Back to Basics: Using the elbow

To me, there are two very basic things that separate an intermediate player from a beginner. I remember when I was starting out I was amazed how much of a difference it made when I attained an understanding of footwork and a proper stroke. 

I wrote a previous article about footwork that I think would be helpful for the beginner, so do take a read here.

Now, this lesson focuses on using a proper arm swing technique to get the most out of your shots. Like I say to some of the players I meet, you have to pretend like you're using your arm to throw the shuttle; that way you will notice that you're naturally using your elbow to launch the forearm out. 

Above: Taufik prepares to throw that elbow 

out for one of his famous backhands.

(Source: Google Images)

Apply that to your swing and you'll have a three-step process to get more power into your overheads:

1. Throw the elbow out - this primes the forearm to its launch forward and makes full use of the elasticity of the muscles. For the intermediates, you'll also want to start your hip rotation here and really get that twist starting. 

2. Extend the forearm - pivot the forearm on the elbow and swing it forward like a trebuchet, using the natural angle of the arm to maximize the motion. Take note not to throw the shoulder out at this stage - you'll end up with an overextended hit that more likely drags the shuttle down to the ground. For the intermediates, you'll complete the hip rotation at this point and move on to twisting your upper body around for the extra boost. 

3. Insert the power - turn the wrist and add that grip at the moment of impact to snap all that kinetic energy into one single moment. You'll hear a very resounding whip followed by a loud snap of the shuttle flying off the string bed. 

Whether you turn the above into a clear, drive or smash (forehand or backhand), the same technique will apply. Hitting the shuttle at different heights and angles will give you a wide variety of shots you can use to out manoeuvre the opponent. 

Practice makes perfect, and the more playtime you get on the court the closer you will get to mastering the simple art of swinging the racket. In the end it's about energy conservation - knowing how best to minimize your output while achieving maximum returns. 

I hope the lesson has been useful. Will share more tips and observations when I think of them. Happy smashing!

Basic to Basics: Juggling the Shuttle

This is a series inspired by the time I spent with a pal of mine, teaching him how to become a better player. I put together all my knowledge from the years in the sport, hoping that it'll work.

Instead of forgetting that it ever happened, I figured I make a series out of it and impart some more knowledge to visitors to the blog who want to know a little about how to become a better player.

Before we start, the obligatory copyright statement. Those who copy, shame on you.

Hey guys, found out some other site's been taking my article wholesale, so be a sport and bookmark the original site - https://everythinggoeshere.blogspot.sg

###

Ok here we go.

Back to Basics: Juggling the Shuttle

This is something I like to do while waiting for my games to start (sometimes I'm early to the court and can't wait to change into my shoes). I'd pick up a shuttle from the tube and start juggling, keeping the shuttle to slightly above head height and rotating between forehand and backhand grips. 

What this does is that it trains you to feel the shuttle, and also allows you to get used to the sweet spot for your racket. Over time you'll familiarize yourself with how to hit the shuttle where to get whatever shot you need from them. Juggling the shuttle also trains your patience. 

In fact I just got off a session - 1,097 hits in one go. I'm sure a lot of you out there can get more shots in than I did, but I'm really stoked when I get above 1,000. I juggle in my room - it has a bed in the middle, air conditioning and a low ceiling so I also get to train some footwork and reaction whenever the shuttle goes off course. 

So here's a few ways you can challenge yourself. The goal is always the same - juggle the shuttle for as long as you can without letting it drop to the ground.

Basic Level: Just Juggle

For beginners, you might want to start off with this one. Just pick the shuttle up and start hitting it with your racket. Change grips to suit the way you hit the shuttle, and try as much as possible to hit the shuttle on the cork instead of the feathers. 

Once you get the hang of it you'll be able to direct the shuttle to various parts of the room and get a rhythm going. 

Intermediate Level: Spinning Nets Shots

Ok so you're able to control the shuttle pretty well and can confidently hit over 500 times without fail. Another game you can try for yourself is to try and create spinning net shots for yourself and learn to regain control of the shuttle. 

Make the shuttle tumble for as much as you can, and then hit it in a way that stabilizes it and allows you to continue juggling. The on-court applications for this one is self-explanatory. For more challenge, try and stabilize the shuttle as high up as you can instead of letting the spin die out from underneath. If you don't know what I'm saying, go back to the basics ya noob.

Higher Level: Speed Juggling

You can juggle straight, backhand, forehand, spins, left to right, right to left... now what's left for you? This is a personal one that I set for myself - I've never really gotten beyond 100 for this too.

