Hit ’em with the Perfect Flick Without Warning
Spruce up your soft game with an offensive shift to the Flick shot.
What Is a Flick in Pickleball?
It might seem laid-back, but play it right and the Flick is a deceptively fast and tricky way to score
The flick is a quick, wrist-driven shot typically executed at the kitchen line to surprise your opponent during a soft dink exchange. It transforms a calm rally into an attacking opportunity, catching your opponent off-balance and unprepared for speed.
It’s typically performed off a dink or a short ball and its target is the opponent’s body or feet.
When You Should Use a Flick Shot in Pickleball
Turn What Looks Like a Defensive shot into a Sudden Offensive shot in these scenarios
- Use the flick when you are engaged in a dink rally with the opponent leaning forward.
- Use it against an opponent with a lowered paddle or a pretty passive posture at the moment of your attack.
- Use it when you see an opening that calls for a paddle-side hip or chest attack and when you can mix it in without making yourself predictable.
Common Mistake
Telegraphing the Flick
When players know the shot is coming, it loses its effectiveness.Some players telegraph the shot by raising their paddle or tensing up before the flick. Keep your posture and paddle position the same as for a normal dink shot. The flick should look the same through most of its motion until the last split-second wrist flick gives it the suprise that makes it a winner.
Overusing the Flick
When you have something good, do not overuse it, or it may become expected.If you try to flick, got good at it, but use it too often, you may lose the power and control over the flick. Aim to use all your tools. When you try to flick too many times, you may lose your timing.
Losing Paddle Control
Errors occur when fast motion lacks form.Flicking too aggressively or with a poor grip causes mishits. To avoid this, keep a relaxed but firm grip, and maintain a short motion. Let your wrist and forearm do the work; do not overswing or wind up.
Executing a Proper Flick
Velocity + surprise + control
- Start in a dinking stance at the kitchen line.
- Maintain the paddle low and loose during the rally.
- Gauge your rival’s placement and identify an opening.
- Utilize a sudden upward wrist action to “flick” the paddle face under the ball.
- Snap the paddle forward with a short, compact swing.
- Direct your shot toward your opponent’s body or feet with a low, flat trajectory.
- Recover back into a ready position to block or counter.
Strategy: Where to Aim Your Flicks
Placement is more important than power
- Body shots jam your opponent and the hardest returns to make.
- Flick low to the feet and your opponent will find it nearly impossible to send the ball back without popping it up.
- Flick wide to the sideline and your opponent will be trying to hit their shot off to the side of the court.
If you fail to bring your paddle back after your flick, you might not be ready for your opponent’s counter shot. Always expect a fast response from your opponent.
Flick Shot Improvement Drills
Drills to build speed, disguise, and recovery
- Dink and Flick Drill: Alternate between dinks and flicks with a partner.
- Flick Target Practice: Aim flicks at cones placed around the body and feet.
- Disguise Drill: Before hitting the ball, your partner guesses whether you’ll dink or flick.
- Quick Recovery Drill: Practice flicking, then instantly go into a blocking stance.
