Badminton, which many Italians still call badminton, is a fun sport but it is also a wonderful opportunity for physical exercise. To be a great badminton player, you will need to have lightning fast feet, remarkable technique and strategic playing vision. If you already know how to play badminton but just want to improve, you need to try to put your strengths to good use and take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses. So if you want to play badminton better, just follow these simple steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Master the Fundamentals
Step 1. Always try to hit the center of the shuttlecock (from now on we will call it shuttle, short for shuttlecock as the object of the game is internationally defined; but in some countries they call it more confidentially birdie)
You always have to try to hit the curved and rubbery part, what players call the "sweet spot" (perhaps because it looks like a candy) and you have to do it every time you are about to hit. You can improve on this technique by trying to focus your eye on the center of the shuttle each time you hit it with the racket above your head.
Step 2. Hit the shuttle when it is at the top of its dish
To fully benefit from the shuttle's height and speed, you must hit it at the highest point of its trajectory. This will allow you a powerful and precise shot while always keeping its position under control. Do not wait for it to hit you, you will miss the moment or the right height to deliver your blow.
Step 3. Always return to the exact center of the field
Never get out of position once you hit the shuttle and wait for your opponent to respond. Earn the center of the field immediately. This will make it difficult for your opponent who will not have a free field towards which to direct his shot. Staying in the center of the field will allow you to cover all the playing territory well to prepare yourself properly for the next shot.
Step 4. Hit the shuttle close to the end line
Hitting the shuttle in that position will grant you precision and power, and will force your opponent to back off making a considerable effort to respond to your shot and bring the shuttle back to your court. If you are unsure of where you will be able to hit the shuttle and the back line is at your disposal, try heading to that area and try to hit from there. Try to shoot just before the baseline to avoid any possibility of a foul being challenged.
Step 5. Practice ground movement
Badminton is a bit like tennis - the key to your game's success lies in your movement. If you are motionless on the pitch you will never find the ideal position to hit in the best way. Move constantly, always try to stay in motion even when you are waiting for your opponent to return by moving your feet back and forth, or sideways, or even with small hops: this attitude will always keep you in the right tension to hit the shuttle effectively. This game is not for lazy people: and don't rely too much on the strength of your arm or the quality of the movement of your wrist. The difference is made by the movement of the feet and the way they accompany you to hit the shuttle in the ideal position.
Step 6. Practice on the short serve
Whether you play singles or doubles, a short or dull serve will put your opponent in trouble. This is usually a little used shot: your opponent may not be ready, may not be able to respond adequately. For a good short serve you don't have to hit the shuttle flat or just push it across the field. You have to look for a high point of impact with the shuttle and hit it early rather than letting the racket move all the way. Practice by jumping and cutting the serve by finding the right effect.
Step 7. Practice long serve for singles
In individual matches, opening the game with a long serve often puts the opponent in difficulty. For sure he will be waiting for the shuttle in the center of the field, in the control position, but if you manage to bypass him with your best dish, he may fail to answer or not give it enough power. To perform a long serve, let the shuttle arrive in front of you and strike with the swing of the racket and a large movement of the shoulder in such a way as to generate a sort of 'accompaniment' that takes the shuttle beyond the central part of the court.
Step 8. Never give up
Always try to hit and return the shuttle to the opponent's field in any way and manner. Sometimes the effect of your shot, however unintentional, will be so surprising that it could be your opponent who gets beaten in that spot.
Method 2 of 3: Take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses
Step 1. Try to understand your opponent's game
When you face an opponent you don't know, whether it's a friendly or competitive match, you need to try to identify their style of play from the moment of warm-up. You have to look at a few basic details. If he is an aggressive or defensive player, if the forehand or the backhand prevails in his type of play and obviously his possible weaknesses such as a weak or slow footwork and his ability to respond to your best shots.
Step 2. Force your opponent to make a great move on the pitch
Don't send all your shots in the same sector, make sure that he runs and that he can't interpret what your next shot will be. Instead, mix up your strategy, alternating drop shots and powerful baseline shots or forcing him to move from one side of his territory to the other with slow but placed shots. Getting him back from the net to the back of the field is a great strategy especially if he has a weak footwork.
Step 3. Invite him to play backhand often
Many players are weaker on this shot so test his skills and see how he responds. If you see that he is in trouble, always insist on his backhand.
Step 4. Try a short shot
When you are on the subnet, just send the shuttle to the other side of the field, just over the net. This will force your opponent to gasp and weaken their defense. Learning this shot is especially important if your opponent plays a lot from the baseline.
Step 5. Try changing the direction of the shuttle
If your opponent shoots at you, strike in order to shift the direction of the shuttle, perhaps immediately behind him. This is an effective hit especially when the shuttle is hit at its point of maximum arc. If you are quick in footwork, you will be able to change the direction of the shuttle quickly without giving your opponent enough reaction time.
Step 6. Hit a drop shot followed by a shot aimed at the baseline
Once you master the drop shot, use it often and force your opponent to move around a lot across his pitch. Then, when he least expects it, hit so that the shuttle rains on him at the headland. He will be forced to be very fast and to ease his guard on the rest of the field. Besides, this is an excellent way to tire your opponent.