The goal is to juggle the shuttle for as fast as you can, without letting it go above shoulder height. This takes a lot of concentration, control and reaction as you have to move beyond predicting where the shuttle will go and actually plan the shots so that you'll be able to keep hitting them. When I think about it, the racket is actually moving a lot more than the shuttle is in this exercise - if done well the shuttle won't actually move more than a few inches. 

This is a fun one - try it and let me know if it's challenging for you.

Additional Variants

• Juggle the shuttle and walk around the court. Jog and run if you want more challenge, hitting the shuttle in front of you instead of above you. 
• Mix in a few trick shots. I don't like this coz a fail usually resets your score. 
• Juggle sitting down on the ground. This is exceptionally hard as well; I don't think I've ever gone beyond 200 hits. 

That's it folks. I hope you have fun trying these out. Let me know in the comments!

Back to Basics: Scrubbing the floor

This is a series inspired by the time I spent with a pal of mine, teaching him how to become a better player. I put together all my knowledge from the years in the sport, hoping that it'll work.

Instead of forgetting that it ever happened, I figured I make a series out of it and impart some more knowledge to visitors to the blog who want to know a little about how to become a better player.

Before we start, the obligatory copyright statement. Those who copy, shame on you.

Hey guys, found out some other site's been taking my article wholesale, so be a sport and bookmark the original site - https://everythinggoeshere.blogspot.sg

###

Ok here we go.

Back to Basics: Scrubbing the Floor

What we'll cover today is really rudimentary - bare essentials for any badminton player that I find most often neglected by players who are eager to get into the court and start hitting shuttles about.

It's not hard to smack the bird to and fro the court, but unless you get into a good position beforehand it's really hard to have the shuttle more to wherever you want it to.

So we will start with footwork.

Case in point - Chen Long or Lee Hyun Il. If you've seen those two move about the court you'll know what rock-solid footwork is like. Take moment after this article to watch those two in action and learn what you can.

My first time on court with my friend we didn't even have badminton rackets. A good player starts by knowing how to move about the court. When done right it's a dance; when untrained it's like a bull charging from one place to another, swinging wildly with all their might.

Be the matador, not the creature.

Running the 6's

The game of badminton singles is an elegant one - two opponents dancing around the court, placing the shuttle with accuracy in order to out maneuver each other. And like in any dance, footwork is key.

Shuttles are mainly placed in six points of the court - front left / right, left / right, and back left / right. In this footwork drill you'll want to reach each of the points in as stable a step as possible. Speed is not key. stability is. Remember - be the matador.

Get comfortable prancing from point to point, making sure as much as possible to run in opposite directions. That means you don't run in a straight line from front left to back right, or left to right. The best way to tire your opponents in a game is to send them in different directions, so the lateral movement has to be worked on during training.

And don't discount yourself either. Shuttles will be placed near the net during a drop shot, so move to a position where you can realistically reach the shuttle. For the back court, you have to make sure that both your feet cross the back service line. For the sides, your lunging foot should almost touch the side line.

For players with higher competencies, you can try and time your runs to make sure you get increasingly faster.


Side notes

• If you notice yourself not reaching the ends of the court consistently, you can try touching a part of the court with your racket instead. That way you can be sure that you're moving as far as realistically possible. 
• Beginner level players shouldn't worry about the stroke (I'll cover that in the next article), but instead focus on getting from point to point in as efficient a motion as possible.
• It helps to visualize an opponent in the opposite court, hitting the shuttle at you and moving you about the court. They won't make the game easy for you, so get running.
• Wear good indoor court shoes when performing the exercise on a badminton court. Using running shoes with black rubber soles will seriously scar the floor and make it dangerous for other players. Also make sure your laces are on tight. Lateral movement involves a lot of twisting and directional changes, so loose shoes may lend to a sprain. 
• For a reasonably healthy person, you have to reach at least 10 points on the court to consider it a workout. 20 if you're fit. 
• After running, don't rest. Pick up the shuttle and bounce it around, or do some service practice. 

Badminton Trick shots: when you get too much time on the court

Have you noticed that professional badminton players are throwing around a lot of trick shots lately? What used to the realm of Lin Dan and flamboyant doubles players is now becoming more and more commonplace.

When one reaches, or even surpasses their limits against their opponents, they reach a state of comfort in their game play, so much so that they're able to move and hit at their most efficient. This opens up the opportunity for the brain to channel more thoughts beyond where to hit the shuttle next.

This state of mind is, in my opinion, the best time to perform trick shots - highly technical shots made with the purpose of misleading and delaying the opponent's reaction to the shuttle.

When you're facing a tough opponent, it's almost impossible to throw off a good trick shot. The stress of the moment, coupled with the brain dominating in fast decision making processes, make it very hard for the calculated and smooth execution of a trick shot.

