
The overhead clear is a fundamental defensive shot in badminton that allows a player to buy time to recover by forcing their opponent to move towards the back of the court and increasing the amount of time the shuttlecock is in the air. The shot is performed by making contact with the shuttlecock above the head and using the proper amount of force to send it to the back third of the court. The overhead clear is an important shot to master as it also forms the basis of the drop shot and the smash.
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What You'll Learn
- The overhead clear is a defensive shot that gives players time to recover
- The birdie/shuttlecock should be struck as high in the air as possible
- The shot should land between the baseline and the long doubles service line
- The correct technique involves body weight transfer and a 'throwing action'
- The overhead clear is similar to the smash, but with a different contact point

The overhead clear is a defensive shot that gives players time to recover
The overhead clear is a fundamental defensive shot in badminton that gives players time to recover by forcing their opponent to move to the back of the court and increasing the amount of time the shuttlecock is in the air. It is executed by making high contact with the shuttlecock above the head, using the proper amount of force to send it to the back third of the court. This shot is similar to the smash, but the key difference is that the smash involves making contact with the shuttlecock in front of the body at a 45-degree angle, resulting in a quick shot that is difficult for the opponent to return.
To perform an effective overhead clear, players should aim for a high contact point with the shuttlecock, striking it as high in the air as possible. This involves proper technique, including body weight transfer and a classic "throwing action" with arm rotation. A common mistake among beginners is attempting the shot with a square stance to the net and trying to generate power with a bent arm. Instead, players should focus on using a relaxed grip, tightening only on impact, and concentrating on hitting the shuttlecock with a clean contact point, known as the "sweet spot."
The overhead clear is an important shot in a player's arsenal as it provides tactical advantages. It allows players to push their opponents deep into their rear court, exposing court space near the net. This creates opportunities for follow-up shots, such as a drop shot or net shot. Additionally, the overhead clear buys time for the player, enabling them to recover during a rally and return to their base position.
Mastering the overhead clear requires practice and refinement of technique. Players can benefit from recording their attempts to identify areas for improvement and seeking guidance from online resources or coaches. It is important to focus on the correct form and timing rather than solely relying on power. By perfecting this defensive shot, players can gain a strategic advantage in their badminton matches.
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The birdie/shuttlecock should be struck as high in the air as possible
The overhead clear is a fundamental shot in badminton, used to push your opponent back to their rear court. It is a defensive shot that gives you time to recover by forcing your opponent to move and increasing the time the shuttlecock is in the air.
To perform an overhead clear, you need to make high contact with the shuttlecock above your head. The shuttlecock should be struck as high in the air as possible. This is achieved by making contact with the shuttlecock in front of your body, extending your racket elbow upwards into a throwing position. You should keep your eyes on the shuttlecock and extend your elbow, flexing your wrist on contact to allow for a 'whip' action.
It is important to use the proper amount of force to send the shuttlecock to the back third of the court. A common mistake is to use too much force, which can result in a chaotic contact point and a reduction in the speed of the shuttlecock. Instead, focus on hitting the shuttlecock with a clean contact point, aiming for the 'sweet spot'.
The overhead clear is an important shot to master in badminton, as it creates opportunities for follow-up shots such as the drop shot or net shot. It also allows you to regain your base position and strategize your next move.
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The shot should land between the baseline and the long doubles service line
The overhead clear is a fundamental shot in badminton. It is a defensive shot that allows a player to buy time and recover by pushing their opponent towards the back of the court. This creates space in the mid and front courts and gives the player time to return to their base position.
To execute an overhead clear, you need to make high contact with the birdie or shuttlecock above your head. The birdie should be struck as high in the air as possible, sending it to the back third of the court. The shot should land between the baseline and the long doubles service line.
The correct technique involves using body weight transfer and a classic 'throwing action' with arm rotation. It is important to have a relaxed racket grip, tightening on impact. A common mistake made by beginners is to stand square to the net and try to generate power with a bent arm.
If you are struggling with the length of your overhead clears, you may be hitting the birdie too early in your swing or slicing it at the point of impact. Try to focus on hitting it with a clean contact point, aiming for the sweet spot. You can also try the scissor kick to generate more momentum and power.
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The correct technique involves body weight transfer and a 'throwing action'
The overhead clear is a fundamental shot in badminton that pushes your opponent towards the back of their court, creating space near the net for you to exploit with a subsequent drop shot or net shot. It is also used defensively to buy time and recover during a rally.
The correct technique for executing an overhead clear involves body weight transfer and a throwing action. To begin, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your knees slightly bent, and turn sideways so that your left foot points towards your target and your right foot is parallel to the baseline. Your left shoulder and fully extended elbow should be pointing towards the shuttlecock, with the racket elbow extended backward behind your head at a 90-degree angle and the face of the racket above head height. Flex your wrist and elbow backward until the racket is parallel to the floor.
Next, rotate your body and step forward towards the shuttlecock with your racket leg, transferring your weight through the shot. Extend your racket elbow upwards into a throwing position. Keep your eyes on the shuttlecock at all times. To make contact with the shuttlecock, extend your racket elbow and flex your wrist, allowing for a 'whip' action. Make contact with the shuttlecock as high as possible in front of your body, driving it with a high trajectory towards the back of the court. Your body should fully rotate, with your racket foot now bearing all the weight and facing towards the target.
It is important to note that many beginners attempt the overhead clear with a static stance, trying to generate power solely with a bent arm. However, the correct technique involves dynamic body weight transfer and the classic throwing action, utilizing forearm rotation for a clean contact point.
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The overhead clear is similar to the smash, but with a different contact point
The overhead clear is a fundamental shot in badminton. It is a defensive shot that allows a player to buy time and recover by forcing the opponent to move towards the back of the court and increasing the amount of time the shuttlecock is in the air. The clear is also used to expose court space near the net to follow up with a drop shot or net shot.
To perform an overhead clear, the player should stand with their left foot pointing towards the target and their right foot parallel to the baseline. The left shoulder and fully extended elbow should be pointing towards the shuttlecock, with the racket elbow extended backward behind the head at a 90-degree angle and the face of the racket above head height. The player should then flex their wrist and elbow backward until the racket is parallel with the floor.
The player then rotates their body and steps forward towards the shuttlecock with their racket leg, transferring their weight through the shot. The racket elbow is then extended upwards into a throwing position, and the player makes contact with the shuttlecock as high as possible. A relaxed racket grip is recommended, with a tight grip on impact. A scissor kick can also be attempted for more power and momentum.
The follow-through is important, with the player extending their elbow and flexing their wrist on contact, allowing for a 'whip' action. The player's body should fully rotate, with the racket foot now bearing all the weight and facing the target. The racket will follow through and finish to the left side of the body. The player then returns to the ready position to anticipate their opponent's reply.
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Frequently asked questions
An overhead clear is a fundamental defensive shot in badminton that allows a player to buy time and
The correct technique involves the use of body weight transfer and a 'throwing action' with arm rotation. The shuttlecock should be struck as high in the air as possible, with the player's arm extended above their head.
Try scissor kicking on the overhead corner to get more momentum and power. If you are still struggling, you may be hitting the shuttlecock too early in your swing, so try reducing the force of your swing and concentrate on hitting it with a clean contact point.











































