Badminton Drop Shot Skill

The badminton drop shot is an offensive badminton skill. Its purpose is to pull the opponent to the front corners of the court, opening up a large area of their court for consequent attack. A high quality drop shot is difficult to return and has the potential of winning the play. There are two types of badminton drop shots; a slow drop shot and a fast drop shot. The main differences betweekn the two are speed, as the names indicate, and placement. A slow drop shot lands close to the net, while the fast drop shot lands farther from the net. Badminton beginners and those who have not been properly instructed may not be aware of the fast drop technique. Most simply think that to hit a drop shot is to hit the shuttle as close to the opponent's net as possible, which translates to hitting the shuttle softly. However, by hitting the shuttle softly, the slow flight of the shuttle gives the opponent time to reach the shuttle making the shot mostly ineffective. The proper technique for hitting a badminton drop shot involves the face of the racket slicing the head of the shuttle. One can slice the shuttle in a clockwise or counter-clockwise motion to either straight or crosscourt. This slicing motion allows for deceptive placements of the shuttle, because the shuttle does not necessarily fly towards the direction of the swing, it's a bit harder for the opponent to predict.

Tutorial
This tutorial shows you how to perform the badminton attacking clear using the underarm forehand and backhand stroke.

1. Preparation Phase
(pic 1 for both forehand and backhand) From a ready position, lunge forward to front of the court. Adopt the backhand grip for the underarm backhand stroke and forehand grip for the underarm forehand stroke.

2. Preloading Phase
(pic 2 for both) As you move forward to the net, make sure you raise your racket arm to the height where you're going to commence your underarm swing motion. At the same time, your wrist should be bending inwards towards your body so that you are ready to flick your wrist as you make contact with the shuttle.

3. Execution
(pic 3 for both) DO NOT perform a hard swing or a strong flick with your wrist wrist for the attacking clear. This will make you hit the shuttle pass your opponent's baseline. Remember that as you move forward, you will gather some momentum. When you perform your underarm swing, some of this momentum will be transferred into the swing. Therefore, it's important that you take this momentum into account! Avoid performing a strong swing or else the shuttle will fly out. Most of the power for the attacking clear comes from your underarm swinging motion. However in this instance, a gentle swing is sufficient to bring the shuttle to the back of the court. Use minimum wrist action to generate the power for the attacking clear. Your wrist plays an important in directing the shuttle towards the back of your opponent's court. A follow-through of the racket is very IMPORTANT. Make sure you follow-through with your swing straight towards the back of your opponent's baseline (not towards the ceiling or else

the shuttle will fly high, not low).

This allows a perfect flight trajectory of the shuttlecock.

Important Tips/Advice
1. The badminton attacking clear is usually performed from the 2 red dots at the front side of the court (mentioned above). There's no point performing the attacking clear from the middle or back of your court. Your opponent will be able to intercept your attacking clear easily.<.p> 2. Do not exert TOO MUCH strength into your underarm swing. The shuttle will fly too far and land outside. Also use minimum wrist action. Take note that as you move forward, there will be momentum. Due to this, a verygentle swing motion will be sufficient to send the shuttle to the back. When you focus less on power, you can concentrate better on accuraccy. 3. A follow-through of your swing is necessary. Make sure you perform a followthrough towards the direction of the back of the court. This lets shuttle fly forwards and not upwards (i.e. flatter trajectory). 4. Use this badminton shot wisely. Use it when you anticipate that your opponent is less likely to intercept it.

Badminton Drive
Badminton Drive shots are shots that crosses the net flatly in a horizontal trajectory. It can be played both on the forehand and backhand sides.
The drive is an attacking shot that is usually played from the sides of the court when the shuttle has fallen too low for it to be returned with a smash. The shuttle shall be between your shoulder and knee height. It is widely used in doubles as players want to keep the shuttle low. Although to a lesser extent in the singles, it is an important stroke as well. A flat and fast drive is useful in getting the shuttle behind your opponent, potentially causing them to make a weak return. You can also change your tactics and play a flat but slower drive shot that falls in the frontcourt or midcourt area. It all depends on the situation you are in and the on court positioning of your opponent. Badminton drive shot can be played diagonally crosscourt or straight down the line. Your stroking motion is similar to a sidearm throwing motion. Footwork is important as you need to shuffle or glide to your sides to make the shot.

Forehand Drive
Here are some pointers for the forehand drive: - Adopt the forehand grip. - Lead with your racket leg and side step towards the shuttle on your forehand. - Your racket foot shall be pointing towards the sideline.

- Lock your wrist and draw your racket arm back in a sidearm, backswing motion. - Your forehand grip and backswing place the racket parallel to the floor with your palm up. - Put your body weight on your racket leg as you swing your racket arm forward. - Extend your racket arm, roll your forearm over, and contact the shuttle as your wrist unlocks. - Hit the shuttle in front of your racket foot at the highest point possible. - Turn your racket inwards for cross court shots. - Racket head square to the shuttle for shots straight down the line. - Follow through naturally with your racket arm. - Shift your body weight from your racket leg to your non-racket leg. - Move back to your base position.

Backhand Drive
Here are some pointers for the backhand drive: - Adopt the backhand grip. - Lead with your non-racket leg or crossover with your racket leg to your backhand side. - Lock your wrist and draw your racket arm back in a sidearm, backswing motion. - Your backhand grip and backswing place the racket parallel to the floor with your palm down. - Put your body weight on your leading leg as you swing your racket arm forward. - Extend your racket arm, roll your forearm over, and contact the shuttle as your wrist unlocks. - Hit the shuttle in front of your leading foot at the highest point possible.

- Turn your racket inwards for cross court shots. - Racket head square to the shuttle for shots straight down the line. - Follow through naturally with your racket arm. - Shift your body weight from your leading leg to your non-leading leg. - Move back to your base position. Badminton Drive shots may not win you points outright but it can create openings for a winning shot. Equip this weapon in your arsenal...