The backhand flick serve: looking like a low serve, going to the back
What the backhand flick serve is for, how to hit it from the same start as a low serve, and target games to practise it.
What it is for
The backhand flick serve starts like a low serve and sends the shuttle quickly to the back of the court. In the BWF Level 1 Coaches' Manual (2nd edition, 2017, module 7) you use it at the start of the rally, from a defensive or neutral situation, to force the opponent backwards and off balance by making them believe you are going to serve low.
The shuttle must still travel to the diagonally opposite service box, as the laws require. In singles a flick serve can go to the back line. In doubles it must land inside the inner doubles service line. The rules for every serve are in the serve: what makes it legal, and the three serves are compared in three serves: short, flick and high.
Step by step
- Preparation. The stance can vary, but the most common is the racket foot forwards, close to the "T" on the court. For doubles, use a short, relaxed thumb grip. Hold the racket out in front of the body and place the shuttle on it.
- Backswing. Bend the wrist and rotate the forearm slightly, take the racket back a short distance and open the racket face.
- Forward swing. Accelerate the racket head forwards and flick the shuttle out of the hand.
- Follow-through. The momentum of the racket continues the arm rotation.
Practices
- Target without a net. Strike the shuttle from the hand into a target area (a hoop, a bucket) with no net. Make the distance long enough to need a flicking action.
- Team scoring. In small teams, flick into target areas that score by size: one point for a large target, five for a medium one, ten for a small one. After each shot, run to collect the shuttle and go to the back of the queue. Compare your own score, or the team's, after a set time such as three minutes.
- Duel across the net. Two players on opposite sides put a target near the rear service line of their box and take turns with backhand flick serves, counting hits. After a set time such as three minutes, compare scores. Winners move up the hall and losers move down to meet a new opponent.
- Flick-only game. Only backhand flick serves are allowed. You can give two attempts, rotate the servers so everyone serves equally, and have the receiver stand and hold the racket in different ways, so the server must choose where to place the flick (wide, to the centre, and so on).
Hints from the manual
- Make your flick serves look like your low serve, to confuse the opponent.
- In singles, a backhand flick serve can be played with a longer grip and deeper in the court.
Limits
The manual gives no speed, height or distance beyond the lines of the court. Judge your flick by where it lands and whether the receiver is late. Stop if you feel wrist, elbow or shoulder pain, and ask a qualified coach.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.