Turning the situation around, if you're up against an opponent you're more comfortable with, even if they are of a higher level, your mind starts to wonder what else you can do. The state of mind is then more conducive for a higher level technique. 

The above briefly states the nature of playing trick shots. Given the level of play some readers are used to, and for those aspiring to grow in technique, I will now attempt to explain some of the simpler trick shots I have managed to use with better success. 

Direction Change

This is pretty basic, and involves turning of the racket head away to sent the shuttle in the other direction. The approach should be early and obvious - "I am going to hit the shuttle in this direction." When at the next moment, having given the opponent enough time to process the information, change the destination of the shuttle.

This move is pretty easy to pull off. All you need is to be able to out your racket head forward in one direction and then change the hit to the other desired one. The other two shots are variations of the direction change, and will require a little more practice.

Pull-Back

The shot is made with less power than intended, although a large swing gives the impression of a harder hit. The best time to use this move is when you're being pushed to execute an underarm clear. The opponent will most likely expect a high and defensive clear for you to buy time. 

This move is a test of control of the shuttle. The swing forward should be made at force and speed, and then taken away the moment before the racket head makes contact to perform a dipping net shot. Care has to be taken to place the shuttle as near to the net as possible, to have the cork on a downward trajectory so as to increase the distance between the shuttle and the opponent. 

A variation of this technique is the backspin. Instead of releasing power from the shot, the momentum of the swing is transferred to the shuttle in the form of a slice to the bottom of the cork, like a backspin in a game of tennis. This produces a low-arching shot that can cut very close to teh net and dips quickly. Because of the low arch, the shuttle will most likely travel further than an outright pull-back. 

Double Draw

So you've learnt how to change directions, and you've learnt to control the amount of force you put to the racket. It's now time to take things up a notch and perform what I call a double draw, or double motion. This involves moving the racket to take the shot, and pulling back the racket head before the hit, and then changing the direction of the shuttle. 

This is a little more convincing than a regular direction change in that the player actually commits to a hit, increasing the level of deception and showmanship. The racket head will actually be traveling in the same direction as the shuttle after the draw, and that is one awesome thing to see executed well on the court. 

When age catches up

So, I have to admit that I've been slacking lately - not as many games and not as diligent during the games to play a good one. Which led me to the conclusion.

Blame age.

Convenient, but not totally baseless. As many of us has / soon will discover(ed), the grip of death and decay ruins our game on the court. Heck, we've all seen that disgraceful fall from the Hall of Fame Ivory Tower from Taufik Hidayat (check out his game against a fresh Viktor Axelsen, one of his last and most discouraging IMO).

He was such a great player. He was a legend. He got old, like all of us will no doubt do.

With that experience under my ever-expanding belt, I am obligated to share my experience. Because this blog is about my experience in badminton. And also because it's been awhile since I posted and I sort of owe the readers a short and hopefully relevant read.

So what happens to me when I grow old? 

More importantly, what happens to my game?

I found myself the Viktor to my Hidayat - an excellent specimen of a badminton player, quick on the footwork and punishing to let your guard down.

First thing that goes is always the stamina. I remember the days when I could run circles around the court for two hour sessions at a go... now I can't even last four games! One long rally is all it takes to wind me down, and the recovery is a lot longer than I had anticipated.

Next to go after your're panting and wheezing around the court is of course, accuracy. I prided myself on being quite good at this, but it seems being short of oxygen rids you of a sense of touch. Who'd have guessed? The soft touches were a tad too hard; the clears were a tad too wide; the smashes were wildly ineffective both in power and angle.

And when both stamina and accuracy go, all that's left is to bring in the clowns. Pride is the final pillar of a badminton player, and when that goes we're just left to watch the crowd go home. Nothing beats the sheer disappointment of having to finish a game you have no chance of winning, or trying every tactic you have up your sleeves and realizing that it's too sheer a wall to climb.

So what do I do to win?

Because kidnapping his parents and demanding he lose to me is a little drastic, for now.

The first thing I did was to realize my limits. I knew that all he had to do was to wear this old man and his knobbly knees down. A few long rallies at the get-go will mean an easy game for him past 15 points.

My job was to not let him have that, though it comes at a considerable risk. The plan was to take the attack at each given opportunity in order to bring the rally to an abrupt close. This involved taking very measured and accurate shots that will most likely succeed in hitting the ground.

And so that's what I did.

The result?

Very good findings were reported from the first two games, but once the kid got in a few long rallies it was all downhill. The shots became harder to hit and the intimidation of a constantly attacking tall guy gradually faded into something less scary than a fluffy kitten on catnip.

It boiled down to a game of determination and sheer gut. The boy was no longer my opponent - the side lines, net and increasing expanding badminton were. Once I got that out of my head, it meant a higher chance of victory.

