Amanda Knapp
The overhead clear is a fundamental shot in badminton and is often one of the first shots beginners learn. It is a defensive shot that allows a player to push their opponent back to their rear court and is also used to buy time and recover during a rally. The overhead clear is a powerful shot that requires a combination of body weight transfer and arm rotation. This shot can be taught through a series of drills, such as the lift-clear-drop drill, which helps players simulate using the overhead clear in a real rally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grip | Relaxed forehand grip, aka the handshake grip |
| Arm position | Point non-racket arm towards shuttle, pull racket arm back, elbow bent at 90 degrees |
| Movement | Push up with legs, rotate hips, torso and shoulders, swing racket in a throwing motion |
| Contact | High, above the head |
| Power | Use body weight transfer, tighten grip, contract abs |
| Height | Varies, but should be high enough to be safe |
| Purpose | Defensive, to push opponent to rear court, gain time to recover |
| Drills | Lift-clear-drop, multishuttle |
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What You'll Learn
The overhead clear is a defensive shot
The overhead clear is a fundamental shot in badminton. It is a defensive shot that allows a player to buy time and
When attempting to hit an overhead clear, you need to make high contact with the shuttle above your head. You should use the proper amount of force to send the shuttle to the back third of the court. A defensive clear sends the shuttle high and deep, while an attacking clear keeps the trajectory of the shuttle lower, giving your opponent less time. The height of a clear is a balance between attack and defence. If your clear is too shallow, your opponent can jump up to intercept it. If your clear is very high, your opponent has plenty of time to get back and is not under any movement pressure.
To start an overhead clear, use a relaxed forehand grip, also known as the handshake grip. As you load up to hit your clear, point your non-racket arm up toward the shuttle and pull your racket arm back, bending your elbow at about a 90-degree angle. If the shuttle is high above your head, use a simple jump or scissor kick to reach it. Push up with your legs, rotate your hips, and finally your torso and shoulders as you swing your racket in a throwing motion. This chain of energy will help generate power. As you swing, be sure to lead with your elbow and tighten your grip. Aim to make contact with the shuttle high in the air and slightly in front of you.
Beginners should learn how to hit clears first before learning other shots. Once you understand the mechanics of the overhead clear, the lift-clear-drop drill can help you simulate using it in a real rally. Stand across from a partner in your midcourt. Have your partner lift the shuttle into the forehand side of your backcourt. Use proper footwork to make your way behind the shuttle, and clear it back to your partner.
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Use a relaxed forehand grip
To perform an overhead clear in badminton, you must start with a relaxed forehand grip, also known as the handshake grip. This grip is fundamental to the shot as it sets the tone for the rest of the technique. Here is a detailed breakdown of how to execute the relaxed forehand grip:
Firstly, it is important to understand the purpose of the overhead clear. It is a defensive shot used to gain time to recover by pushing your opponent towards their rear court. It is also used to expose court space near the net, allowing you to follow up with a drop shot or net shot. Knowing the purpose of the shot will help you understand why the relaxed grip is important.
When preparing to hit the shuttlecock, point your non-racket arm towards it and pull your racket arm back. Your elbow should be bent at a 90-degree angle. This position allows you to generate power while maintaining control with the relaxed grip. If the shuttlecock is high, you can use a simple jump or scissor kick to reach it, pushing up with your legs and rotating your hips, torso, and shoulders.
As you swing your racket in a throwing motion, be sure to lead with your elbow. This is when you tighten your grip. A relaxed grip in the preparation phase allows you to generate power through your body movement and transfer this power to the shuttlecock. A tight grip throughout the swing would restrict your power and limit your ability to control the direction of the shuttlecock.
The timing of the grip is crucial. You want to maintain a relaxed grip until the moment of impact, ensuring that you tighten your grip as you make contact with the shuttlecock. This combination of a relaxed preparation and a tightened impact allows for both power and precision in your overhead clear. Practice this timing to develop a feel for when to tighten your grip.
In conclusion, the relaxed forehand grip is an essential component of the overhead clear in badminton. It enables you to generate power and control the direction of the shuttlecock effectively. Remember to time your grip adjustment, keeping it relaxed during the preparation phase and tightening it at the moment of impact. With practice, you will master the timing and improve the quality of your overhead clears.
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Point your non-racket arm up
Pointing your non-racket arm up is a crucial part of executing the overhead clear in badminton. This shot is a fundamental and defensive move that gives you time to recover and forces your opponent to move backwards, creating space for you to follow up with a drop shot or net shot.
To perform the overhead clear effectively, point your non-racket arm up towards the shuttle as you load up to hit it. This action should be synchronised with pulling your racket arm back, bending your elbow at a 90-degree angle. The coordination of these movements will help you generate power and achieve the desired trajectory for the shuttle.
