Helena Frye
Clears are an essential skill in badminton and are used both as an attacking and defensive shot. The height of a clear is a balance between attack and defence. If the clear is too shallow, the opponent can intercept it with a smash. If the clear is very high, the opponent has plenty of time to get back and is not under any movement pressure. The standard clear is high enough to be safe, but shallow enough to place some pressure on the opponent. Clears are hit with the shuttle directly above the right shoulder, upwards, and are best used when the shuttle is high in the air.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of shot | Defensive or attacking |
| Purpose | To drive your opponent to the rear court |
| Direction | Hit upwards |
| Contact point | Directly above the right shoulder |
| Trajectory | High and deep |
| Footwork | Quick and agile |
| Core muscles | Strong |
| Grip | Relaxed |
| Timing | Perfected with practice |
| Power | Increased by holding the racket further down the grip |
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What You'll Learn
Clears are hit with the shuttle directly above the right shoulder
The forehand clear is the first skill that beginners should learn in badminton. It is an essential skill that forms the technical basis for many other types of badminton shots.
To execute a forehand overhead clear, you should adopt a forehand grip and turn sideways with your non-racket foot forward. With your racket hand up, prepare for the incoming shuttle and, with a throwing position, draw your hand back behind your shoulder. When the shuttle is at your 12 to 1 o'clock position, hit the shuttle by turning your body and transferring your weight to the non-racket foot, finishing the stroke with a follow-through.
The height of a clear is a balance between attack and defence. A standard clear occupies the middle ground: high enough to be safe, but shallow enough to place some pressure on your opponent's movement. Attacking clears travel lower than standard clears, with the aim of depriving your opponent of time and placing the shuttle behind them. Defensive clears, on the other hand, have a high and deep trajectory, giving your opponent more time to position themselves but also allowing you to return to your base position.
It is important to master the length of your clears, ensuring they consistently land in the back half of the back tramlines. Additionally, having good footwork will help you get back to the middle of the court quickly, allowing you to be ready for your opponent's next move.
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Clears are defensive shots to help players get back into position
The clear is one of the most basic yet essential shots in badminton. It is a defensive shot that helps players get back into position and buy time. Clears are hit with the shuttle directly above the right shoulder, upwards, creating a high and deep trajectory. This causes the shuttle to take longer to reach the opponent, giving the player more time to return to their base position.
Clears can be divided into three categories: standard, defensive, and attacking. The height of a clear is a balance between attack and defence. A standard clear is high enough to be safe but shallow enough to place some pressure on the opponent's movement. It is a good basic building shot.
Defensive clears have a high and deep trajectory, giving the opponent ample time to position themselves to receive the shuttle. This type of clear is used when a player is put in a difficult spot and needs to buy time. While it gives the opponent more time to prepare, it also allows the player to get back to their base position.
Attacking clears, on the other hand, travel lower than standard clears. The aim is to deprive the opponent of time and place the shuttle behind them. These clears are played when the opponent is unlikely to intercept them successfully. As the opponent falls out of position, the player can decrease the height of their clears, increasing the pressure.
To master the clear, players must also focus on their footwork. Quick and agile footwork helps players get into position to play a clear and recover. Having a good split step can help players spring backward to reach a punch clear played behind them. Additionally, players should practice clear accuracy to improve their skills.
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Attacking clears are lower than standard clears
A clear in badminton is an overhead shot that is hit high and deep from the back of the player's court to the back of their opponent's court. The forehand clear is the first and most essential skill for novices to learn. It is employed as either an attacking or defensive shot, with the aim of driving the opponent to the rear court.
The defensive clear is used when a player is put in a difficult spot and needs to buy time. This type of clear has a high and deep trajectory, causing the shuttle to take longer to reach the opponent.
The attacking clear, on the other hand, travels lower than the standard clear. It is hit just high enough so that it passes over the opponent's immediate reach. The shuttle travels fast and flat, running almost parallel to the ground towards the opponent's rear court. This gives the opponent less time to react, allowing the player to get the shuttle behind them and force a weak reply or even win the point outright.
The punch clear is a type of attacking clear that is played much lower and faster than a normal clear. This shot is deceptive because its preparation is the same as a smash or a drop, so the opponent doesn't know what's coming.
The attacking clear is a strong shot that is hard to defend. It requires good judgment to spot when to play it, such as when the opponent is unlikely to make a successful interception. By playing with good judgment, the attacking clear is an excellent building shot that can increase pressure on the opponent.
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Defensive clears have a high and deep trajectory
Defensive clears are an essential skill in badminton, and they are often the first thing beginners learn as they practice hitting the shuttlecock high up in the air. They are a strategic shot used when a player is put in a difficult spot and needs to buy time to return to their base position.
The defining feature of a defensive clear is its high and deep trajectory. This causes the shuttle to take longer to reach the opponent, giving them ample time to position themselves to receive the shuttle. However, the height and depth of the trajectory also allow the player who initiated the defensive clear to recover and prepare for their next shot.
The height of a defensive clear is a strategic decision that balances attack and defence. A shallow clear can be intercepted by an opponent's smash, while a very high clear removes any movement pressure on the opponent. Thus, the ideal height for a defensive clear is a middle ground that is high enough to be safe but shallow enough to place some pressure on the opponent's movement.
To execute a defensive clear, players must adopt a forehand grip and turn sideways with their non-racket foot forward. The racket hand is raised, and the shuttle is hit when it is at the 12 to 1 o'clock position, with the body turning and weight transferring to the non-racket foot. Good footwork is essential to quickly return to the middle of the court after a defensive clear, allowing players to be ready for their opponent's next shot.
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Core strength and footwork are important for playing clears
A high clear in badminton is a shot that is used when the opponent is near the backcourt. It involves hitting the shuttlecock at its highest point, creating a steep angle for a smash. Core strength and footwork are essential components of badminton that can significantly improve a player's ability to perform high clears.
Core strength is fundamental to athletic performance in badminton. It helps stabilise the body, generate force, and aids in energy transference. The core acts as a stabiliser, allowing players to maintain balance while moving and transferring energy between different body parts. This is crucial in badminton, as it involves multi-plane movements, and a strong core provides a solid base for these extreme movements. Core strength training (CST) has been shown to improve performance in badminton and other sports. Studies have found that CST enhances explosive power and performance in athletes.
Footwork is another critical aspect of badminton. The sport requires quick movements and the ability to get to the shuttlecock quickly. Good footwork allows players to position themselves optimally for shots like smashes and net kills. It also helps players maintain stability and provides more options for playing shots. Returning to the centre of the court after hitting the shuttlecock is essential, as it enables players to react quickly to their opponent's shots.
To improve core strength for playing clears, players can incorporate core strength training into their routines. This can include exercises such as planks, Russian twists, and deadlifts. For footwork, players should focus on their starting position and movement strategies. They should aim to push off with the foot that is away from the direction they want to move in, allowing them to move quickly and efficiently.
By focusing on core strength and footwork, players can improve their stability, balance, and movement on the court, which are crucial for executing effective high clears and improving their overall badminton performance.
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Frequently asked questions
A high clear in badminton is a defensive shot that is used to get the player back into position. It has a high and deep trajectory, giving the opponent plenty of time to get back and leaving them with no movement pressure.
A high clear is best used when you are in a difficult spot and need to buy time. It is also a good shot to use when your opponent is near the backcourt.
To execute a high clear, adopt a forehand grip and turn sideways with your non-racket foot forward. Prepare for the incoming shuttle by drawing your racket hand back behind your shoulder. When the shuttle is at its highest point, hit it by turning your body and transferring your weight to the non-racket foot.
