Ayrton Oneill
The smash is a powerful badminton stroke that can be used to catch your opponent off guard. There are several types of smashes, including the standard smash, the stick smash, the jump out smash, and the backhand smash. To perform a smash, you should start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. When the shuttlecock, or birdie, comes towards you, hold your racket upright and as far back as possible, then swing to connect with the shuttlecock at the highest point possible. The power of a smash comes from rotating your body forwards into the shot, as well as rotating your hips, torso, shoulders, elbow, forearm, and wrist in a fast sequence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types | Standard smash, stick smash, jump smash, jump out smash, and backhand smash |
| Body movement | Hip, torso, shoulder, arm, and wrist |
| Foot position | Off racquet foot pointing in the direction of the throw, weight initially on the racquet leg |
| Racket position | Upright and as far back as possible |
| Breathing | Inhale deeply before smashing |
| Grip | Switch to a backhand grip quickly and naturally |
| Wrist movement | Squeeze your grip to snap your wrist over the shuttle |
| Power | Power comes from rotating your body forwards into the shot |
| Speed | Faster grip switching results in more power |
| Aggressiveness | Stick smash is an aggressive shot with a steep trajectory |
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What You'll Learn
Standard smash
The standard smash is one of the five types of smashes in badminton, along with the stick smash, jump smash, jump out smash, and backhand smash. It is one of the most important smashes to learn, as it is used in every game.
To perform a standard smash, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Position yourself about half a meter behind the shuttlecock, with your off-racket foot pointing towards the back of the court. As the shuttlecock comes towards you, hold your racket upright and as far back as possible. Then, inhale deeply and swing your racket to connect with the shuttlecock at the highest point possible. As you hit the shuttlecock, shuffle your feet forward and follow through with your swing.
The power of the standard smash comes from rotating your body forwards into the shot. This involves rotating your hips, torso, and shoulders in a fast sequence, followed by your elbow, forearm, and wrist. It is important to keep the contact point short and use your fingers to accelerate fast. Unlike the stick smash, the standard smash requires a longer swing speed, with your elbow moving forwards and down.
It is recommended to only attempt a standard smash when you are in a good position. Attempting a standard smash when you are off-balance or out of position can leave you vulnerable to a strong defence from your opponents.
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Stick smash
The stick smash is an aggressive badminton shot with a steep, downward trajectory. It is a unique type of smash that requires less power to execute than a standard smash, making it a good option when you're tired or off-balance. The stick smash is also versatile, as it can be played from a variety of positions, such as when you're early and behind the shuttle or taking it late.
To perform a stick smash, start by gearing up as if you're preparing for a regular smash or clear. Step back and track the shuttle with your non-racket arm pointed towards it. When the shuttle gets close, jump or reach towards it as you would with a typical smash. However, instead of a full swing, create a snapping movement with your forearm and wrist, keeping your arm slightly bent throughout. This "snap" will force the racket to rebound, resulting in a crisp hitting action. The power for a stick smash should only come from the forearm and wrist, allowing you to have more control over your body and hit more accurate shots.
It's important to stay relaxed during your preparation for a stick smash. This not only keeps your opponent guessing but also enables you to create the necessary "stick" or "snap" to add power to your shot. A good indicator of whether you're relaxed is to check your grip. If it's stiff and tense, you won't be able to create the desired "stick" effect.
The stick smash is an excellent way to mix up your shots and maintain your offense while conserving energy. It can be a secret weapon to catch your opponent by surprise and score those winning points.
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Jump smash
The jump smash is one of the most powerful overhead shots in badminton. It is an offensive shot usually played from the rear court down into the opponent's mid-court. When performed well, it is difficult for the opponent to return the shot.
To execute a jump smash, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, or even wider, and your knees slightly bent. As the shuttle comes towards you, hold your racket upright and as far back as possible. You should also raise your non-racket arm to help maintain balance and gauge the best spot and height to contact the shuttle. When the shuttle is at its highest point, jump and swing your racket back. The head of the racket should be between your shoulder blades. Then, swing your racket forward, hitting the shuttle in front of you. As you hit the shuttle, shuffle your feet forward and follow through with your swing.
