| If you want to improve your game, you should practice | | | | well as overhead or underarm. Regardless of exactly |
| these 8 basic techniques. Even if you just play | | | | how you use the clear, the objective is to send the |
| badminton for fun, you can always learn something | | | | shuttle to the back of the court, forcing your opponent |
| new to better your performance. | | | | back away from the net to open up the forecourt. |
| 1. Badminton Grip | | | | 5. Drop Shots |
| The right grip is your basic foundation for badminton. | | | | The drop shot is the opposite of the above mentioned |
| For more power and accuracy, make sure you are | | | | clear shot, as it is intended to drop right behind the net |
| holding the racket correctly. There are 2 main types of | | | | and force your opponent closer into the forecourt. This |
| grips: forehand and backhand. | | | | can open up space in the backcourt for your next |
| Use the forehand grip when your shots are in the front | | | | play. This move can be played either forehand or |
| of your body, and you hold your hand on the handle as | | | | backhand, and usually has a lot of wrist movement to |
| if you where shaking hands. Keep the racket face | | | | it. |
| perpendicular to the floor. | | | | 6. The Smash |
| When the shot is behind your body, you should use the | | | | The badminton smash is a powerful move that you |
| backhand racket grip. Hold the handle just like you did | | | | should strive to master. It's a downward shot that |
| for the forehand, but then turn the racket | | | | comes down steeply into your opponents fore or mid |
| counter-clockwise so your thumb is to the left. | | | | court area. For a faster smash, you can jump and |
| 2. Badminton Footwork | | | | make the shot as you some down. Your opponent will |
| Your opponent will try to keep the shuttle away from | | | | have little time to react, almost guaranteeing you the |
| you, so be prepared to move around the court quickly | | | | point. Don't overuse the smash because it will tire you |
| and accurate with good footwork. You'll need moves | | | | out. You usually use a forehand grip when doing a |
| like skipping, shuffling, gliding, lunging and even bouncing. | | | | smash. |
| It's up to you how to use them during your game. | | | | 7. The Drive |
| Always keep your knees slightly bent and ready to | | | | If the ball is too low for a smash, you can use a drive |
| move at all times. Generally stay in the mid-court area | | | | instead. The drive shot moves horizontally, rather than |
| so you can reach all corners of the court quickly. | | | | arching upward. The shuttle would just skim the top of |
| 3. Serving | | | | the net, moving either diagonally across the court or |
| You can even gain points with the right serve. There | | | | straight from your position. You're trying to get the |
| are 4 basic kinds of badminton serve: high serve, low | | | | shuttle behind your opponent, making it difficult for them |
| serve, flick serve, and the drive serve. You can | | | | to return with a good shot. |
| choose the right serve after watching your opponent. | | | | 8. Badminton Net Play |
| Serving to the back of the court with a high serve is a | | | | Net play shots are usually done with just a wrist |
| good idea if you are playing against someone who | | | | movement, and lack the power of most other |
| likes to stay close to the net, for example. | | | | techniques. The intent is to gently knock the shuttle |
| 4. Clears | | | | over the net, usually when your opponent can't reach |
| The badminton clear is the most common stroke, and | | | | the net in time to counter. Any light shot near the net is |
| it can be played from either forehand or backhand, as | | | | hard to return, especially if you get the shuttle tumbling. |