In previous articles I have explained why it’s not necessary for local league players to have ‘perfect’ technique. Sure, if you want to make it to pro level, your technique needs to be damn good. But for most adult players, with more modest aims, aspiring to play with the same speed, spin and intensity of a pro player is almost always out of reach and can potentially make you worse. You can read my previous articles on this topic here and here.
To build on this discussion, I want to talk about a concept I use in my coaching sessions called ‘useable technique’.
The idea is to develop technique – which might not be world class – but is highly consistent and useable in match situations, when everything is very random and there is an increased amount of pressure.
The useless backhand flick
Let’s take the example of a not-to-be named player I know (it’s not someone I coach). He has been working hard to develop an outstanding backhand flick. He wants it to be really fast and really spinny – like the pro players. He wants people to look on in awe at his amazing shot.
In a training environment – when he gets the right ball, in the right position, with the right level of backspin, he can execute an amazing backhand flick. The ball goes like a rocket. A clean winner. When he nails it, it’s certainly edging towards pro level standard.
But, he misses a lot too. If the incoming ball is a little shorter or a little longer or a little wider, his consistency drops. If the spin is heavier backspin, his consistency drops even more. If his timing is slightly too early or too late, it goes wrong. If the bat angle is slightly too open or closed, it goes wrong. If the contact is slightly too thick, it goes wrong. He’s trying to use so much wrist and acceleration – any slight defect in technique and the ball ends up in the net or flying off the end of the table.
Since he has low consistency when playing this backhand flick, he never uses it in an actual match. When the pressure is on, and his opponent’s serve is low with decent backspin, he doesn’t use this incredible backhand flick, in case he messes up. Instead he will push.
He has developed an inconsistent replica of a pro backhand flick technique, which he never dares to use in a match. So in reality, he has no backhand flick at all.
A ‘useable’ alternative
Here’s the thing … at amateur level, in local leagues and tournaments, you don’t need a pro level backhand flick. A very basic backhand flick is usually very effective too. This is where the concept of ‘useable technique’ comes in. For the players I coach, I much prefer them to have shots which they actually use.
Let’s continue the example of a backhand flick. What would a ‘useable’ backhand flick technique be like? Well, it wouldn’t be as fast – maybe 50% the speed of a pro player. It wouldn’t have as much spin – maybe 50% the spin of a pro player. You would use some wrist, but not as much as a pro player. It would be a positive shot, but nowhere near as aggressive as a pro player.
In short, it would be a much more basic backhand flick, but something which is much easier to execute consistently. It could be used against lighter backspin and heavier backspin. It can be used when the serve is shorter or a little longer. It is easier to use, even when there is lots of pressure in a tight match situation. This is the definition of highly ‘useable technique’.
But is it any good? At the pro level, no. At the amateur level – where 99.9% of us play – yes, a basic backhand flick is still likely to be effective, especially if the shot is placed well. I have won many points over the years with a 50% speed backhand flick aimed towards my opponent’s crossover position. My backhand flick is not spectacular. It’s certainly nowhere near pro level. But it gets the job done. And unlike my friend, I actually use the shot in matches.
The benefits of ‘useable technique’
Which is better? The player with inconsistent pro level backhand flick technique, who never dares use the shot? Or the player with a basic, but highly useable backhand flick technique, who is confident of using the shot all the time?
For me, it’s obvious. The latter is a far better option for any player at the amateur level. It’s always better to have a shot you will actually use, compared to a shot you never dare use.
And there is another benefit to this approach of developing ‘useable technique’. Once the foundations are in place – and you have confidence in using a particular shot – it’s quite easy to develop the shot further.
For the backhand flick, it’s not a huge step to add a little more wrist and increase speed and spin from 50% to 60% to 70%. Eventually you end up with a backhand flick technique which is really quite decent, highly consistent and useable in match situations, even when there is a lot of pressure.
I have used the example of the backhand flick in this article, but the concept of ‘useable technique’ can be applied to any shot – topspin, push, block, smash, etc.
As I have argued in previous articles, there is nothing wrong with learning from pro players. We can all pick up important tips about stroke mechanics and body movements . But unless you have time to train like a pro, to reproduce what they do with high consistency is almost impossible. It is much better to focus on developing good quality useable technique, which is consistent and capable of winning points, and you actually have confidence to use in matches.
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