Ayrton Oneill
Badminton is a racket sport that requires good hand-eye coordination to return passes and perform basic moves. To play badminton effectively, it is important to learn the four basic strokes and shots. The four basic strokes in badminton are forehand, backhand, and overhead strokes, as well as their variations. The four basic shots in badminton are the clear shot, drop shot, smash, and drive. These strokes and shots are fundamental to producing good shots in a game of badminton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basic Strokes | Forehand, Backhand, Overhead, Underhand |
| Forehand | Performed by pulling the arm behind the head and striking the shuttlecock when it is a few inches above eye level |
| Backhand | Used to return high shots passed to the weaker side of the body |
| Overhead | Performed by throwing the shuttlecock into the air and striking it as it falls back down |
| Underhand | Striking the shuttlecock at waist level or lower |
| Types of Shots | Clear, Drop, Drive, Smash, Net Kill, Net Lift |
| Clear Shot | Defensive shot aimed towards the back of the opposite court; used to buy time or force the opponent to the back of the court |
| Drop Shot | Offensive shot where the shuttlecock is hit with a little force to push it over the net; used to force the opponent out of position or to vary the pace of the game |
| Drive | Offensive shot with a flat trajectory |
| Smash | Offensive shot designed to give the opponent less time to return the pass; considered the most powerful shot in badminton |
| Net Kill | Defensive shot where the player blocks the shuttlecock and deflects it towards the ground |
| Net Lift | Defensive shot |
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Forehand grip and shot
The forehand grip is one of the four essential grips in badminton that can be used to boost your control, precision, and performance on the court. It is mainly used for forehand overhead shots and is considered the easiest grip to learn. To get into the forehand grip, pretend you are shaking someone's hand, forming a 'V shape' with your index finger and thumb. Your fingers should be loosely gripped around the racket handle, as a tight grip will make it harder to change grips during a rally and limit your ability to generate power and control in your shots.
The forehand grip is used to perform the forehand shot, which is the easiest and simplest shot to perform in any racket sport. To serve, players start by throwing the shuttlecock into the air and, as it falls back down, they pull their arm back behind their head and strike the shuttlecock when it is a few inches above eye level. This shot is also used to return lob shots, which are passes at a very high angle.
The underhand forehand shot is another simple skill to learn. To perform this shot, you strike the shuttlecock at waist level or lower, so you do not have to reach over your head to return the pass. The overhead backhand shot is less commonly used than the forehand shot, but it is still essential to learn. It is used to return high shots that are passed to the weaker side of your body. To perform this shot, you cross your strong arm over your neck and twist your body so that it faces the direction of the shuttlecock. Unlike the forearm shot, you will use the backside of the racket to strike.
To improve your forehand grip and shot, it is important to practice drills that improve your coordination, such as playing simple games of catch with a ball and juggling a shuttlecock on your racket. You should also practice changing your grip by playing a conditioned routine where you switch grips after every shot, such as playing a backhand defensive shot followed by a forehand defensive shot.
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Backhand grip and shot
The backhand grip is determined by where you are making contact with the shuttle on your backhand side. If the shuttle is level with you or in front, you would use a standard backhand grip with your thumb on top. If the shuttle is behind you, as it should be when taking a rear-court backhand shot, you should use a bevel grip, with your thumb further around the handle. This allows you to play an accurate and powerful shot from this position. If the shuttle is very far behind you, you should use a panhandle grip, with your thumb on the side of the racket, pinching the sides with your thumb and fingers. The panhandle grip is the most natural grip for beginners as it is easy to hit overhead shots with.
To perform an overhead backhand shot, you will need to cross your strong arm over your neck and twist your body so that you are facing the direction of the shuttlecock. You will use the backside of the racket to strike the shuttlecock. This type of shot is used to return high shots that are passed to the weaker side of your body. For example, if you are right-handed, you would need to use this backhand move to reach the shuttlecock in time.
