Andrew Pace
Badminton is a racquet sport played with a shuttlecock, which, unlike the balls used in tennis or table tennis, cannot spin on its horizontal axis and therefore cannot have a curved trajectory. This means that the shuttlecock must pass over the net, except when an opponent returns it. When hitting the shuttlecock, it is important to aim high and increase your elevation. You should also be mindful of when to smash the shuttlecock—for example, when facing a high clear, the shuttlecock will drop faster. It is also beneficial to play with stronger opponents to boost your skills and gain experience in a friendly environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of game | Singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side) |
| Scoring | Points are scored by landing the shuttlecock within the other team's half of the court, within set boundaries |
| Number of strikes | Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net |
| Shuttlecock | A feathered or (in informal matches) plastic projectile |
| Serve | The shuttlecock must be hit from below the waist and must pass over the short service line on the opponents' court |
| Fault | If the shuttlecock fails to pass over the net or lands outside the boundary of the court |
| Strokes | Basic strokes include the clear shot, drive shot, smash, drop, and spinning shots, lifts and net kills |
| Grip | Forehand strokes are hit with the front of the hand leading, backhand strokes are hit with the back of the hand leading |
| Hitting the shuttlecock | Move towards the shuttlecock and hit it early and downwards |
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What You'll Learn
The different types of badminton shots: clear, smash, drop, and drive
Badminton is a fast-paced game that requires a lot of skill and technique. There are several types of shots in badminton, each with its own strategic purpose and advantage. The four main types of badminton shots are clear, smash, drop, and drive.
The clear shot is one of the easiest badminton techniques to master. It is also known as lobbing and is considered the most important shot in a singles game. Beginners should aim to master the defensive clear shot to play longer rallies against their opponents.
The smash is considered the most powerful shot in badminton and is usually played on the forehand. It is often difficult to return because of its pace and downward angle. It is best used when the shuttle is high in the air so that it can be angled downwards. When the shuttle is at its highest point, with a flick of the wrist, aim the shuttle downwards towards the farthest spots on the court or towards your opponent's upper torso, making it hard for them to defend.
The drop shot is a strategic shot used to deceive your opponent and catch them off guard. It is executed with minimal force to gently push the shuttle over the net. This shot is useful when your opponent is near the backcourt, anticipating a clear or drive shot. A drop shot can be slow or fast, with the latter causing the shuttle to land in your opponent's midcourt, preferably by the sides, to catch them off balance.
The drive shot is a basic flat shot that is hit directly over the net. It is a powerful and quick counter-attacking shot that is easy to execute and is commonly used in doubles games to keep the shuttle low. The drive shot can be played on both the forehand and backhand. To execute, the racket should be held straight ahead, locking the wrist as the shuttle makes contact. The aim is to deliver a flat and fast drive that gets behind your opponent, resulting in a weak return.
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How to hit a badminton smash
To hit a powerful badminton smash, there are several techniques you can employ. Firstly, ensure you are standing with your feet about shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. As the shuttlecock approaches, position yourself behind it and get underneath it as quickly as possible. This will give you more time to react and set up a powerful smash.
Hold the racket in a forehand grip, with your hand at the bottom of the grip handle. This creates a longer lever, helping you to generate more power. Keep your grip loose and your body relaxed until the last moment before impact. This will help you to create extra speed with the racket.
As you make contact with the shuttlecock, snap your wrist in a quick, flicking motion. This will help you to accelerate your hit and generate more power. It is important to remember that you want to hit the shuttlecock "fast" rather than "hard". Focus on generating racquet-head speed by rotating your hips, torso, and shoulders, and transferring your body weight forward into the shuttlecock.
There are different types of smashes, such as the forehand, jumping, and backhand. Each player's build is unique, so the technique for each type of smash will vary slightly from person to person. However, the key to a successful smash is often preparation and technique, rather than just physical strength.
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How to hit a badminton drive
To hit a badminton drive, you need to start with the right preparation and grip. The drop shot is a strategic move that can deceive your opponent into thinking you're about to execute a drive shot. It is best used when your opponent is near the backcourt, with the aim of getting the shuttlecock to just drop over the net.
To perform the drop shot, begin with a sideways stance, with the racket foot towards the rear of the court. Extend the racket arm and raise the non-racket arm to point at the shuttlecock. Make contact with the top of the shuttlecock, and follow through without too much of a powerful snap of the wrist.
The forehand drive is hit with the front of the hand leading (like hitting with the palm). It is a powerful shot that travels relatively flat and is used to make your opponent lift or push them back to the back of the court. The backhand drive is hit with the knuckles, and is a more defensive shot, used to return a shot that has been hit to your backhand corner.
In the forecourt and midcourt, most strokes can be played equally effectively on either the forehand or backhand side. However, in the rear court, players will attempt to play as many strokes as possible on their forehands, often opting for a round-the-head forehand overhead rather than a backhand.
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How to hit a badminton clear shot
The clear shot is one of the easiest badminton techniques to execute and is a great way to buy yourself some time to regain your position. It is a fundamental stroke that sends the shuttlecock high in the air and deep into the opponent's court.
To execute an excellent defensive clear shot, aim to hit the centre of the racquet head. This stroke is used when your opponent is in the back court, expecting a clear shot or a drive. It is also used when you need time to get back to your base before the next return or if you don't have a clear opportunity to win the point.
The offensive clear shot is another type of clear shot that is flatter than the defensive clear. This shot is used to baffle your opponent, especially when they are expecting a different shot. It is treated like a sneaky technique that can end rallies before anyone knows what hit them.
While the clear shot is a great way to reset a rally, it can also be used to set up an attacking combo. Once you've used the clear shot to gain some time, you can direct your opponent's position on the court and plan your next strike.
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How to hit the shuttlecock for speed
To hit the shuttlecock for speed, you need to master the badminton smash—the most aggressive shot in the sport. The world's fastest badminton smash was recorded at 332kph (206mph) by Fu Haifeng in 2005, although faster speeds of over 400kph have been recorded unofficially.
To execute a powerful smash, you need to be behind the shuttlecock, with your racket held at the bottom of the grip handle in a forehand grip. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with your knees slightly bent, and your body relaxed. As you rotate your torso, keep your elbow back, delaying the forward movement of your arm. This will result in a more powerful shot.
Just before impact, flick your wrist to generate extra speed, hitting the shuttlecock at the highest point possible. The shuttlecock should hit the centre of the racket, with the racket facing downward, and your arm and racket outstretched.
To increase the power of your smash, engage your core and jump off the court as you hit. This will increase the power of your stroke without you having to try and hit harder.
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Frequently asked questions
To hit the shuttlecock with power, also known as a smash, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Hold your racket upright and as far back as possible, then swing to connect with the shuttlecock at its highest point. To increase power, contract your abs as you swing and snap your wrist downward.
There are several types of badminton shots, including the smash, drive, net, and flick. The drive shot is a fast and flat shot that is used to keep your opponent on their toes. The net shot is a soft shot close to the net that is used to surprise your opponent. The flick shot is used to catch your opponent off guard by hitting the shuttlecock softly with a quick wrist action, resulting in a steep angle.
The sweet spot in badminton is the zone on the racquet strings that produces the best sound and feeling, generates the most power, and transmits minimal vibration to the racquet. It is usually located in the middle top third of the racquet head, slightly higher than the middle of the strings. To hit the sweet spot, practice hitting with a controlled and smooth stroke.
