Mari Humberg made headlines in Major League Pickleball this past season as a member of the New Jersey 5s.

She helped her team reach the Premier Finals with her backhand flicks that often stunned opponents. 

This shot is a beauty that deserves to be studied and imitated by players of all levels looking for a real advantage on the court.

Pickleball content creator and player Ed Ju recently featured Humberg in a tutorial video to showcase the fundamentals of her signature shot.

First, she discusses the grip.

“I recommend the continental grip or the handshake grip,” explained Humberg. 

Then, it's time to start hitting. 

“You’ve got to hit the ball up and the spin will bring it back down. The misconception is that people want to hit hard, but you don’t have to hit a flick hard,” she said.

Even though her flicks typically look speedy on the broadcast, the shot isn't really fast.

“They’re not hard shots, they’re just placed in positions that are uncomfortable. Think less power, more control and dip,” mentioned Humberg.

Humberg aims at her opponent’s right or left hip to achieve the desired result. 

“The problem is that if you aim your flick at your opponent’s shoulders, your opponent will counter with a shot that’s going to be high to low. I’d rather have less speed and less height than more speed and more height. You don’t need pace. So, slow it down and try to spin it more,” she advised.

Balance and standing in the proper position are also critical for beginners learning the flick.

“Be well-balanced and well-established in both feet,” said Humberg. “My priority is to get the ball down rather than powerful, because if I give it power, it’s going to come back so fast, which isn’t what I want. Instead, I want the ball to pop up or be a winner for the next one.”

Ju shared with Humberg that when he hits a flick, opponents will eventually get used to the shot and it’ll come right back. 

“That’s okay,” she countered. “The intention of an attack is not to hit a winner. The intention of an attack is to set up for the second.”

“As you get to a higher level, you cannot expect your attacks to ever be a winner. The ball is going to come back. Watch any professional match and almost every single attack is to set up for the next one. We need to get out of the mentality that ‘I want to hit this really hard and put it away on the first try,’ because the odds are so small. You’ve got to set up for the next ball, so I do a backhand flick, and then I slide to hit a forehand,” added Humberg. “People think I’m hitting a fast ball. I’m not. It’s just well-placed, well-timed, and well thought out. Get the idea out of your head that the flick is a winner.”

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