There are several techniques to improve your backhand shot. It is recommended to keep your elbow low in preparation and to lunge just before you hit the shuttle. You should also allow enough room between you and the shuttle to rotate and remain relaxed in your shoulders. You can create power and control in the shot by bringing your arm through and using your wrist and forearm rotation. It is also important to have a relaxed hand until the point of contact with the shuttlecock. At this point, you squeeze your grip tight, enabling your thumb and fingers to generate the necessary power.
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Overhead strokes
Overhead Forehand
The overhead forehand is the most common stroke in badminton and the first stroke beginners should learn. To perform an overhead forehand shot, the player starts by throwing the shuttlecock into the air and pulling their arm back behind their head as the shuttlecock falls back down. They then strike the shuttlecock when it is a few inches above eye level. This shot is also used to return lob shots.
Overhead Backhand
The overhead backhand is less commonly used than the overhead forehand. It is used to return high shots that are passed to the player's weaker side. To perform an overhead backhand, the player crosses their strong arm over their neck and twists their body to face the direction of the shuttlecock. The backside of the racket is used to strike the shuttlecock.
Technique
The wrist action in badminton contributes a lot of power to overhead strokes. To generate power, players should practice the correct way of flicking their wrist. The backhand stroke is about generating power similarly to the forehand stroke, but it is more complicated than a tennis backhand. To perform a backhand stroke, the player starts facing the front of the court and slowly turns their body to face the back. They then raise their racket and keep their racket arm close to their body to ensure a complete backhand swing can be performed. The body should be facing the back of the court when the backhand stroke is performed, and the swing should continue even after the shuttle is hit to follow through with the racket. Following through helps with accuracy rather than power.
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Drop shots
To perform a drop shot, the player must strike the shuttlecock at a high point, from the midcourt, and direct it downwards towards the net in a looping motion. This is in contrast to a smash, which also involves hitting downwards, but with more power and from a position further back. The drop shot requires subtlety and precision, rather than brute force.
The stroke, or swing motion of the racket arm, is an important aspect of the drop shot. The power of the shot is directly related to the player's ability to perform the stroke effectively. Therefore, it is crucial to master the correct grip and pronation/supination movements to execute a successful drop shot.
Additionally, good hand-eye coordination is essential in badminton, and this is particularly true for executing drop shots accurately. Players should ensure they warm up adequately before a game to improve their coordination and reduce the likelihood of missing shots.
The drop shot is a valuable technique to add to a player's arsenal, providing an element of surprise and allowing for a variety of shot options during a game. It is a more advanced skill that can give a player an edge over their opponent when used effectively.
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Smash shots
The badminton smash is an attacking downward shot used to win a rally or produce a weak reply from the opponent. It is considered the most powerful shot in badminton, reaching speeds of up to 565 km/h. The smash is designed to give the opponent less time to return the pass, so the player must hit the shuttlecock as hard as they can towards the forecourt.
To execute a powerful smash, you need to be about half a metre behind the shuttlecock when hitting it. This is because a lot of power comes from rotating your body forwards into the shot. If you take the shot with the shuttlecock slightly behind you, your momentum won't be going forwards, which reduces your power. Your body should be facing sideways in the preparation phase, with your racket arm at a 90-degree angle and your non-racket arm pointing upwards to help with timing, balance and rotation.
The grip is a critical aspect of the smash, influencing power and control. The most commonly used grip is the forehand grip, where the hand is at the bottom of the grip handle, creating a longer lever to help generate more power. The grip should be firm yet relaxed, allowing for better wrist action, which is essential for generating power.
The swing is where most of the power and speed of the smash come from. To generate a fast racket head speed, rotate your hips, torso and shoulders, transferring your body weight forwards into the shuttle. It is important to follow through and complete the swing to give your smash more power.
Practising the smashing motion without a shuttlecock can help to perfect your technique. A good practice drill for beginners is to have a partner hit high serves, and you hit individual smashes. This allows beginners to focus on developing the correct preparation and hitting action.
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