Smash x4 technique: wrist snap and contact point

What this lesson covers

The smash x4 requires precise contact on top of the ball rather than hitting behind it. To facilitate the necessary wrist snap, the coach suggests shifting the grip by moving the pinky finger off the handle. This adjustment allows the wrist to break naturally, creating a hammer-like motion that uses the weight of the racket head to generate the required trajectory. The movement must be completely flat with no spin.

Practice begins one meter from the net with arms extended to isolate the wrist snap. The goal is to let the racket tip drop and snap forward, simulating the action of driving a nail with a hammer. Once the motion is consistent, incorporate a small jump to add downward weight to the ball. The final progression involves receiving lobs at various heights and depths, always ensuring the contact happens in the final meter of the court. Attempting this shot from further back makes it significantly more difficult due to the required height and angle.