No matter what level of badminton you’re playing, there comes a time in a game where you need to try something different to outsmart or outskill your opponent.
Perhaps the easiest and most effective way to achieve this is to inject pace or slow down the rally. This usually has the effect of causing an error from your opponent which can either result in a point or set up a kill to win the point.
So how do you effectively change the pace of the game to create a tactical advantage?
In every game there is a natural rhythm that unfolds. This depends on the skills of the players involved. So after the initial half dozen rallies, we start to see a pattern emerge in terms of pace. Typically, if left unchecked, this pace will continue throughout the game with very little variation.
A good badminton tactic by any standard is to mix up the pace enough to break this pattern and thus keep your opponents guessing and unable to adjust to your pace.
Let’s look at specific areas on the court where you can change the pace considerably.
the back court
Let’s assume here that your opponents have raised the shuttle, therefore they are giving you the attack. What are your change of pace options?
1) Slice smash – Very effective as your opponents may already be behind you waiting for “the big one”. The chopped version of your regular smash leaves the shuttle considerably shorter, which means your opponent has to stretch or move forward to play the return instead of reacting to the rhythm of your smash. The cut also considerably reduces the speed of crushing. This often causes your opponent to mistime his return, setting up an easy kill.
2) Slice drop shot – The benefits of using slice are mentioned above. Done right, this shot is very tricky because the racket is still moving fast during the shot cycle. It is the deception, along with the speed of the fall that deceives your opponent.
3) Check smash: Li Yongbo, the great Chinese player and now head coach of the Chinese national team, was one of the greatest exponents of this particular hit. His costume was amazing. “Controlling” the racket at the last possible second tricks your opponent into waiting for the big hit. therefore, they shift his weight onto his heels. Shifting your body weight forward to return the check smash is very difficult and can easily result in a missed or missed shot.
4) Very high clearance: Susi Susanti, Indonesia’s great individual player, was brilliant at using height to her advantage. Most of the time we clear the shuttle at a standard height. If the room allows it, try to clear the shuttle with a lot more height. The increased wait time and large vertical drop make the return very difficult to time well. The wait alone helps break the pace of the game.
5) Clear Hit: Occasionally, your opponents, in their desire to attack, will move their base forward, leaving a gap in the back. A good clear shot, injecting rhythm into the game can really get them.
the middle court
Usually, if you’re playing midcourt shots, the game is flat or you may be picking up the shuttle after a push from your opponent. Here are some options for you.
1) Very high elevation to back court. Again, use considerable height if the aisle allows so that the shuttle takes much longer to land in your opponents’ hitting zone. The wait for the shuttle is really unpleasant and gives you time to recover. The vertical trajectory of the shuttle is very difficult to achieve.
2) Drive to the back corners of the court. If you hold power until the last second, this shot is very effective. But, you need to dress up to get it right. The sudden injection of pace and direction can make this hit a hit.
3) In doubles, the standard net block is an early return. Martin Dew, a former England Badminton International player, used to play a particularly effective shot here where he literally “dragged” the shuttle into the net. This is a very tricky shot where opponents expect a fast pace and are suddenly left running towards the net only to be met with a rapidly falling shuttlecock.
4) Finally, from a low midcourt position, this last option for you requires a high level of manual skill to carry it out. Let’s say you’re picking up the low ruffle on your right side. Open the racket face as if you were playing the shuttle to the net on the right hand side. At the last second, move your hand, close the racket face, and inject some rhythm into the shuttle and send it across the net. Your opponent will anticipate the direct return and move towards this area of the court. It is very difficult to suddenly change direction and cover a quick and short answer.
the esplanade
In this area, your opponent’s expectations will depend on whether the shuttle is high above the net waiting to be removed, or just below the height of the net. Let’s break down these areas and give a couple of examples.
shuttle over the net
1) These are the “kill” shots not to be missed. But, in first-class doubles, the shuttle keeps coming back. So, let’s start with the “old classic” where your opponent is hoping for the kill, a hard hit, and at the last second, you stop your racket and hit the shuttlecock over the net. Getting into the rhythm of the shuttle is unexpected and usually catches your opponent flat-footed.
2) From a classic attacking position, your partner has created a rising midfielder opportunity for you at the net. The easiest shot is to kill the shuttle and win the point that is preferable. But, you might want to recheck smash to add that element of surprise and rhythm that can be just as effective and winning too.
Shuttle below net height
OK, we’re in high-skill territory here.
1) Nora Perry, the English badminton legend, used to play a beautiful backhand stroke in which she would take a slightly longer backstroke before smoothly taking the full rhythm of the shuttle, slightly cutting the shuttle and delivering the net shot straight with more exquisite turn that won it. so many points
2) Whichever side the shuttle is on, wait until the last second as if you were about to play a shot straight into the net. Just as you’re about to hit the shuttle, turn your hand around and send the shuttle across the court with a little more speed.
I’ve covered a number of scenarios here, but there are always more. Try them in your next game and see for yourself what response you get.
Invariably, the most attacking side should win a match, but that doesn’t mean they hit the hardest. You can attack with or without rhythm, and usually the winning shot follows a change of pace.
The more you can break your opponents’ rhythm of play, the more you will alter your game and find bugs. Understand this and add it to your bible of tactics. It will help you win more games.
Feel free to visit my blog (detailed URL below) to comment my thoughts here. Add some scenarios of your own as well, as this article was not written with the intention of listing all possible move combinations.
I’m sure you’ll find something here that will up your game, no matter what standard you’re playing. Some of these shots require extremely high skill, especially the ability to “hold” the shot until the last second. For this, you need to master the use of your hands well and have extremely fast grip changes.
