
Returning a drive shot in badminton is a tricky move, especially for beginners. A drive shot is a flat, quick shot that travels from midcourt to midcourt. It is a strategic move that can be used to catch your opponent off guard and change the pace of a rally. To return a drive shot, you need to maintain control over your racket and go for a soft return shot, aiming the shuttle down either side of your opponent's court. This will throw your opponent off as they would be expecting a hard smash after a flat drive serve. You can also try an aggressive net shot return, where you hold your racket strings parallel to the net and hit the shuttle towards the top of the net. This will force your opponent to rush forward and hit a lift, setting you up for a smash shot later in the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of shot | Flat, quick shot that travels from midcourt to midcourt |
| When to use | When caught in a defensive position or to amp up the pace of the game |
| Grip | Forehand or backhand, depending on the shuttle's location |
| Forehand grip | Similar to a handshake, with fingers wrapped around the handle and pointer finger at the highest point |
| Backhand grip | Thumb flat on the front of the handle, with the rest of the fingers wrapped around the side |
| Preparing your swing | Pull the racket back as soon as your opponent hits their shot |
| Racket position for a forehand shot | Pull the racket up in the air with the elbow pointing forward |
| Racket angle for a forehand shot | 45-degree angle to the ceiling |
| Strategy | Aim for the sides of the opponent's court instead of a hard smash |
| Advanced strategy | Use an aggressive net shot to make the opponent rush forward and hit a lift |
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What You'll Learn
- Forehand grip: fingers wrapped, pointer at the highest point
- Backhand grip: thumb flat, higher than other fingers
- Prepare your swing: pull the racket back as soon as your opponent hits the shot
- Racket face: hold at a 45-degree angle to the ceiling
- Counter-attack: force your opponent to hit an upward return

Forehand grip: fingers wrapped, pointer at the highest point
Returning a drive shot in badminton is a strategic move that can help you catch your opponent off guard and change the pace of a rally. It is a flat, quick shot that travels from midcourt to midcourt. While it is relatively simple, it can be tricky to master.
To return a drive shot with a forehand grip, you must first position your hand in a similar way to a handshake. This means that your fingers should be wrapped around the handle, with your pointer finger at the highest point. There should be a small space between your pointer finger and your middle finger. Your thumb should be placed closer to your third finger to maximise wrist mobility and allow for more powerful shots. This grip is also known as the "handshake grip".
When holding the racket with a forehand grip, your thumb, pointer, and middle finger are primarily responsible for controlling the racket, while your pinky and ring fingers provide light support. It is important to keep your grip loose, especially when you are not hitting the shuttle, as a tight grip can limit your ability to generate control and power in your shots.
Practising switching between different grips is essential for improving your overall performance on the court. You can start with a conditioned routine, such as practising a backhand defensive shot followed by a forehand defensive shot, or a backhand drive followed by a forehand drive. As you advance, you can introduce randomness to your practice, such as having a partner feed shots to different areas of the court, forcing you to make quick grip changes.
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Backhand grip: thumb flat, higher than other fingers
Returning a drive shot in badminton is a strategic move that can be used to catch your opponent off guard and change the pace of the game. It is a flat, quick shot that travels from midcourt to midcourt. While there are several ways to execute a drive shot, this text will focus on the backhand grip with the thumb flat and higher than the other fingers.
The backhand grip is one of the four basic grips in badminton and is an essential skill to master. To execute this grip, place your thumb flat on the front of the racket handle, with the rest of your fingers wrapped around the side. Your thumb should be at a higher point on the handle than your other fingers, forming a V-shape between the thumb and index finger. This grip allows you to make shots across the court more easily and generates power for backhand strokes. It is also useful for many kinds of strokes and can be used to deceive your opponent when combined with other shots.
When executing a drive shot with a backhand grip, it is important to pull your racket back in preparation as soon as you see your opponent hit their shot. This ensures that you are ready to return the shot quickly and efficiently. Additionally, the front of the racket head must constantly be facing the incoming shuttlecock to successfully return it to your opponent's court.
Practicing grip changes is crucial to mastering the backhand grip. One way to improve is to start with a conditioned routine where you switch grips after every shot, such as practising a backhand defensive shot followed by a forehand defensive shot, or a backhand drive followed by a forehand drive. As you advance, make the shots random to simulate game conditions and improve your ability to make quick grip changes.
Remember, the backhand grip with the thumb flat and higher than the other fingers is just one aspect of returning a drive shot in badminton. Other factors, such as footwork, swing technique, and deception, also play a crucial role in executing a successful drive shot.
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Prepare your swing: pull the racket back as soon as your opponent hits the shot
Returning a drive shot in badminton can be challenging, especially for beginners. However, if you can master the technique, it can be a great way to surprise your opponent and gain the upper hand.
