Amanda Knapp
When it comes to badminton, footwork and fitness are key. Mastering footwork is essential as it directly affects your strokes. Exercises such as jogging, skipping, and shadow playing can improve your endurance, agility, and instinctual movement. While there is no definitive order for introducing strokes, coaches often start with the overhead stroke, as it is an important skill and a good starting point for beginners. Forecourt strokes are also a common starting point as they are mainly underarm and prepare players for overhead hitting. The defensive clear shot is another foundational stroke that beginners should master to play longer rallies. From there, players can progress to more advanced strokes like the drop shot, smash, and spinning shots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stroke to teach first | Overhead |
| First half of exercises dedicated to | Improving footwork |
| Footwork exercises | Jogging, skipping, shadow playing |
| First strokes to learn | Forecourt strokes, defensive clear shot, drive shot, forehand clear, nets (forehand and backhand), forehand straight slice drop, backhand drop, backhand straight slice, backhand smash |
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What You'll Learn
Footwork and endurance
Footwork is an essential part of badminton and directly affects the strokes you can produce. Therefore, it is important to master your footwork before learning different types of shots.
To improve your footwork, you can start with shadow movements, also known as shadow playing. This involves visualising your movements until they become instinctual. This way, you won't have to consciously think about your footwork during a game. You can also try jogging a few times a week for 30 minutes to improve your endurance. The more stamina you have, the better you will be at constantly retrieving shots without getting tired. Skipping is another great way to train your feet to be light and nimble, helping you to move around the court with ease.
Once you have mastered your footwork, you can start learning different types of shots and when to use them. It is important to learn and practice one shot at a time until you are good at it before moving on to a new type of shot.
To improve your endurance, you can try jogging a few times a week for 30 minutes. This will help you build stamina and improve your endurance. You can also try other forms of cardio exercises such as swimming or cycling to mix up your routine while improving your endurance.
In addition to endurance, speed is also important in badminton. You can try doing sprint intervals or shuttle runs to improve your speed and agility. These exercises will help you move around the court quickly and improve your reaction time.
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Forecourt strokes
When the shuttlecock is high above the net in the forecourt, the player aims for a net kill. This involves hitting it steeply downwards with a view to winning the rally immediately. To execute a net kill, a short hitting action is often preferable, as it allows for powerful strokes in quick succession. This is achieved through grip tightening, or "finger power", which allows players to generate power with a smaller racquet swing.
Another important consideration in the forecourt is the type of serve. The server can opt for a low serve, pushing the shuttlecock into the forecourt, or a lift to the back of the service court. Lifted serves can be high or flick serves. High serves are when the shuttlecock is hit very high and falls almost vertically, while flick serves are lower and designed to fall sooner. Mastering these basic strokes gives players the ability to hit powerful or soft shots from and to any part of the court.
In terms of deception, the forecourt is where lifts disguised as net shots are commonly employed. This involves suggesting a powerful stroke and then slowing down the hitting action to play a soft stroke. This technique is particularly useful when the shuttlecock is close to the net, as it can deceive the opponent and make it harder for them to react in time.
Additionally, in the forecourt, most strokes can be played effectively with either a forehand or backhand action. However, players should be mindful of their footwork and positioning to ensure they are in the optimal spot to execute the chosen stroke.
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Defensive clear shot
The defensive clear shot is one of the easiest badminton techniques to master and is considered the most important shot in a singles game. It is a beginner-friendly stroke and is used to play longer rallies against your opponents.
To execute the defensive clear shot, you must hit the shuttlecock with the middle of your racket head. The aim is to make the shuttlecock fly high in a slow arch towards the back of the court and land in your opponent's backcourt. This stroke is useful when you need more time to return to your base or when your opponent is near the forecourt, forcing them to move back to retrieve the shuttle. It is also an effortless way to defend against a flurry of attacking shuttles, allowing your opponent to fatigue themselves.
The defensive clear shot is often used in conjunction with other shots and can be used to set up subsequent strikes. For example, you can use a defensive clear to position your opponent at the back of the court, leaving the front court open for your next strike. It can also be used to change the pace of the game.
While the defensive clear shot is a useful stroke, it is important to vary your shots and not become predictable. Disguising your shots can make it harder for your opponent to react and predict your next move.
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Drive shot
The drive shot is a fundamental stroke in badminton, and an excellent one to master early on. It is a versatile, strategic move that can be used in countless situations to catch your opponent off guard and change the pace of the game. It is a flat, quick shot that travels from midcourt to midcourt, and can be used both defensively and to amp up the pace of the game.
When to use the drive shot:
The drive shot is a useful stroke to throw off your opponents' rhythm in doubles, but it can also be effective in singles. If you start a drive exchange in singles, be quick on your feet to avoid putting yourself at a disadvantage. These shots force your opponent to react fast, often leading to a rapid exchange. The drive shot is also a good stroke to disguise your intentions; your offensive shots can look like a drive or a drop shot until the very last second, making it hard for your opponent to react.
How to execute the drive shot:
The drive shot is a powerful, quick counter-attacking shot that is easy to execute. It is hit hard on a horizontal or slightly downward path, usually played down the sidelines of the court. The racket should be held with the head facing straight ahead, locking your wrist as the shuttle comes in contact with your racket. The shuttle should be hit with a flat trajectory towards the intended target, and the racket will follow through, pointing towards the target.
Footwork is important in badminton, and for the drive shot, you should jump into a split-step as your opponent hits their shot. Then, quickly step towards the side of the court that the shuttle is heading to. As you lunge, aim to connect with the shuttle just before your foot hits the ground, with your racket face parallel to the net. Keep the follow-through short and snap your wrist as you swing to control the shot and recover quickly.
The backhand drive is similar to the forehand drive, except for a slight grip change. Start the back swing with your palm facing down and finish the stroke with it facing up, opposite to that of the forehand. Extend your dominant leg towards the shuttle and reach with your racket arm. Then, pivot and turn in the direction of the shuttle, with your wrist cocked for the back swing. Swing forward and transfer your body weight onto your dominant foot. Make sure to extend your racket arm, roll your forearm over in a supination movement and uncock your wrist to provide power.
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Smash and smash defence
The badminton smash is considered the most powerful shot in the sport and is usually played on the forehand. It is a core shot that beginners should learn to master. When performing a smash, take a deep breath and exhale as you swing your racket forward. It is important to follow through with the swing to give the smash more power.
Defending against a smash can be tricky because the shuttlecock travels so fast. It requires good reflexes and preparation. The ideal way to respond to a smash is with a block to the net, as this forces your opponent to move into the forecourt. Blocks are the easiest shots to play. When executing a block, move the racket towards the shuttle and push it forward. The racket should be almost parallel to the net, with limited backswing and no follow-through across the body. The trajectory of the shuttle should be flat. If the smash is coming towards your body, use a backhand. You can also try to surprise your opponent by playing a lift instead of a block, but this is riskier as your opponent may intercept with another smash.
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Frequently asked questions
The four basic strokes in badminton are the forehand, backhand, overhead, and underhand. The forehand shot is considered the easiest and simplest to perform.
The first stroke a beginner should learn is the overhead stroke. Even if they miss or can't control the stroke, it doesn't matter. It is an important skill to have.
Footwork is an essential part of badminton and directly affects your strokes. It is the first step in mastering your badminton techniques. You can practice footwork by jogging, skipping rope, and shadow playing.
After mastering the basic strokes, you can learn more advanced strokes such as the clear shot, drop shot, smash, spinning shots, lifts, and net kills.