So all in all I guess it still boils down to training and consistency. When I first started being very involved in the game of badminton I trained hard on technique and footwork. I wanted to be better at making shots and better at knowing what shots to make. I devised tactics and strategies for keeping the game fresh and for handling different types of opponents.

Now that all this is sort of in the bag, I have to now revisit the earlier periods of intense training to include upping my physical endurance and cardiovascular vitality. Because in the end no matter how skilled you may be, you're bound to suck once you run out of energy.

So that, my dear readers, is my reflection on growing old as a badminton player.

Oh, and not to forget - the muscles screaming for release the morning after. God bless the massage industry.

Playing the winning shot

Here's something that every player will be very familiar with. And most often it'll be a fatal mistake.

Listen.

Ever made that wonderful shot and see the look on your opponent's face as you catch them off-guard? They react a little slower, but desperately shuffle towards the falling shuttle. They reach out, and it seems like the point is yours. 

Confidently you let down your guard and start walking, locking your knees as you prepare for the next point. 

Then the shuttle comes back. A sharp net drop as your opponent's racket barely scrapes the skin of the shuttle.

Irony.

So I guess the moral of the story is, to never let down your guard until you see the shuttle touch the ground. It's a matter of discipline as well as respect to our opponents that we continue the fight until the point is truly won.

I can't count the number of times I've done this myself, overcome by confidence in my shot that I drop my own guard and let the opponent's fighting spirit steal the point. 

So fight hard, fight on, and win a deserved battle. 

All the best for your games!

It's all in your mind.

I love the game of badminton. Ever since I decided to take the sport a little more seriously and get a coach to work on the technique, I've been wanting to find out more about the sport and how to play it better.

Heck, that's the exact reason why I started this blog - to explore the wonderful sport and see how else I can get more fun out of it. I've been fortunate to share this joy with many friends and avid supporters from all over the world, and I must say I am truly blessed to share and hear from the fans.

In the course of the game, I've had experiences where I suddenly grasp a certain concept to the game - how to perform a slice smash, how to make my smashes stronger, how to get a bit more distance from my backhand.

Each and every time, I'll take the lesson and give it a few more tries on the court to make sure that the theory works. And when I found that it did, I'll keep at it until I get it in my system. It's taken awhile longer to get those epiphanies and also to get them indoctrinated due to my lack of rrequent playing, but it's always a good feeling when I learn something else new.

I was on the courts in a singles game last Saturday, and I was missing the left corner of my opponents' court badly. I was putting the shuttle out hit after hit, and it was getting a little frustrating. 

Then a great shot came, and it left me wondering how I finally managed to pull it off. I remembered that at the moment of swinging, I was consciously telling myself to take this shot calmly and not put in too much of a swing. 

So I gave this approach a try, and honest-to-truth it worked!

Each time I was presented with a shot, I would concentrate willingly on where I wanted to put it, and how I wanted it to travel. I told myself that I shouldn't put too much strength into the swing, no matter how far I wanted it to travel. 

The end result of a carefully calculated shot can be amazing, and I'm glad I took the time to discover and try it out.

It may sound simple enough, and a lot of players out there may already be able to hit the courts accurately without psyching yourself up, but I hope those that those who still throw off wild shots give this method a try.

It's simple, yet agonizingly hard to do.

Let me know how it goes. 

How are your drop shots today?

So I welcomed myself back onto the courts by with a three-hour session today - an hour of singles followed by two gruelling hours of doubles. Found out that my shot quality has improved somewhat from about two weeks ago, and my stamina isn't even half of what it used to be.

Gone are the attacking shots as well, the smashes were either too flat and prone to counter drives, or they just refuse to not hit the net.

It'll be a few more sessions before I get my game back on I reckon.

But one thing I did do right - tight net shots. Won quite a few points with a couple of well placed shots, and decided to share my experience with tight net shots.

Are you hitting the right net shots?

I'm a fan of the well executed tight net shot - shuttle spinning, feathers twisting and turning in the air - but how important is it to have a professional level tight net shot? Often times we attempt a high-level spin for a low-risk shot, increasing the chances for our opponents to win the point from an unforced error.

There are several kinds of net shots. There's the crowd favorite, the tight spinning net shot; there's the very annoying vertical drop net shot; there's the crosscourt slice, and there's the extremely underrated block to the net.

Of course there're also the trick shots, but I'll leave you to discover and invent those for yourself.

From the kinds of net shots listed, you pick which ones to use for the right shot, considering the risk you're put against, to set up an attack or even downright win the point.

A tight spinning net shot is used when you've got ample time to set yourself up for the spin. Since it takes a lot of momentum out of the shuttle, catching it at a good height it crucial in executing a proper tight spinning het shot.