To return a drive shot effectively, you must prepare your swing by pulling the racket back as soon as your opponent hits the shot. This step is crucial, as it sets the foundation for your return. Here are some detailed instructions to help you perfect this preparatory phase:
Forehand Grip and Backhand Grip:
The ideal grip depends on whether you're going for a forehand or backhand drive. For a forehand grip, wrap your fingers around the handle with your pointer finger at the highest point, similar to a handshake. On the other hand, a backhand grip involves placing your thumb flat on the front of the handle, with the rest of your fingers wrapped around the side. Your thumb should be at a higher point than your other fingers for this grip.
Pulling the Racket Back:
As soon as you see your opponent make contact with the shuttle, pull your racket back. The specific position depends on whether the bird is flying towards your forehand or backhand side. For a forehand return, pull the racket up in the air with your elbow pointing forward. The racket face should be slightly angled backward, at approximately a 45-degree angle to the ceiling. This positioning ensures you're ready to make an effective return.
Anticipation and Timing:
To execute a successful return, you must anticipate your opponent's shot and time your swing preparation accordingly. Watch your opponent's body language and movement to predict their next move. The moment they make contact with the shuttle, initiate the racket pullback to gain those crucial milliseconds for your return.
Practice and Muscle Memory:
The key to perfecting this preparatory step is to practice repeatedly until it becomes second nature. Muscle memory plays a significant role in badminton. The more you repeat the motion of pulling the racket back, the faster and more instinctive your response will become. Practice with a partner or use a wall to simulate shots, improving your reaction time and swing preparation.
By following these instructions and honing your skills through practice, you'll be well on your way to mastering the art of preparing your swing for a powerful and strategic return of a drive shot in badminton.
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Racket face: hold at a 45-degree angle to the ceiling
Returning a drive shot in badminton is a strategic move that can be used to your advantage in many situations. It is a flat, quick shot that travels from midcourt to midcourt. To execute a drive shot, you must first get into the correct grip. The racket face should be held at a 45-degree angle to the ceiling, with your thumb and index finger forming a V-shape. This grip is crucial for generating power and accuracy in your shots.
The 45-degree angle of the racket face is achieved by starting with a forehand grip and then rotating the racket handle. For the forehand grip, your hand will be in a "'handshake" position on the racket handle, with your thumb wrapped along the edge of your grip and your other four fingers wrapping upwards. Your index finger should be the highest point, and you should maintain a bit of space between your fingers to avoid a tight "U-shape" grip.
Once you have the forehand grip, rotate your racket handle so that your racket face is at a 45-degree angle to the ceiling. This position will allow you to generate more power and speed in your drive shot. This technique is especially useful for late backhand shots, giving you more reach when the shuttle is on your backhand side.
Mastering the 45-degree angle racket face technique will enable you to execute powerful and accurate drive shots in badminton. It is a fundamental skill to practice, as it will form the basis of your offensive gameplay. With a proper grip and racket face angle, you will be able to catch your opponent off guard and take control of the rally.
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Counter-attack: force your opponent to hit an upward return
To counter-attack and force your opponent to hit an upward return, you can use a drive shot. This is a basic flat shot, directly hit over the net. It is a powerful and quick counter-attacking shot that is easy to execute.
To perform a drive shot, you must first get into the correct grip. The forehand grip is similar to a handshake, with your fingers wrapped around the handle and your pointer finger at the highest point. The backhand grip involves placing your thumb flat on the front of the handle, with the rest of your fingers wrapped around the side. In this grip, your thumb should be at a higher point on the handle than your other fingers.
Once you've chosen your grip, prepare your swing. Pull your racket back as soon as you see your opponent hit their shot. If the shuttlecock is flying towards your forehand side, pull your racket up in the air with your elbow pointing forward. The racket face should be slightly bent backward, at a 45-degree angle to the ceiling.
To execute the shot, hold your racket with the head facing straight ahead and lock your wrist as the shuttlecock makes contact with your racket. The aim is to deliver a flat and fast drive to get the shuttlecock behind your opponent, forcing them to make a weak, upward return.
You can also use deception to force your opponent into a weak return. Make your offensive shots look like drive or drop shots until the very last second. This will make it harder for your opponent to react and force them to hit the shuttlecock upwards.
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Frequently asked questions
A drive shot is a flat, quick shot that travels from midcourt to midcourt. It is a strategic move that can be used to catch your opponent off guard and change the pace of a rally.
Returning a drive shot can be tricky, especially for beginners. One strategy is to maintain control over your racket and go for a soft return shot. Your opponent will likely be standing at midcourt, expecting a hard smash, so a soft return shot will throw them off. Try to aim the shuttle down either side of their court.
Other types of shots in badminton include the clear shot, smash, drop shot, lift, net shot, and net kill.





















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