Andrew Pace
The backhand clear is one of the toughest shots in badminton and is often the one stroke that players want to improve upon. It is a defensive shot, usually played when a player is not in a position to play a forehand shot. The key to a good backhand clear is to have the correct technique, a relaxed arm and grip, and good footwork. This allows you to generate more power and play the shot over and over again without getting tired.
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What You'll Learn
Footwork: Get behind the shuttle for powerful shots
Footwork is a fundamental aspect of badminton, and mastering it will help you get behind the shuttle for powerful shots. Here are some tips to improve your footwork and positioning:
Firstly, always aim to be in a ready position so you can respond quickly when your opponent hits the shuttle. Stay on your toes and keep your feet moving to react faster and get behind the shuttle. Your footwork starts as soon as your opponent hits the shuttle. Perform a split step, and then a chassé with your non-racket leg leading, followed by a pivot to face backward. The size of your chassé step will depend on your height and distance from the shuttle.
To improve your positioning, use your offhand to gauge the height, trajectory, and angle of the shuttle. Ideally, you want to hit the shuttle when your offhand is at a 10 o'clock angle, which indicates that you are behind the shuttle enough for an effective shot.
You can also practice shuttle feeding drills with a coach or partner. Start by practicing footwork drills without the shuttle, then move on to shot drills where you combine footwork and shot practice. Stand at the rear and have your partner lift the shuttle high in your direction, then perform smashes, lobs, or drops. Finally, combine both footwork and shot drills by moving from the centre to a corner and performing the relevant shot.
Additionally, when the shuttle is high and slow, take a step back to ensure it falls half a meter in front of you. This will allow you to hit it at an optimal angle and generate more power.
By focusing on your footwork and practicing drills, you will improve your positioning and be able to execute powerful shots by getting behind the shuttle.
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Body positioning: Avoid being too close or far from the shuttle
Body positioning is crucial when executing a backhand clear in badminton. One common mistake is being either too close or too far from the shuttle at the point of contact. If you're too close, your ability to generate power decreases significantly as your arm, shoulder, and body are too tucked in, restricting optimal rotation. On the other hand, being too far away with a fully extended arm results in less control over your racket swing and a poorer shot.
The ideal body position is similar to throwing a punch in boxing. You want to maintain a slight bend in your arm upon contact with the shuttle. This position allows for both power and control. To achieve this, adjust your stance by taking a stride towards the corner of the court, anticipating the shuttle's trajectory. This adjustment will help you maintain the optimal distance from the shuttle.
Additionally, keep your core tight and knees slightly bent to maintain stability and balance. Ensure your eyes are focused on the shuttle, but remain aware of your opponent's position. The timing of your shot is critical; being slightly early or late can significantly impact the quality of your shot.
The backhand clear is a challenging skill to master, and practice is key. Drilling the correct body positioning will help you execute precise and powerful shots during intense matches. Remember to maintain a relaxed grip and arm, and focus on generating power through forearm rotation and body rotation, rather than solely relying on your wrist.
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Grip: Use the bevel grip for backhand clears
To execute a backhand clear in badminton, you need to master the correct technique, footwork, body positioning, and grip. This answer will focus on the bevel grip, one of the essential grips in badminton, and how it can be used for backhand clears.
The bevel grip is primarily used for backhand shots in the rear court, such as clears or drop shots. It is also useful for serves and some forehand shots, reducing the need to switch grips frequently. To transition into the bevel grip from a backhand grip, move your racket head so the strings are diagonal, and your thumb rests on the bevel or ridge. For right-handed players, this movement is anti-clockwise, and for left-handed players, it is clockwise.
The bevel grip is particularly useful for backhand defensive shots. It is worth noting that the thumb grip, where the thumb is on top, is generally considered a more powerful option for backhand clears as it allows the player to apply more force. However, the bevel grip is a good choice for advanced players who want to avoid switching grips and prefer a more modern technique.
When playing a backhand clear, it is crucial to maintain a relaxed arm and grip. This relaxation allows for greater power generation as you can squeeze the grip more when striking the shuttle. Additionally, ensure that your footwork and positioning are consistent across different shots, including clears, drops, and smashes. This consistency will prevent your opponent from predicting your shot and adjusting their position accordingly.
In summary, the bevel grip is a valuable technique for backhand clears in badminton, especially for advanced players who want to minimize grip adjustments. While it may not offer the same power as the thumb grip, it provides a modern alternative that can be effective in certain situations, particularly when playing defensive shots.
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Wrist action: Generate power with a flick of the wrist
The backhand clear is one of the toughest shots to play in badminton. It is a stroke that should only be used when you are forced to, when you cannot get into position in time for a forehand stroke. To execute a powerful backhand clear, the wrist action is key.
The wrist action in a backhand clear is similar to the motion of flicking a towel. The power comes from the pull-back action, not the flick. This means pointing your elbow towards the shuttle, which is your pivot point. You then throw your racket at the shuttle and tap as you hit. It is important not to extend your arm fully with this shot. The wrist flick is often combined with forearm pronation to gain extra racket head speed.
A common mistake is throwing your whole arm at the shuttle with a big follow-through. This technique lacks power and direction. Instead, the wrist should be relaxed, with the thumb placed diagonally across the grip or on the 'bevel' of the grip. The racket preparation should be in the form of a loop action, where the racket head goes over the hand, around and down before accelerating upwards in a 'whip' or 'swoosh' action.
The racket leg should make contact with the ground just before you strike the shuttle. This allows you to alter your position until the last second and use the force of your step and landing to generate more power.
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When to use: Opt for a backhand clear when a forehand shot is not possible
Opt for a backhand clear when a forehand shot is not possible. This is because, with a forehand shot, you have a greater variety of shots available to you, and you will likely be able to hit more consistent shots.
Smart opponents will try to force you to use your backhand by hitting the shuttle towards your backhand area. This is a difficult shot to play, as the shuttle is struck behind the body, and it is harder to generate power. If you are unable to get into position in time for a forehand stroke, you will need to use a backhand clear.
The backhand clear is a defensive shot, and it is important to get the technique right before trying to improve your power. You should aim to keep the shuttle on your strings for longer than with a smash and clear, and you can let it drop to a more comfortable hitting height. This will allow you to get out of trouble and reset the rally.
To prepare for a backhand clear, perform a split step, followed by a chasse with your non-racket leg leading. Then, pivot on this leg so you are facing backwards. As with any shot, you want to get behind the shuttle first, giving you the space and time to play a more powerful shot.
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Frequently asked questions
A backhand clear is a type of badminton shot that is usually played when a player is not in a position to play a forehand shot. It is considered one of the toughest shots in badminton.
You should use a backhand clear when your opponent clears the shuttle to your backhand area and you cannot get into position in time for a forehand stroke.
The bevel grip is the correct grip to use for a backhand clear. The thumb grip, which is often associated with backhand shots, does not allow your wrist to move freely and could lead to injury.
Start with a split step to give you initial momentum, then perform a chasse (led by your non-racket leg) to move towards the shuttle. The size of your chasse step will depend on your height and distance from the shuttle.
