Learn Mari Humberg's Backhand Flick

If you've watched the PPA over the last few years, you've probably noticed Mari Humberg's signature backhand flick. At a time when almost every woman relied on a two-handed backhand speed up, Mari was one of the first to consistently attack with a one-handed backhand flick.

It caught the women's field by surprise and quickly became one of her biggest weapons.

Here are the three keys she shared with me:

1. Start with your paddle tip down.
Keeping your paddle tip low disguises your intentions. From the exact same setup, you can flick down the line, attack through the middle, or go cross-court, making it much harder for your opponent to anticipate where the ball is going.

2. Generate speed with your wrist, not your shoulder.
This shot is driven primarily by a quick wrist snap. Accelerate aggressively through the ball to create heavy topspin. That spin allows you to hit with confidence and pace while still bringing the ball back down into the court.

3. Think of it as a one-two punch.
The backhand flick isn't always meant to win the point outright. More often, it's the setup shot that creates a weak reply. Expect the next ball, stay aggressive, and be ready to finish the point on your following shot.

Master these three concepts, and you'll have one of the most deceptive and effective speed-ups in pickleball!

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Till next week,

-Tanner