In addition to arm positioning, it's important to focus on your breathing and body weight transfer. Inhale as you raise your non-racket arm and exhale as you swing the racket forward, contracting your abs to add explosive power to your stroke. Bend your knees in the ready position and push off with your racket foot to transfer your body weight forward, contributing to the overall force of the shot.
The height of your non-racket arm also plays a strategic role in the effectiveness of your overhead clear. Depending on the situation, you can choose how high to hit your clears. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, hit the shuttle as high as possible (while still ensuring it reaches the back) to buy yourself time to recover. In contrast, an attacking clear involves hitting the shuttle lower, depriving your opponent of time and forcing them to move backwards.
Practising the lift-clear-drop drill with a partner can help you refine your non-racket arm positioning and overall technique for the overhead clear. During this drill, you'll work on clearing the shuttle to your partner's backcourt and responding to their drop shots, improving your ability to strategically use your non-racket arm in game scenarios.
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Hitting the shuttle at the right height
When you are in a difficult situation, it is advisable to play a high clear. By hitting the shuttle high in the air, you give yourself more time to recover and neutralise your opponent's advantage. However, it is important to aim for the middle of the court when playing a high clear, as hitting it to the corners may result in an error. While this strategy may not put immediate pressure on your opponent, it helps you regain control of the game.
On the other hand, an attacking clear is employed to catch your opponent off guard and limit their reaction time. To execute this, you should aim to hit the shuttle just high enough so that it goes beyond your opponent's immediate reach. Attacking clears can be significantly lower than standard clears, sometimes only slightly higher than your opponent's full upward reach from a standing position. This strategy is effective in putting pressure on your opponent and creating opportunities for potential attacking shots.
The height of your clear is a balance between offence and defence. If you consistently hit the shuttle at the same height, your opponent can anticipate and intercept your shots more easily. Therefore, varying the height of your clears can keep your opponent guessing and improve your tactical options.
To execute a successful overhead clear, it is essential to make high contact with the shuttle, above your head. This technique, combined with proper footwork and body weight transfer, will enable you to generate the power and placement needed to effectively utilise the overhead clear in your game.
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Practice with a partner
Once you have a grasp of the basics of the overhead clear, you can start to practice with a partner. Here are some drills to try:
Lift-Clear-Drop Drill
Stand across from your partner in the midcourt. Have your partner lift the shuttle into the forehand side of your backcourt. Use proper footwork to move behind the shuttle and clear it back to your partner. Your partner will then use a drop shot to send the shuttle back to your frontcourt. Move to the frontcourt and lift the shuttle to your partner’s backcourt. Your partner will clear the shuttle, to which you will respond with a drop shot. Repeat this cycle for 5-10 minutes.
Multi-shuttle Drill
One partner should grab a few stacks of shuttles, while the other stands across the net from them. The partner with the shuttles will continuously lift them into the backcourt of their partner, who will then practice their overhead clear.
Overhead Clear & Smash
Stand on opposite sides of the net with racquets and a birdie. One partner will be the "passer" and the other, the "receiver". The passer will hit a high-arching underhand shot to the receiver. Each player is only allowed to make contact with the birdie once. Attempt 10 shots, earning one point for each shot that lands in the opponent's court. Allow students to monitor and correct their partners' form.
Remember, the overhead clear is a defensive shot that allows you to recover by forcing your opponent to move back to their rear court. Focus on using the correct technique, including proper footwork, body weight transfer, and the classic 'throwing action' with arm rotation.
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Frequently asked questions
The overhead clear is a fundamental shot in badminton that is used to push your opponent back to their rear court. It is also called the Lob in some countries. It is a defensive shot that allows a player time to recover by forcing their opponent to move back and increasing the amount of time the shuttle is in the air.
The correct technique involves the use of bodyweight transfer and the classic 'throwing action' with arm rotation. Beginners should use a relaxed forehand grip, also known as the handshake grip. As you load up to hit the shuttle, point your non-racket arm towards it and pull your racket arm back, bending your elbow at a 90-degree angle. Push up with your legs, rotate your hips, and then your torso and shoulders as you swing your racket in a throwing motion.
Once you understand the mechanics of the overhead clear, you can practice with a partner using the lift-clear-drop drill. Stand across from your partner in your midcourt. Have them lift the shuttle into the forehand side of your backcourt. Use proper footwork to get behind the shuttle and clear it back to your partner. They will then use a drop shot to send the shuttle back to your front court. Move to your front court and lift the shuttle to your partner's back court. Your partner will clear the shuttle, and you will respond with a drop. Repeat this for 5-10 minutes.
