Kick smash technique: grip and contact point

What this lesson covers

The kick smash requires a continental or backhand grip to allow for necessary wrist pronation. Players using an eastern forehand grip cannot generate the required spin and should transition to a grip where the knuckles are rotated upward to close the racket face. A loose, lower grip on the handle provides more freedom for the wrist to create the side-spinning action.

Successful contact occurs behind the body, specifically on the right side of the clock if imagining the ball at twelve o'clock. This position forces the ball to bounce upward and sideways rather than forward. To achieve this, the player must arch the back, similar to a limbo movement, and aim for the side wall near the screws. Preparation involves a double ninety-degree angle at the elbow and shoulder, followed by a vertical swing path. Jumping as the racket faces downward adds power to the shot. This progression is best suited for players moving from a flat smash to a kick smash.