Notes

Outline

Slide 1

Introduction

Only perfect practice makes Perfect Don’t re-enforce bad habits!

Key Areas The Court & Shuttles Grip Footwork Attack & Defense Doubles Positions Strokes Where to target Serving Receiving

The court Net is 5’0” at the center. 5’1” at the posts. Posts stand on the line as shown left. The posts are important “sights” use them and make sure they are properly set up. If posts cannot stand on line, then a tape or ribbon should extend down from net to the line. Lines should be 1½ inches wide. Ideally there should be 3’0” minimum between courts and 5’0” behind them

Shuttles Don’t practice with bad shuttles. Marginally slow shuttles are better to practice with than marginally fast ones. Get the correct speed and test them. Feather shuttles may be slowed down or speeded up by tipping. Slightly bending the very top ends of the feathers out or in respectively. Nylon shuttles cannot be adjusted so buy a range of speeds and find out the right speed for your facility. The correct speed, is a shuttle that when hit fully underhand from over the baseline falls between 9 inches past and  9 inches short of the back doubles service court  line. Nylon shuttle do wear out! The skirt flairs and they become slow and unstable.

Grip - Racquet Handle Notice the different widths of the handle. The handle is wider in the flat plane of the strings and narrower on the side perpendicular to the strings.

Forehand Grip Start by laying racquet flat across the palm as shown in 1a & b (Place palm on strings and slide down to grip) Fold fingers and thumb around racquet as in 1c Look for the V when the racquet is held out in front of you see 1d 1e and 1f are wrong and will impede the development of controlled strokes and power necessary to play badminton well.

Backhand Grip The left picture is the forehand grip (for comparison). The backhand grip is obtained quickly and easily by rotating the racquet 1/8th turn counterclockwise (right-handers) so that the back of the racquet rests flat on the middle of the index finger. Notice the thumb is now flat on the back of the racquet and pointing up the shaft.

Backhand rotation Relax the grip with thumb and index finger. Use the index finger to push the racquet around 1/8th turn such that the top  rests squarely under the pad of the thumb Replace index finger behind racquet such that the back is snug in the crook of the finger

Which grip when Forehand All shots overhead Drives and pushes on the racquet hand side Shots from the backhand hit from below the knee when power is required Net shots Backhand Mid and front court shots on the non racquet hand side played above the waist Net shots Shots played in front of the player that are on the non racquet side but too low to smash

Grip Options Mid-court shots Net Work and forward play where quickness is required over power Back Court and Power Shots

Footwork - Definitions Without excellent footwork you will never be a good badminton player. Agility, strength and speed are the hallmarks of a top player. This can only be achieved by training and practice.     Definition: - Racquet foot. This is the foot that is on the same side as the hand that holds the racquet Definition: - Base. The position on court where you assume the “ready” position in anticipation of the next shot

Footwork - Moving To hit correctly move first, and position the racquet where you want to strike the shuttle. DON’T reach for the shuttle and get your feet to come along afterwards. Try not to hit when off balance. Move immediately to an appropriate base after you hit, do not wait to move until after your opponent hits. Stop wherever you are, as your opponent strikes the shuttle. Now move, don’t stretch to intercept the shuttle at the point closest to you opponents where you can make an accurate shot.

Footwork - Ready Position What is a ready position? The basic stance for single or doubles play consists of facing your opponent square on (that is not synonymous with square to the net). Feet should be the width of your shoulders Weight evenly distributed on both feet with toes and heels on the floor. Racquet hand level with your waist, racquet pointing up at around 30-45 degrees Other hand similarly placed for balance You are now ready to move forwards, backwards or either side, reach up or down.

Footwork – Ready Options Normal rally Try to get to the center of the court and take the ready position. Defending the Smash Widen the stance to lower your racquet closer to the ground, move back about 2 feet from your normal ready position. Racquet pointing down slightly When opponent is hitting from below shoulders from the back of the court move about 1-2 feet closer to the net. Racquet up more

Footwork – Preparatory hop The lightening speed of a shuttle requires instantaneous response. The fraction of a second wasted as you overcome inertia starting your movement can make the difference between getting to the shuttle or not. As your opponent strikes the shuttle, flex your knees and “hop” with both feet very slightly into the air, at the point that the shuttle is actually hit you should just be landing and starting to react to the direction with initial feet and body motion. The “hop” has overcome your inertia and you are more able to move quickly to intercept the shuttle.