Step 7. Force your opponent to adapt to your style of play
If you like being in the net, play a lot with drop shots and try to make sure your opponent never gets to hit from the back of the court. If you feel more comfortable in a backward position, make long serves and answers always aimed at the back of the opponent's field so that he never has a chance to go under the net and surprise you. The logic must be to make sure you are in control of the game and maximize your strengths.
Method 3 of 3: Train on the most advanced techniques
Step 1. Cut your shots at the net
If you can hit the shuttle with a slightly cutting motion of the racket, you will be able to give a very unpredictable movement to your shot. The cut is made by moving the racket slightly forward, as if to anticipate the shot. Your opponent will expect a straight shot and will find himself having to respond to a shuttle which, if you have performed your movement well, will have a lot of effect (in jargon it is called a 'spin'), and will be difficult to manage.
Step 2. Cut your drops too
Try to hit the shuttle with a movement that causes the racket to be almost perpendicular to the tool when it is at its highest point: in this way the shuttle will lose strength and fall quite unpredictably on the opponent's court, probably very close to the net.
Step 3. Squeeze
When you are in the ideal position to hit the shuttle in the fullest way and at the top of its arc, do it … Aim for maximum power and precision of the stroke: raise the racket above your head with a large and energetic movement and hit the shuttle with extreme force. The movement is very similar to that of tennis and must be performed with a lot of power.
When engaging in a smash action, accuracy is at least as important as the strength of the blow. Do not move with your eyes closed to hit as hard as you can: it is essential to hit the right way and above all at the right time to capture all the inertia of the shuttle and surprise your opponent
Step 4. Before a smash, jump
When you have practiced the arm movement that preludes the smash, train yourself to jump as much as possible to anticipate the blow, plummet the shuttle from an even higher position and make it gain even more speed. Jump effectively, on one foot or both, and move your chest and body in the direction you want to send the shuttle by hitting it at the highest point of its dish.
Step 5. Don't abuse the smash
The smash is a shot that must be managed carefully because it costs effort and above all it is not always easy to perform the whole movement perfectly. If you do a smash always and in any case you will end up getting tired very soon or using this blow even in an inappropriate way or at an inopportune moment.
Step 6. Always try to plan your next shot
If a beginner is content to send the shuttle across the net, an experienced player knows that badminton is a bit like a game of chess. You must always be in the best possible position to force your opponent to chase and thus have time to plan the next shot.
Advice
- Study your opponent's weaknesses. Is his backhand weak? Having trouble responding to your smashes, or your drops or footwork? In doubles who is the less effective player of the two?
- If your opponent has a habit of hitting and gaining the center of the field immediately, jump over him. Force him to move back quickly or suddenly change direction. If you see that he is in trouble with these game combinations, insist.
- Badminton is always a game of great respect and honesty: fair play. If the shuttle crashes into your field, always admit that you have missed the point.
- Try not to jump to perform a normal hit (other than a smash). You could fall to the ground without even hitting the shuttle - it takes time and training. Start practicing ground movement and if you play doubles, and your partner has more experience than you, trust him.
- Train hard: and you will improve.
- If you play doubles, when you serve, it is advisable to immediately get in the net, your opponent will hit long and your partner will already be placed in the ideal way to respond to the best.
- Try to be unpredictable. Vary your game as much as possible.
- In the double try to confuse your opponents by hitting the shuttle in the so-called 'conflict zone', that is, halfway between them. They will often end up hindering each other.
- Communication is a key aspect in the double. Call the shot when you're in your best condition and yell at your partner 'drop!' on shots that are aimed out or that you can hit better yourself. He also uses visual communication a lot to make predefined tactical decisions that your opponents cannot interpret. For example if you are in front of your partner you call the next shot, so that he is prepared. And do it quickly and cunningly and imperceptibly by opponents.
- Try to play your drop shots in the same direction and several times, perhaps a little further each time, to tire your opponent and send him into trouble. When you change your game, he will be blown away.
- Try to make your opponent move as much as possible and tire him.
- Get familiar and measure with the angles of the opponent's court.
- Use effective footwork, try to stay in control of your movements and do not rush around in pursuit of your opponent's shots. Always try to master this mentally important aspect of the game.
- Don't leave the initiative to your opponent. Diversify: play short if the opponent is at the baseline and vice versa.
- When your opponent pulls the shuttle straight at you, step back and move to the side. In that position you will have a wide variety of shots with which to challenge him. You may also be able to smash by moving forward and jumping to anticipate the strike.
- If you don't need to, don't run - just move your feet quickly.
- Also train against the wall. Repeatedly try multiple hits, and their responses.
- Hit the shuttle where your opponent can't reach your shot.
- Don't start playing with overly experienced athletes. Try to start your game with beginners and gradually raise your level and that of your opponents. Badminton is a ruthless sport: often, even after a few defeats, some players get discouraged and leave the field, even if they have fun and enjoy the game.
- Always try to pay attention to the point: and therefore to the points.
- Always call the score on every single exchange. There are also opponents who cheat, or make confusion.
- Don't just play with your arm. He uses his wrist a lot to direct the shuttle: firstly to preserve energy and then because a good movement of the wrist is very effective in more technical games.