When your opponent sets their position further back, or if they've chose a net shot to save themselves from the deep back court, you should attempt the vertical drop shot. This involves pulling the racket head upwards as the shuttle comes into contact. This results in the shuttle flipping over towards the opponent once before assuming a vertical plunge to the ground. The lack of the curved trajectory and the close distance to the net makes it harder to predict and lift.

If you're feeling adventurous, you might even want to give the cross court slice a try. This involves a quick twist of the wrist to slide shuttle across the net. This results in a very tight and sudden shot. There's a significant risk in cutting it too little and having to watch the shuttle slide down your side of the court, but when you do pull one of these off, it'll be quite the sight.

Last but not least, a simple block to the net provides for a set up for the back player, and also if the shuttle is put far back enough, a wayward net shot from your opponent. When you do block to the net, be sure to be be prepared for a followup tap or tight spinning net shot. You might also want to attempt the cross court slice.

The crux of a good net shot is to have the shuttle go over the net. Proper use of the wrist while execution determines the quality of the net shot. If you're not going to use your wrist for a net shot, be prepared for a couple of point-blank finishers by your opponent. Practice juggle and making the shuttle spin and stop at will, and you'll be on your way to controlling the front court in no time.

Loosen your grip, take the plunge, and let creativity drive your shots home.

Badminton Technique: Counting Four

I had a conversation with a friend over dinner about how we can minimise the effort that we spend on court to get the same performance.

This is important because when it comes to the long-drawn rallies, it'll really come down to who can do the most with the least energy.

Here's a technique that I use personally to get the most out of my time on court. It involves knowing when you can walk and when you have to run to get into position.

Before I start however, you'll need to know a bit about the defensive technique of clearing and drop shots. I've written a few articles about badminton strategies so you can browse around using the labels on the right side of your page.

Once you have a pretty good idea of how you can move an opponent around with flat clears and how you can buy time for yourself with high clears, you're ready to start bringing that knowledge to the court.

Take a few games and get familiar with the kind of strokes you like to do, and generally how long it takes for the shuttle to reach the opponent's racket. Once you've got yourself a good sense of the timing involved, you're ready to start Counting Four.

The rules are simple - badminton footwork is like dancing. I take it in counts of four and eight, allowing myself three counts to get to the shuttle, and the fourth to hit.

Once you get to four, you'll need to start moving to the centre, using the first of the next series of four to get into the general direction.

On the second count of the second set, your opponent would have hit the shuttle. That's when you adjust your movement and take out the next three steps of the second set.

You adjust the speed of the count according to how fast the game is going. Use the rhythm to keep you on your toes and get to where you want to go.

Do take note that this technique is more likely to be applied when you're on the offensive or when the game is neutral. Defensive play might involve shortening the counts to three or two, until you're able to extend the counts with a good lift.

Basically, the last counts of the set are when you're hitting the shuttle. Reset the count and establish a steady beat to keep your mind and body in the game.

Happy shuttling!

Offensive Badminton Strategies: Taking the Net

Welcome to another lesson in badminton strategies.

It's been awhile since I've gotten to writing these, so I thought I'd take some time to refresh my tactics and strategies myself. You'll never be at a disadvantage if you've got knowledge, and besides the game is so much better when both sides are battling with mind as well as technique.

I've read some of the stuff on the internet, tried them out and added my little touch to it for your perusal. I've even added in names to make them easier to remember!

This is the sixth and final part of the Badminton Strategies segment. After this we'll move on to the higher level stuff: Tactics.

If you read the overview you'll understand that I term Offensive Strategies as the point-scoring elements of your game. They consist of faster moves and may sometimes demand more concentration and accuracy than the defensive ones we've talked about earlier. You're also opening yourself up to counter attacks, so you might really want to use these as a calculated risk.

The payload is a spectacular smash finish to win the point.

The second offensive strategy I'll touch on is crucial in the game of singles, and is a common one employed by masterful shuttler Taufik Hidayat - Taking the Net.

If you feel like you've got the touch (well, at least better than your opponent anyway), you'll want to move your base position slightly forward to capture the front court area. Doing this will allow you to demand lifts from the opponent whenever you want to.

When executing tight net shots, there are two main methods - spin and drops.

The spinning net shot is when you brush the shuttle with an opposite force of its decent into your racket, making the return shot spin, reducing speed drastically and making it hard for the opponent to give a good return. A well-executed spinning net shot will tumble and turn, recovering well below the tape and forcing a lift from the opponent.

You will want to use the spinning net shot when your opponent is considerably ready to receive your shots. If he's standing at the base position, ready to split step and pounce on a loose shot, make him wait and stretch with a tight spinning net shot. The tumble and receive below the tape will eliminate the advantage he has by being ready in base position.