Footwork – Striking the Shuttle From your ready position move to intercept the shuttle. Take chasse steps (Step - half Step – Step) as required to arrive with your racquet foot leading and on a line pointing at the spot on the floor directly below your intended contact point Modify non racquet foot angle as needed. Note backhand turns racquet shoulder towards the net

Attack and Defense Attack in Badminton generally is mistaken by beginners as smashing. That is only one component of “Attack”. To attack you are attempting to hit the shuttle in such a way, (speed, height and direction) that when your opponent is able to hit it, the shuttle is below net height. Pace (speed) of the shuttle will be as big a factor in whether your opponent can return it as much as placement.

Attack and Defense Defense is primarily two things, to give yourself (and your partner) time to recover and re-establish your base. Secondarily it is the attempt to convert your opponents attacking shot into a counter-attacking shot from your side. It can also be a tactic to tire your opponent.

Attack & Defense The Smash Continuous smashing requires immense energy and recovery effort which is why you will rarely see top players smashing more than 3 times consecutively in a rally. Top players will work at creating a “killable” opening before attempting the smash that wins the rally outright. Smashes are an effective way of doing this but are inefficient and prone to allowing your opponents a counter-attack.

Doubles Positions Doubles Positioning Pair “A” Defending (hitting up) Pair “B” Attacking (hitting down) This is a generic diagram. Rarely will this formation occur exactly this way in a doubles match. Usually while the attackers have one up and one back they are rarely aligned, one or the other being to a side of the court

Doubles Positions Court Zones Court Zones Defenders A cover half of the court split length ways Attackers B cover net or mid and back courts Rotations These are the ways by which teams move from front/back to side/side

Doubles Positions Rotations As a general rule the player who initiates the attacking shot will move to the net. Drop, follow it to the net, both straight and cross court Drive, step in behind the drive to keep up the pressure Straight attacking clear, move in only if successful Exceptions Smash from the back court, partner moves to net Cross court half court, partner moves up Cross court attacking clear partner moves up

Doubles Positions Rotations Example White A plays a drive into the forehand corner of team B Black B takes the shot low. White A moves forward to cover a drop counter Black A moves across and back to cover a straight drive or lift White B moves to defend the open court but still covers the net by not backing too far out giving Black B more options

Strokes Clear High Short (Usually bad) Attacking Drop Fast Slow Slice Net / Hairpin Smash Full Half Smash Drives Push Serves Short Long Wide Flick Drive Spin

Strokes - Clear Forehand This is a shot hit high towards the ceiling and to the back of the court. The intention is to give maximum recovery time to the strikers team. Typically hit from over the head, throwing the racquet head fast and upwards at the shuttle (wrist, arm shoulder rotation essential for good distance). Is also hit as a response to a smash, or a drive when time is needed. Shot should land 12 inches or less from the baseline.(Back-line) Typical flaws – wrong grip, elbow bent at 90 degrees or more, hit off front foot – not behind the shuttle, player tries to muscle the shot rather than swinging with full extension.

Strokes – Drop Shot Forehand or Backhand This shot is used to move an opponent to the net or to hit as a variation on a winner. The shot is played with the normal stroke when overhead or drive. To get the drop effect, the grip is relaxed on the racquet. Any other change in the action to effect a drop will “telegraph” the shot to an observant opponent who will anticipate accordingly. Shot should cross the net no more than 2 inches above the net tape falling into the area before the service courts. Typical flaws: Letting the shuttle drop too low, player drops the arm, uses insufficient racquet speed, over use of the cross court. Net drops are taken too low as opposed to attempting to take them as close to the top of the tape as possible.

Strokes - Smash Forehand This shot is always hit from head height or above. Using the same overhead action as the clear and drop the smash requires the player to be further behind the shuttle and to hit down onto it – further in front of the striker. Smashes are best hit straight.  Cross court smashes are more likely to be hit out and open up the attackers to a counterattack to the open side of the court Typical flaws: Insufficient whip or use of wrist, players do not get behind the shuttle, hit off of front foot so no body weight to give power, muscling the smash usually results in a miss-hit or a shot into the net.

