Expert Badminton

You should be fairly well versed with the Intermediate technique before attempting anything in this section.

This page is intended for those who want to increase their ability to competition level, or for those already playing at competition to refresh their memory.

Lesson 1 : Shot Technique

Doubles Service

Backhand Clearing

Net Shots

Smash Returning

Slicing

Backhand Smashing

Lesson 2 : Court Technique

Getting around the court in singles

Getting around the court in doubles

Getting around the court in mixed doubles

Lesson 3 : Shot Placement

Singles

Doubles

Lesson 4 : Tricks

Behind the back

Between the legs

Backward shot

Points to remember

Doubles Service:

Using the backhand to serve short was pioneered by Thai badminton players. These days, everyone uses it. Holding your racket out in front of your stomach, with your right leg forward, hold the shuttle just in front of the racket and sweep through. You may find you achieve more consistency with a forehand serve, so by all means use whatever you feel comfortable with.

Just remember the rules of service when attempting the backhand serve; it's easy to break them.


Yoo Y.S. of Korea serves up. Hope he brings it down a bit, unless his waist is around his armpits!!		Prime example of how to execute the backhand serve, bravo		Koreas's Kim D.M. has the delicate touch...

Backhand clearing:

Backhand clearing is probably the most difficult shot in the game (next to the backhand smash). Many players are unable to backhand-clear, relying on their speed to play around-the-head or rush to the net. The difficulty is in generating enough racket-head speed. Here's the technique (I won't guarantee you'll be able to clear it after reading it, though!):

First you need to position yourself correctly. Stand with your back facing the net; this is important as you need to gear up like a coiled spring, turning your body around quickly to maximise energy transfer. When in position, point your elbow in the air at the shuttle, and cock your wrist. In the next step, timing is crucial. You have to turn your body around till you face the net again, using the forearm technique in reverse to send that shuttle flying. When you make contact the shuttle should be above your right shoulder.

Still can't get any distance? It's because you really only have two sources of power to put into the shot - your forearm/wrist, and your arm. Not to mention the fact that you can't swing your arm back as quickly as you can forward. It's a bit like when you first started out playing, and weren't able to clear the shuttle from one end to the other. By practicing, and perhaps even doing a bit of weight training, you'll eventually get it.

Net shots:

Mia Audina (Netherlands) plays a fast net shot

Net shots should be hit as early as possible, close to the top of the net. Force yourself to play the net shot early, by keeping your racket up around net height and bringing your racket down to take the shot. A great many lazy players come into the net with their racket around their ankles, making contact later than they should. Playing it a split second earlier will pressure your opponent into making a mistake more often than not.

There are in fact, two ways to play net shots. You can hit the shuttle with a low trajectory and slightly higher horizontal speed, which gives your opponent less time but they don't have to run quite as far. The other way is to give the shuttle a higher trajectory, so it lands very close to the net. This is harder to consistently execute, but makes it very difficult for your opponent to return a good shot.

Smash returning:

When you've hit a poor half-court shot, and it looks like you're about to get hammered, stand in the center of the court, a little closer than halfway from the front, with legs shoulder width apart and knees bent. Hold your racket at waist height, at 10 o'clock. Now when the smash comes in, pull your wrist back, and flick turn your forearm, as you return with your backhand.

First, apologies for the crap drawing. The path of your wrist follows the loop indicated. As you pull back, turn your forearm anti-clockwise (right-handers). This is in preparation for the forward movement, where you'll flick your forearm around.

In some cases you will have to switch to a forehand for the return. The range of your backhand is higher than you probably think. You should use backhand to return smashes from anywhere on the left to under your right arm.

As a general rule, return to the back of the court if you can manage, otherwise play safe and drop it short. The last thing you want to do is return half-court and give your opponent another chance to hammer you.

Slicing:

For those who don't know what slicing is, it refers to hitting the shuttle with an angled racket head such that the speed is taken off the shot. It's not as hard as it might seem, it just involves a bit of practice. Slicing is a great way to play fast and slow drops, especially from a forehand cross-court overhead position.

Backhand Smashing:

Smashing with the backhand is not really advisable. If the shuttle is up at half-court, you might as well play around the head. Playing a backhand will only increase your recovery time and reduce your power.

If you absolutely must learn it (probably for the purpose of showing off!), read the backhand clearing section, if you haven't already. If you can clear with your backhand, smashing should be relatively easy to pick up. Jump to get a steeper angle.

Getting around the court in singles:

This tutorial expands slightly on the Intermediate tutorial. I've mentioned large steps to the shuttle, and a big stretch. Now instead of leaping back quickly to the middle, take slower, smaller 'jogging' steps. This saves you energy in case your opponent returns to the same area. It does mean you have less margin for error, and should avoid cross-court drops. A combination of both is obviously the best method; you'll have to make your own judgements.

The idea is to get to the shuttle as early as possible. Fitness and speed drills will help you achieve this. Anticipating your opponent's next move also helps. Sometimes you can work out when your opponent is about to drop, because their arm action is different from their clear.