The other kind of net shot you'll want to practice is the drop net shot. These are hit with an upward sweeping motion so that the shot produced causes the shuttle to arch high upwards and drop vertically down with speed. These may not be as sexy as their spinning counterparts, but used well, the drop net shot can be very tight and close to the net. It's also hard for the opponent to judge how far the shuttle will arch before dropping vertically down.

The drop net shot is used when your opponent has quite some ground to cover, usually when he committed to a offensive shot from the back court. The relatively faster shuttle of the drop net shot as compared to the spinning one plays very nicely to this situation, allowing you to turn your defense into a chance for a short lift and smash finish.

For the strategy to work, you'll have to demonstrate that you're ready to pounce on any loose net shot that he's willing to execute. Stay upfront with your racket up, and watch the shuttle like a hawk. Once he's had a taste of your net kill, he'll stray away from the net and move his base backwards.

And when that happens, he's left with fewer attacking options and opens himself to the drop net shot.

If he comes to the front, he faces a net kill following a tight net shot. If he plays long, he'll have trouble following the attacks because of your drop net shot.

Limit his options, win the game.

Coming up next, Badminton Tactics.

Offensive Badminton Strategies: Ground N Pound

Welcome to another lesson in badminton strategies.

I've read some of the stuff on the internet, tried them out and added my little touch to it for your perusal. I've even added in names to make them easier to remember!

This is part five of the Badminton Strategies segment. It'll be six parts in all, sans the overview.

If you read the overview you'll understand that I term Offensive Strategies as the point-scoring elements of your game. They consist of faster moves and may sometimes demand more concentration and accuracy than the defensive ones we've talked about before. One more thing about offensive strategies is that they use up more energy quicker, so every shot counts more than ever.

However, using these tactics well will open yourself to more opportunities to the powerful smash finish, and that's always a nice way to regain some confidence and energy.

The first offensive strategy I'll touch on is one often employed by my favorite tactician, Peter Hoeg Gade - the Ground N Pound.

Most players like to smash. Winning the point with a well-timed power play can intimidate the opponent while giving you a substantial confidence boost. For some players, their smashing technique has been worked on from day one, increasing in power and speed, often at the cost of their defense or movement speed.

When you realize you've facing an opponent who prides himself on his smash to the extent that he's neglecting the recover or defense, this is a strategy you might want to employ. 

How can a strategy meant to counter heavy smashers be termed offensive? Well, this is because you have to take the offense to the guy before he has a chance to bring it to you.

To do this, we'll have to rely on a few things - tight net play, fast drops, and offensive flat clears. I've covered a little about flat clears in my post on Punch Clears a while back.

By forcing the opponent to constantly taking the shuttle from below the net, you successfully eliminate the threat of his hay maker smashes. Do this by moving him around the court with fast drops and flat clears and forcing him to commit to tight net play. Once you get the short lift, you can land in a smash of your own, or if the lifts are decent enough, you can resume the fast drops or flat clears.

Fast Drops are easier to execute than you think. Assuming you can get your smashes down the other side at least 9 out 10 times, all you have to do is assume a smashing stroke, and at the last moment release the tightness on the grip to have the shuttle cut down sharply and steeply. It'll probably land slightly after the service line, but the point is to get a sharp angle and a fast speed so you can move the opponent around and force a short lift or tight net shot.

Tight Net Shots should be played with a loose grip on the racket handle. The index finger, thumb, and wrist should be the primary sources of movement and power here. For a nice spinning net shot, you'll want to catch the shuttle while your racket head moves in a J shape. There are plenty of videos on the internet to demonstrate this. 

A Short Lift is any lift that falls into the mid-court and is susceptible to a jump smash finish from you. If it's too far from the net and you can't get into place fast enough, attempt a flat clear or a repeat fast drop so as not to give the point away by hitting net.

Frustrated smashers may also straight out give you points by forcing a smash on your flat clears and taking the net out. 

Keep him grounded long enough and you'll have more than enough chances to pound him down.

Coming up next, Offensive Strategies - Taking the Net

Badminton Training: Using the Finger

Just watched an insightful video on how to use the finger and the variation in the wrist to make quicker and sharper moves.

When used well, the technique also increases the power in your shots.

This could be the missing element that I've been searching for in my backhand strokes.

Also learnt some exercises that I can use to increase the dexterity of my wrist. Depending on the situation, all it takes is a little squeeze or a flick of the index finger or thumb to get that shot in a totally different direction.

Sometimes it's good to sit back and do some research. It all stems from the spirit of inquiry - questioning how things can be done better.

Looks like I'll have something more than rackets to test out over the weekend.

