http://tt.mainstreet.net/ttoutpost/Forehand_Flip_Time_Boll_or_Cheng_Yinghua.wmv 

(Video Clip - 3.6 Mbtes, Duration 1:26) 

I just watched a Timo Boll Forehand Flip Technique clip which I noticed he was flipping before his foot was planted.

I recalled Cheng instructing me to put my foot down before swinging to have a controlled shot.

Do you think Timo's technique would be improved by planting his foot before swinging?

I saw Timo did plant his foot first on his backhand flip technique video clip.

--Rob

 Reply 

I'm guessing that Boll gets more speed and quickness by contacting the ball before his foot is planted. It's a tradeoff with control, but one a top player might make. It doesn't mean that us mere mortals would want to make the tradeoff.

On the backhand, the wrist provides more of the power, so forward motion isn't needed to the same extent. Also he doesn't have so far to move his feet to hit a backhand flip so he can afford to wait until his foot is planted to flip the ball.

-- Andrew

Reply

Being planted was the old fashioned way of doing it.  Today they get their a little quicker and have more power by doing their flip before their feet are planted.  It's one of the many small changes in the sport today. 

For us, I would say we should lean more towards stability, control, and placement; and let the top 25 in the world worry about being a half-step faster. 

M

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