@yunghanhuang8188 If you have never tried a backhand flick, and then try to do it like Liam Pitchford straight away, there is a chance you may strain something. But if you build the technique up gradually - simple at first, then move to a more advanced technique over time - then you shouldn't have too much of an issue with injuries.

[@viranirav]

Thank you!

[@aerotus888]

Great video!

[@PlumbGSY]

Awesome job Tommy boy

[@drleoalvarez7311]

Great vídeo 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🏅💪👌

[@criticaltinker]

will that work receiving top spin too or same but more forward?

[@TomLodziak]

Against a short topspin serve, you will need to start with your bat higher, contact towards the top of the ball and go forwards more.

[@amadeusbm]

Liam in the final phase of the stroke work with the wrist only.

[@costaches]

you have to loop Liam's motion in a continuous 10-hour length video. ))))

[@Blueros.694]

How can i download your videos? Is there any site to do so?

[@zhangzenger9274]

haha, Mr. Pitchford is my favorite player, I'm his fan. I love him very much.

[@stefanreuter9626]

Great vid👍👍👍

[@yantos.324]

Thankyou 💪💪

[@MichaelColpin]

Great video ! Tom, did you change your backhand flick technique after that ? It could be interesting to have your feedback after trying to improve your technique. Thanks

[@TomLodziak]

Not yet. I find Liam's technique quite tricky. It may take me a long time to get consistent at it.

[@lionelblaauw9812]

Awesome

[@徐景馨]

很棒的解說。不知有沒人對林昀儒也做同樣的分析?

[@bochinhim]

Great

[@timothychan4566]

Maybe you can look at your thumb position and how it affects your range of motion

[@nitinjain1234]

Your bat is almost touching the table, however Liam's bat is very much parallel to the table despite having some gap, while playing this shot beginners also need to take that into consideration as their hand/bat does not touch the table.

[@Anvar2308]

It will be interesting if you try to do his technic after analysis.

[@TomLodziak]

I have tried, but my success rate is about 1 in 10! A lot more practise is needed.

[@Fluglecheese]

Great video! Do other pros use the same technique as Liam?

[@XYoukaiX]

Funny enough I just watched a Vid where a Chinese professional tried to teach someone the Backhand flip and it was much closer to your technique then to Liams .... he even opened up the racket much more then you did which surprised me a lot. Dan from TTDL actually also made a vid where he is showing the technique like Liam does .... kinda weird that even with professionals there are many different ways of doing it, I guess there is not that one correct / perfect way of doing it.

[@TomLodziak]

Exactly. There are usually multiple ways of playing a particular shot. The trick is to find a technique which you can do consistently and is effective for the level you are playing at. Liam's BH flick is brilliant, but if you only play at a low level, it is not necessary to use such an advanced technique. You can use a far more basic technique (like mine) and it will still be effective.

[@dariuszr6829]

Tom, zrob podobne porównanie dla forehandu

[@sandravandok8638]

Breathwork lots of it - if I see it correctly :-)

[@alexi3183]

It's not the wrist, it's the elbow. Wrist is just relaxed. From the charging position Elbow goes back and down to the body, and that accelerates the wrist. With leverage.

[@احمدعلى-م8ل7ظ]

أرجو منك ترجمه الفيديوهات باللغة العربية

[@kingkong6829]

Will the Pro be able to provide his good backhand even if he uses the racket and the rubbers of the amateur?

[@TomLodziak]

Yes definitely. Liam would be able to play excellent backhand flicks with a very basic table tennis bat as well. It is all in the technique.