Defensive Badminton Strategies: The Chisel

Welcome to another lesson in badminton strategies.

I've read some of the stuff on the internet, tried them out and added my little touch to it for your perusal. I've even added in names to make them easier to remember!

This is part four of the Badminton Strategies segment. It'll be 6 parts in all, sans the overview.

If you read the overview you'll understand that I term Defensive Strategies as a way to really drag the game on and make the opponent give you the points through unforced errors or sheer impatience. Not to say that this mode of playing isn't fun!

When you've got control of both your opponent's mind and physique, it gets really interesting. This time round we work something that, in my opinion, is the hardest of all the master - patience. I call this one The Chisel.

It's named such because constructing a rally in a game of badminton is kind of like a sculptor working on his masterpiece. You take one small, small hit from the marble and then you take another, and another, and another till you're left with one hell of a work of art.

One impatient strike is all it takes to crack that stone in half.

Remember the Triangle Principle? Now, use that, and then forget about winning the point. The whole aim of this strategy is to let your opponent expand as much energy as possible.

Use the long-drawn rallies to evaluate his playing style - is he hitting more towards your left or right? How fast are his drop shots? Does he like to smash left or right? How about taking risks? Will he compromise his balance to get a powerful smash in? Is he better at forehand or backhand defense?

It's a game patience where you probably have to give in as much as your opponent and see who ends up with the least stamina in the end. Truly a double-edged sword, but if you're confident that you've got better control and footwork than your opponent, go ahead and try this one.

Because no matter how fit your opponent is, something's gotta give. And trust me when I say the game goes to the thinking player.

Coming up next, we've got offensive strategies. They're the ones who tend to increase the pace of the game and create a sizable gap between the points.

I'll start with one of the classics from my favorite Men's Single's player, Peter Hoeg Gade - the Ground N Pound.

Defensive Badminton Strategies: Punch Clear

Welcome to another lesson in badminton strategies. I've read some of the stuff on the internet, tried them out and added my little touch to it for your perusal. I've even added in names to make them easier to remember!

This is part three of the Badminton Strategies segment. It'll be 6 parts in all, sans the overview.

If you read the overview you'll understand that I term Defensive Strategies as a way to really drag the game on and make the opponent give you the points through unforced errors or sheer impatience.

Not to say that this mode of playing isn't fun! When you've got control of both your opponent's mind and physique, it gets really interesting.

Today we'll touch on one of those brainless, but strangely wise, strategies - the Punch Clear.

Taking into account the triangle principle that I've covered briefly in the previous strategies articles, the Punch Clear employs the almost exclusive use of back-court clears to move your opponent.

For this to happen, you'll firstly need to be able to send the shuttle accurately to the left or right of the court without giving the point away either with a short clear or by rocketing the shuttle out of the court.

There are two kinds of clears that we'll touch on for the Punch Clear - the Flat Clear and the High Clear.

High Clear - use this to buy you some time to recover to the middle when you've been caught in a fix by a good back-court smash. Once you've got the hang of the game, however, the high clear is used to deceive the opponent in thinking that the shuttle's outward-bound. It sounds risky, but trust me it'll come easy once you've got the right feel.

Flat Clear - this higher-risk move takes your shot into the offensive, used to force faster movement from the opponent in order to reach the shuttle in time. This kind of clear is just out of reach of check smash interception and travels at a considerably faster speed than the lather.

Take note however, that because of the straighter trajectory, the shuttle tends to lose control and sail out more often.

Now that you've got a little knowledge of the two kinds of clears that we'll use in the Punch Clear, how do you use them?

Easy! Use High Clears to tempt the smash or establish a rhythm, use Flat Clears to move the opponent and create a little pressure. Left, right, left, right, right, right, left, left, right, left... you get the drift. Oh, and clear centre when in trouble.

Once your opponent gets bored of your ineffective offensive he'll start raining them smashes or playing the drop shots. Block with Defensive Roulette or punch more clears to the back court after the drop.

Trust me, he'll get bored and end up handing you the game. This strategy takes patience and very good judgement to keep the shuttle in play. Two things should go through the opponent's mind when they're at the mercy of the Punch Clear:

1. How come his shots are always inside the backlines?
2. Maybe I can smash this one down to win the point.

I'd recommend this strategy at the beginning the game to set a slower pace and to test the accuracy of your opponent. It'll be a nice way to hide your smashes and net shots too, what with you going in with nothing but clears.

Coming up next, Defensive Strategies - The Chisel.

Basic Badminton Strategies: Defensive Roulette

The game of badminton has changed quite a bit. From the 15-point system to the current 21-point one, a lot of emphasis has now been put on offense and the hay-maker smash.