Strokes – Drives & Pushes Forehand or Backhand Footwork is key to proper execution of these shots. Both are played forward with the racquet arm extended somewhat. Lead the shot with the wrist cocked ready to snap forward allowing a last moment change of pace. Use fingers to rotate the racquet face to adjust the angle of the shot up or down and the wrist to change the angle of the shot left or right. These are precise shots, they do not have the power of a smash, the safety of a clear and the deception of a drop shot and so must be practiced often. Typical flaws: Poor footwork, reaching not moving, taking the shuttle too low. Failure to adjust the angle of the racquet with the fingers. Not selecting a target and just hitting the shuttle back.

Where to Target The “NO” Zone The “No” Zone Drop short of it Clear over it Smash under it Drive and push around it.

Where to target

Where to Target You should never ever play a shot without a specific target in mind for that shot. Decide as you move to the shuttle where you intend to play your shot. A target can be a “hole” in the air next to or above your opponent It can be a spot on the floor or on your opponent. You should know how fast you want the shuttle to travel, slow is sometimes better than fast. You need to be aware of what happened on the other side of the net as you moved to strike the shuttle and were focused upon it. Use your peripheral vision to see what your opponents are doing.

Serving - Singles

Serving - Singles Single is the long thin court. You need to get you opponent as far of their base as possible Serve long and very high Or long and high (over any possible smash) Short serve is used as variation and to keep opponent from standing too far back. Take advantage of poor receiving position to drive serve into available openings

Serving - Doubles

Serving - Doubles

Serving - More Singles Drives and flicks can be used against opponents with slow reflexes or slow footwork. If your opponent has a strong back court game (clears and drops) consider a high percentage of short serves. Doubles High serves are often used against opponents with weak overheads to push them back and to draw the stronger partner to the net Be wary of  “taking advantage” of weaker opponents this way. It is bad practice during practice games to “take the easy point” if you wish to improve.

Serving - More Other Doubles considerations Work on fine adjustments to the serve so that you can vary the direction of your short low serve to the center. Variations include serving into the receivers forehand,  body or backhand depending upon their preferred approach to attacking your serve. Practice serving to both right and left service courts equally Practice with an aggressive receiver to hone the precision of your low serve. Practice slicing the base (not the feathers) to obtain a spin serve that will loop over the net. Practice serving flick serves as well as short serves.

Serving – Common Errors Singles High Serves that do not get past the doubles service line, hitting out consistently, lifting the foot as you strike the shuttle, bringing the racket round flat (level with the hand), admiring the serve – get ready and hop!! Doubles Too frequent use of high serve, short serve that is not tight on the net,  wide serving especially to the right hand court as a routine. Striking above the waist (Backhand serve), flat serves, double action serves.

Receiving - Singles

Receiving - Doubles

Receiving - Doubles The Short Serve High return only against a very good serve, or if time needed Keep your racquet head up at about shoulder height. Stand as close to the net as you can without leaving yourself unable to retrieve a good flick or drive serve Weight forward over your flexed front foot (non racquet foot) knee. Both hands forward for balance. Racquet reaching  to the net held in an almost vertical plane. Take the shuttle as close to the net tape as you can to minimize lifting. Receiver should move to net if an attacking return of serve was played. Do not over commit to the side to which you hit the return but you must be able to cover a straight drop 3rd shot. Try not to be predictable.

Receiving - Doubles The flick serve When in doubt clear Drop to a corner Smash if at all possible Receiver’s partner – VERY IMPORTANT You must move forward to replace the receiver at the “T” to allow the receiver to play a drop shot option.You must though, be prepared to move back to sides in the event of a clear being hit. Practice receiving both short and flick serves to improve your reflexes and your stability and shot accuracy.

Receiving – Common Errors Singles Short Clear, loose drop shot, smashing out, clearing too long. Doubles Moving the foot before the serve is struck Over committing on the rush and getting stranded or hitting into the net Lifting too short of the baseline. Failing to move with a net drop. Net dropping to a server who is standing ready for it Hitting shuttles that are falling short or going wide. Holding the racquet up with the strings facing the opponents. This is usually caused by holding the racquet out to the side or with an improper grip.

Final Comments This is only a beginner’s guide. Badminton has no set plays, no standard ways to play. What works for one team can be a disaster for another. You must be flexible in your approach. Work with your partner. Badminton is a cerebral game as well as being physical. The best success is achieved by watching and learning. Learn to read your opponents body language, their feet, their form and the gaps they leave on court. Watch the shuttle not the player’s eyes. Expect the unexpected. Do the unexpected. Enjoy!