A shot used to drive your opponent away from
the net or forecourt or to slow the game. The
bird should fly above the opponent’s reach
and fall within one foot of the baseline.
Drive
A flat shot kept as low as possible and
is second only to the smash as an attacking
shot.
Drive (flick) – a quick snap of the wrist in the
backhand grip with the bird held directly in
front of the body. The bird travels in a direct
line at the rreceiver.
Smash
An attacking shot made at the limit of one’s
upward reach and slightly in front of the
shoulder. At the moment of contact, the arm
and wrist come down forcibly.
Drop
Any shot that drops immediately after crossing
the net. The descent of the bird is controlled
with little follow-through.
Net-drop
Any shot played as near to the net as possible,
controlled by wrist and forearm. The hairpin
shot is an example of a net shot.
Additional Info...
All the basic shots (clear, smash, drop, drive and
serve) can be played as backhands, both in
defensive play and play at the net. The
backhand is always the second best option from
the back boundary line (as an overhand shot),
and the forehand should be played whenever
possible (left-of-head shot).
The backhand has less precision and power,
although the backhand clear, smash and drop
are among the most technically demanding
shots in badminton. The backhand can be very
effective in the front of the court as a defensive
shot, when the player is standing either in the
center of the court or lunges to the net.
Hitting Areas
The hitting areas in which the player can reach the shuttle most easily can be roughly
divided into the forehand and backhand. In these overlapping areas, the player must
decide whether to play a forehand or backhand.
In the forehand…
• the shuttle is hit with the front of the racket, it is almost an extension of the palm of
the hand.