There are several tips to improve your jump smash. It is important to get the timing, speed and power right, which takes practice. You should only use the jump smash when you are prepared and when the shuttlecock is high in the air. It is also important to maintain your body balance and to focus on the correct technique. For example, your grip should be loose until the point of impact, when you should tighten your grip to maintain control. You can also try to develop a "backward running" movement after playing a net shot, which will help you prepare your legs.
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Backhand smash
The backhand smash is one of the hardest shots to master in badminton. It is a risky shot that requires impeccable timing and excellent hand-eye coordination. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing a backhand smash:
Preparation:
As soon as your opponent hits the shuttle, quickly side-step and get behind it. Shuffle back and lunge or semi-lunge on the racket foot into the backhand corner. It is important to switch from a forehand grip to a backhand grip while moving towards the shuttle. The faster you can switch your grip, the more power your smash will have. Make sure your backhand grip is correct and consistent throughout the shot. Do not hold the racket too tightly, as this will reduce your control.
The Shot:
Position your body to point towards the back of the court. Get underneath the shuttle and slightly behind it. Keep your racket arm close to your body to generate maximum power. Use your non-racket arm to balance and stabilise yourself. As you hit the shuttle, snap your wrist to increase the power of the shot. Follow through with the swing, extending your arm until it is roughly straight.
The Recovery:
After hitting the shuttle, land with your racket foot behind and shuffle back to the ready position at mid-court. Be prepared for your opponent's return shot.
The backhand smash is a powerful shot that can be used to deceive your opponent. However, it requires a lot of practice to master, even for professionals. Make sure you are in a good position and have excellent timing to execute this shot effectively.
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Jump out smash
The jump out smash, also known as the China jump, is a type of smash in badminton where you jump out to intercept the shuttle from a flat lift before it passes you. This shot can be highly effective in both singles and doubles matches, but it requires good strength and explosivity.
To perform a jump out smash, you must first do a split step, then push off and jump out, keeping your hips parallel to the direction of your split step. You should jump forward to add more momentum to your smash, but jumping straight up or sideways is also effective. However, jumping backward may put you off balance and weaken your shot. After the split step, look at the shuttle and assess how far away it is to determine if you should jump straight away or take an extra chassee step before jumping.
When you begin your swing, bend your elbow and load your swing by placing your racket behind you, similar to a ninja sword in its sheath. Your bent elbow should point upwards, and your racket should not touch your back. As you finish kicking in the air, straighten both legs, and your racket should be at the ninja sword position, beginning its swing down. Feel the energy travel up through your body from your legs and into your core and arms, and remember to use a whipping motion when swinging.
To time the jump out smash perfectly, you need to be at the fastest part of your swing when making contact with the shuttle. Keep the racket face open upon contact to avoid slicing the shuttle, and have a shorter follow-through than in a jump smash or scissor kick smash. As you finish your follow-through, you should be landing, and then you can proceed to the recovery step.
It is crucial to maintain a relaxed body and loose grip throughout the jump out smash, allowing for an efficient flow of energy. A common mistake is tensing the body muscles, restricting mobility and reducing swing speed. Additionally, the height of your jump is not the most important factor; focus on pushing off the court and getting off the ground when smashing.
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Frequently asked questions
A smash in badminton is a technique used to strike the shuttlecock with speed and power. It involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, bending your knees, and swinging your racket to connect with the shuttlecock at the highest point possible.
There are five types of smashes in badminton: the standard smash, the stick smash, the jump smash, the jump out smash, and the backhand smash.
To perform a standard smash, you should stand about half a meter behind the shuttlecock with your knees bent and feet shoulder-width apart. Rotate your hips, torso, and shoulders, followed by your elbow, forearm, and wrist to generate power and strike the shuttlecock.
A stick smash is an aggressive shot with a steep trajectory. It is hit with a short, snappy action, making it suitable for when you are off balance. It has less power than a standard smash and involves a slower swing speed.
A smash and a clear in badminton have different contact points. The smash involves a short contact point, using the fingers to accelerate, and hitting the shuttlecock in front of you.
