Badminton Skills
SERVE
Position yourself so your side is to the net. Your non-dominant side is closest to the net.
Hold the shuttle (non dominant hand) just below shoulder height.
Your dominant arm extended back (holding racket) with weight on the back foot.
Drop shuttle.
Shift weight forward, and swing racket downward and forward.
Keep wrist your wrist in a cocked position until the shuttle is contacted.
Continue to move your body forward.
Racket should contact the shuttle at a low level below knee.
Follow-through with a strong wrist snap upon contact.
Quickly assume a ready position to return the shot from your opponent.
CLEARS
Underhand
Same motion as the serve.
Overhead
Anticipate; take the racket into the back scratching position, with weight on the back foot.
Hit the shuttle with a fully extended arm swing.
Snap the wrist to increase the strength of the shot.
The face of the racket is open so that the shuttle will return with a deep and long arch.
Continue the transfer of weight forward with a smooth follow-through.
SMASH
The motion is the same as the overhead clear except the face of the racket is closed and the shuttle is usually hit when the shuttle is in front of the body
DRIVES
This is a quick hit with not much arc.
It is like a "line drive" in baseball.
The racket contacts the shuttle in a straight up and down position so the flight is straight.
Lead the movement with the elbow.
Hit the shuttle with the wrist cocked.
DROP SHOTS/BLOCKS
In the drop shot the shuttle is hit so it gently drops just over the net and lands in the front of the opponents court.
The block is used as quick reflex action to a drive or smash. Just get your racket in front of the oncoming shuttle and try to return the shuttle just above the net.
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