Because of this trend, more and more players and their rackets have skewed towards the stiff, head-heavy orientation. Winning the game becomes a game of who can smash harder and faster instead of the more gentlemanly approach of maneuverability and tactics.

And because of this style of play, a lot of players are finding it hard to defend against their opponents. A good defense is vital if you're to play a good game. Not just because you'll present a solid obstacle for your opponent's main point-winning strategy (to smash your face in), but also to convert the defensive shots into opportunities that you can use to get in your very own face-breaker.

Defensive Roulette takes into premise the need to focus your attention to channeling the smashes to directions other than DIRECTLY AT THE SMASHER. Not only does this disrupt the rhythm of their attack, it may at times steal their second smash right from under their noses.

Keep in mind the Triangle Principle, and calm yourself down before you take the shuttle to an advantageous corner away from the attacker.

And always remember to do that split step!

General strategies are the precursor to the offensive or defensive ones, so use these well and you'll be setting yourself up for a combo sooner than you think.

Coming up next: Defensive Strategies - Punch Clear.

Basic Badminton Strategies: The Classic

Let's get right on it shall we? I've previously mentioned that these are the bread and butter of the game, with their purpose built around the core principles of badminton.

Always have these at the back of your mind. They'll help you guide your shots and make it harder for your opponent to move you around the court.

I'll start with The Classic. This one's pretty simple, and a lot of us will have some semblance of it in our gameplay. The problem is that sometimes its so obvious that we stop committing ourselves to putting in the best shot possible.

For example, if you've already being moved around like a headless chicken, you'd probably not want to try that overhear crosscourt clear from the backhand corner.

The Classic is simple in theory - put the ball where the opponent isn't. It's not attacking, it's more of placing the shots carefully so you can get enough about the opponent to ascertain their strengths and weaknesses.

In practice, The Classic gets a little tougher. We'll need to use this thing called the Triangle Principle.

The longest distance between two points on the court is always right across. From backhand corner to forehand front corner or vice versa.

However, add in the fact that it's also easier to dash in a straight line, and you're suddenly given another alternative - the immediate opposing side of your target corner.

It takes more energy to stop as dash again, so forcing your opponent to make adjustments to their movements is a good way of moving then around.

Add this fact into The Classic, and you're suddenly more in control.

General strategies are the precursor to the offensive or defensive ones, so use these well and you'll be setting yourself up for a combo sooner than you think.

Coming up next: Basic Strategies - Defensive Roulette.

Badminton Strategies: an overview

It's time to play the game! Whahahahaa

Anyone who watches any sports will know that it takes both brain and brawn to play a winning game.

With the brain, you conceive the moves and power plays to disorientate and trick your opponent. With the brawn, you carry out those moves easier.

That said, each athlete is a different person, and so varying moves will cause different levels of effect - Ken's good at kicks, Ryu's good at punches.

While it might not always work out, it's always good to go into a game with a set of game plans, something you can turn on and off according to how your opponent's playing.

Remember, you're not the only one with brains. You just need to be the one who uses it more.

Strategies, as I have said, are the overall game plan that aim to have a physical and mental effect on the opponent.

In the game of badminton, you're often left with very little time to make decisions, so having these at the back of your head helps when you need to come up with something to counter whatever your opponents throw at you.

I've divided my set of strategies into Basic, Defensive, and Offensive ones.

Basic strategies tend to be in effect throughout the game, and they are based on the most basic principles of the sport. Use them always.

Defensive strategies are used to play a slower game and force your opponents into an error. Use when you find yourself out-paced or in need of recovering some energy.

Offensive strategies use more energy than the rest, and you'll also need a lot more concentration to carry them out. But they're also the fastest way to get points.

One thing in common with all of them though - they're used to establish dominance in a specific area of gameplay. Once that's set, your opponent will be more careful in those areas, making them more prone to mistakes and also limiting their choice of shots.

Next up, general strategies. Keep posted.

Badminton Strategies and Tactics: an overview

I've always been amazed when I watch Peter Gade play the game of badminton.

The commentators say he's a master tactician, but you'll never know until you've watched a series of his games in succession.

From one game to another, Gade employs a myriad of strategies for different opponents - moving and forcing them into corners before delivering the coup de grace.

Taking him as an inspiration, I've slowed my game down and taken note of the various kinds of games I tend to, or could stand to, play.

I've roughly categorized these into two broad terms: Strategies and Tactics.

The first is the overall game plan, and it comes with a desired result in the physical and mental state of the opponent.

Tactics are like special moves in a fighting game that helps you get that big point in - moves and tricks that helps you attain your strategy's goal.

I'll leave it at that for a moment. Take some time to think about your own strategies and tactics. How many do you have? How many do you use in a game? Who do you use it against?

All very useful questions.