Flipping & Pitching....HELP!

Hey guys....I have only been throwing a casting reel for about a year. I have gotten competent with casting them. However I would like some input on flipping and pitching.I have been practicing off my back deck and I can flip about 10-15 ft but I backlash about half the time. Two of my reels have flippin switches (Quantum accurist PT), I assume this is a great help,but can you flip reels without them? I should add that I fished spinning gear for 30 yrs and I can pitch them very well. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
I am interested in proper technique/mechanics ect. Thanks guys :)

I agree with the flippin' switch being worthless. I love quantum reels for flipping, I use the exact same one and it works great. I keep mine on free-spool though, it took some getting used to, but I can get a little more distance out of it. I had the same problem with backlashes when I started, but this is one tech. you can really practice. I spent hours in the yard with a jig. I found most of my backlashes were from trying too hard - that is forcing a little extra distance by adding more upward rod action. I watched a KVD dvd on flipping and it helped alot. He explained the trick is to keep the lure a few inches above the water at all times, instead of making an arc/upswing with the lure. it is a much softer presentation. I can tell you to get good practice in the yard to stand on something (chair, milk-crate) so you are the same distance off the ground as you would be from the water in your boat. I also spent alot of time on the water flipping and trying to get a heavier jig to enter the water without a splash. You have to brake with your thumb just before it touches the water, and then I take my other hand and with one motion peel/pull off about two feet or less of line so that the jig will fall straight down, rather than drift back towards you from a tight line - this really helps in heavy cover.

The longer the rod the Better. I use a 7'8 flipping rod.

junk the flipping switch for sure..don't try to flip a light bait with heavy line.
try different rods,a 7 11 loomis is comfortable for some but you may like a 7ft or 6 10 better.keep the line tight from the time it leaves your hand,if you hold the bait as you pitch,after a while you'll probally not do that as much.
i use a underhanded "flip" with a short amount of line out,sorta like the jimmy
houston spinnerbait cast unless i need it to be spot on then i hold it.if you are close enough to the cover the regular ol flippin style is better and your spool is never disengaged.works real well at ky n barkey in the bushes.