Hayden Patriquin & Will Howells Teach Me the Backhand Flick
Ever watch a pro pickleball player flick a ball past their opponent like a magician pulling off a card trick? That’s the backhand flick, and if you’re not using it yet, you’re missing out on a serious weapon.
I got the chance to sit down (well, stand and get absolutely schooled) with Hayden Patriquin and Will Howells, two absolute studs who know how to make the backhand flick look effortless. They broke it down step-by-step, so now it’s your turn to learn it.
Let’s get into it.
When to Use the Backhand Flick
Before you start whipping your paddle around, let’s talk strategy.
A flick isn’t just something you throw out randomly—it’s a response to an opportunity.
You’ve hit a solid pressure dink that pushes your opponent back.
They give you a pop-up (even just slightly).
You’re leaning in, ready to attack.
You don’t want to flick off a dead dink—you’re looking for something you can take advantage of, where you can get your paddle on top of the ball and snap it down.
How to Hit the Flick (Step-by-Step)
Hayden and Will have slightly different flick styles, but the basics are the same. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: The Setup
If the ball is higher, keep your knuckles squared to the net and your paddle flat.
If the ball is lower, tilt your paddle tip down to create more spin.
Step 2: The Motion
NO takeback. This isn’t a full swing—it’s a quick, compact snap.
Keep your wrist stable, and flick through the ball using a short, controlled motion.
If the ball is higher, snap down to drive it into the court.
If the ball is lower, brush around it to create shape and spin.
Step 3: Choosing Where to Hit It
If your opponent loves their backhand counter, aim for their right shoulder—it’s awkward to return.
If they’re forehand dominant, go for their right hip or pull them out wide.
For higher balls, don’t overthink placement—just hit it hard and let them deal with it.
Footwork: Get in Position to Flick
Good footwork = good flicks.
If you’re hitting low, bend your knees and stay balanced.
If you’re reaching, make sure your feet angle toward your target so your whole body is engaged.
The pros make this look easy, but positioning is everything. You can’t flick effectively if you’re off balance.
Flick vs. Poke: What’s the Difference?
A lot of players poke at the ball instead of flicking it. What’s the difference?
A poke is just slapping the ball forward—no shape, no spin, just brute force.
A flick has topspin and control, making it way harder for your opponent to counter.
If you’re just poking the ball, it’s not a weapon—it’s just a hit. You want that nice, shaped flick that dives down into the court after clearing the net.
How to Counter the Flick
Now, let’s say you’re on the wrong end of the flick—what do you do?
Rule #1: STOP JUMPING.
Jumping just throws off your timing and makes it harder to react. Hayden made that very clear:
“It’s just a wiffle ball. If you get hit, you get hit.”
Instead, stay planted and keep your paddle steady. A solid, compact counter is your best defense.
Final Recap (TL;DR)
1️⃣ Use the flick when you get a pop-up off an aggressive dink.
2️⃣ For high balls, keep your knuckles square and snap through.
3️⃣ For low balls, tilt your paddle tip down and brush around the ball for spin.
4️⃣ Choose your target wisely—right shoulder, right hip, or crosscourt depending on your opponent.
5️⃣ Don’t poke, flick—get that top spin so the ball dives down into the court.
6️⃣ Stop jumping when countering. Stay balanced and ready.
Want to see this in action? Check out the full video and watch Hayden and Will put on a clinic. Then go practice and start dropping flick winners on your unsuspecting pickleball buddies.
See you on the courts!
🔥 Follow Hayden and Will on Instagram:
📲 @hayden_patriquin
📲 @willhowellspb