Official Badminton

Badminton Shots

There are numerous badminton shots played throughout the average match. Shots can be played either the forehand or backhand except for the high serve which is only played as a forehand shot.

Forehand shots are made the same side as the playing hand. For example a forehand hand shot for a right handed player is his or her right side and the backhand shot is made from his or her left side. Forehand shots are played with the front of the hand leading and a backhand shot is played with the back of the hand leading. However, just to confuse matters some players play shots on the forehand side with a backhand hitting action and vice-versa!

The choice of badminton shots is dependant on how close to the net the shuttlecock is and where the opponent is standing. There are much better attacking options if the shuttlecock is above and close to the net. In the fore court a 'net kill' shot can be played by hitting a high shuttlecock steeply downwards and trying to win the rally immediately. In the mid-court the player can also try a smash shot played by hitting downwards but still causing the shuttlecock to go over the net. In "jump smashes" the player jumps upwards to produce a steeper smash angle. These spectacular jump smashes are favored by men playing doubles.

From the rear court players try and hit the shuttlecock when it is still above them. Overhead hitting enables players to use smash shots that are directed low and quickly toward an area in which the opponent is not. Clears are played by hitting the shuttlecock high and to the back of the opposition's court. Drop-shots are played so that it drops softly downwards into the opponent's fore court.

Lifts are used when the shuttlecock is below net height and is used to "lift" or hit, the shuttlecock upwards into the opponent's court. Lifts can be played from all parts of the court. An alternative to a lift is to "push" the shuttlecock gently back to the net, if played in the fore court this is known as a "net-shot" and when played in either the mid or rear court is known as a push or block shot.

Drives can be played when the shuttlecock is near to net height, these travel flat and fast over the net into the opponent's mid or rear court areas.

Of course, badminton shots are generally played with the intention of scoring. Attempt to place the shuttlecock where the opponent will find it difficult or impossible to return, while still keeping the trajectory of the shuttlecock such that it will still fall within the bounds of the opponents side of the court and still clear the net.