Getting around the court in doubles:

There are a few basic rules for positioning in doubles. If your side is serving, you begin playing front & back (picture #3 below). If your side's serve is short, you remain front & back; if it's up (served to the back) you play sides. You could possibly make up a 'signal' with your partner to indicate you're hitting it up, and get prepared for a smash.

If your side is receiving the shuttle, and your side returns short, get into a front & back formation. If your side returns high, play sides. If the service is high and your side returns a drop or smash, the other player must come forward to cover the net. Thus, when receiving service, both players should stand close to the front.

During general play, if you are playing front & back, and your side smashes from the back, the net player should come back a little to put away a weak return. If your opponents return high to the backhand corner, usually the player at the front will move back to take the shot (and the player at the back moves to the front). This 'cycling' of play prevents one player from getting too tired. Most importantly, call for the shot - loud and clear. That way you'll avoid collisions and misunderstandings.

If, during general play, you are playing sides (probably returning smashes) and one of you returns it short, the player who made the drop must cover the net. If you return it high continue playing sides.

If the two sides get into a clearing 'contest', there's no point in coming back and forth from sides - front & back. As long as the clear is to the back of the court you only need to move back a step or so (see the guy on the left, picture #1 below).

It's quite intuitive; once you practice it should be easy enough to pick up.


These boys are in the front & back position, because they are attacking. Should the shuttle be lifted, they will assume a side-by-side position.		This is a good example of doubles players on defence. Notice their low position, knees bent, rackets ready.

Getting around the court in mixed doubles:

In mixed doubles, the female plays at the front and the male plays at the back. This is only true if the male is stronger, of course (in which case the game will be played like a doubles match). The rules for switching between front & back and sides is the same as for doubles; the female should come back to return smashes if the shuttle is hit up. However, she should come back to the diagonally opposite side to where the shuttle was lifted - this will make it easier for her to return the opposing male's smash. The woman whose partner is smashing should stand at the front, slightly back to put away weak returns (see picture #2).

If the female is especially weak, the players will probably wish to stay front & back for the whole game.


Danes Jonas Rasmussen and Rikke Olsen prepare to serve...		... and the Koreans are ready to receive.

Singles:

To prevent your opponent from guessing what you're going to do, you need to use deception. Delay your stroke until the last moment - the forearm technique should allow you to do this. By lifting your elbow and waiting for the shuttle, you can use your peripheral vision to watch your opponent before snapping a clear or fast drop. Do the same when at the net - hold your racket in front, feigning a drop. When your opponent runs in, snap it over their head.

If you want to go a step further, study your opponent before the match. Watch some of their other matches and observe their weakness and strengths. Draw out a game plan, and stick to it.

Sometimes you can gain a psychological victory over your opponent, by frustrating them. Take advantage of their lack of patience, break their spirit and the game will get a lot easier.

Doubles:

Strictly speaking, a perfect game in doubles would result in no lifting by your side. Every shot you made would either be a drop, smash, or sideline drive. You'd never give your opponents anything. Of course in reality, your placement probably won't be quite so perfect. However, you should try to play the perfect game.

When receiving service, attack the low serve. Aim at the back player's body, or towards the sidelines at half-court. Do this for both doubles and mixed doubles. This area is between both front and rear player, and will cause confusion.

In mixed, if the woman is weak you should serve it high to get the man at the front, or force her to return it high.

If your opponents are playing sides (because they've just hit it up), smash it between them. If one is left-handed, it's a great cause for mixup. You could also try dropping it dead centre at the net.

If you're playing people who don't know the doubles technique, when they hit it up smash it down the sidelines (wide court makes it hard to return) or straight down the middle. Chances are they will still be playing front & back. Hitting it down the middle may 'blind' the back player (he can't see through his front player).


Smashing down the sidelines or centre is an effective strategy		Keep your shots low to retain the upper hand in attack

Behind the back:

This is done by playing what normally be a low backhand shot, with your forehand. This is a pretty easy shot, it just takes a bit of practice to work out where the shuttle should be so you can make contact. It is actually useful in a game, when you're defending smashes and expecting a forehand.

Between the legs:

This is good if you're defending smashes and expecting a forehand smash, but it comes down in front of you. You should really only attempt it if you're tall enough or you could end up with sore some legs. Be careful not to misjudge the height of the smash too - the last thing you want is a crippling injury that could end your badminton career (ok, so I exaggerate slightly).

Backward shot:

To do this, run with your back to the net. Chase the shuttle so it falls over your right shoulder (right-handers). When it falls below knee-height swing, back. Hopefully you'll get it over the net! Sometimes useful if you're stuck at the net and your opponent hits a low drive over your head.

Try to use the weight of your body to get more power in your backhands

Use the 'loop' to return smashes with your backhand

Get to the shuttle as early as possible

In singles, return to your base by jogging back

Practice and remember the doubles formations

Use deception in all your shots to keep your opponent guessing

Avoid hitting the shuttle up in doubles or mixed doubles

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