If you play badminton just for fun, you may not know that there are so many ways to get the shuttlecock across the net. To improve your competitiveness and add some bite to your answers, smash is for you. There are three main types of smash: forehand, jump and backhand.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Mastering Straight Smash
Step 1. Approach the flywheel with a straight grip
Load the weight on the tips and get ready to hit the shuttlecock from above. You never know when you will be able to smash. When the shuttlecock is shipped to your side of the field, run under it as quickly as possible.
- The sooner you reach the point where the shuttlecock will arrive, the higher its trajectory will be and the more time you will have to prepare for the smash.
- Experienced players call this movement "increasing the pace". It simply means accelerating so that you have more time to react.
Step 2. Get into a stable position
If the shuttlecock comes fast, you may have little time to react. Under ideal conditions, you will have both feet facing one side of the court. Keep your legs shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent and follow the shuttlecock with your gaze.
Staying balanced is more important at this point than loading the smash. If your balance is precarious, the blow won't be very effective
Step 3. Raise your arms and get ready to strike
Keep the racket straight and as far back as possible, without feeling discomfort. Bend your free arm and keep that hand at chin level.
- You can keep the fingers of the free hand as you like. Closing them in a fist is the most used technique, but you can also leave them open.
- As you prepare to strike, imagine the angle of trajectory the shuttlecock will take upon impact. It should be as sharp as possible, as long as it gets past the net.
- Raising your free hand serves as a counterweight to the arm that holds the racquet, increasing the stability of the smash.
Step 4. Hit the shuttlecock
Try to do this as high as possible. Inhale deeply before performing the stroke and extend your free hand at shoulder height. Exhale as you bring your dominant arm forward. During the stroke, also advance the foot of the side of the racquet.
- Power is important at this stage, but it is even more important to hit the shuttlecock with the center of the racket.
- When you feel the contact between the racket and the shuttlecock, snap your wrist down. In this way you will give power and inclination to the blow.
- You can increase the power of the smash by contracting your abs as you hit the shuttlecock.
Step 5. Complete the movement and prepare for the next shot
It will be very difficult for your opponent to respond to your smash. However, if it succeeds, you must be ready to continue the trade.
Method 2 of 3: Perform a Jump Smash
Step 1. Move quickly under the flywheel
For the jump smash it is even more important to reach the shuttlecock quickly. If you are too slow, the shuttlecock will be too low to get the most out of the shot. Hold the racket with the grip straight as you approach.
- In the early stages, the jump smash is very similar to the straight smash: you should keep your body and feet facing the sideline, with good balance.
- The jump smash sends the shuttlecock into the other court with even more force and a sharper angle, so it's very difficult to recover.
- Keep your body relaxed but ready. It is a common instinct to tense your muscles when preparing to jump, but this limits your range.
Step 2. Prepare to jump
Keeping your eyes on the shuttlecock, extend the arm holding the racket as far as possible behind you. Keep your other arm level with your ribs and bend your elbow. Bend your knees slightly and lean forward. Are you ready to jump.
Step 3. Jump to intercept the shuttlecock at the highest point you can reach
Take a deep breath and push on the ground with your dominant foot, so that you leap into the air. Extend your free hand over your head and to the side to keep your balance in the air.
- Timing is key to an effective jumping smash. In the best case, you will find yourself in the air and start hitting at the highest point of the jump.
- When jumping, keep your legs almost fully extended. Fold them back when you reach the point of impact.
Step 4. Hit the shuttlecock over the net
Bring the racket forward and at the same time lower your free hand to one side, straightening the elbow. At the same time, contract your abs as much as possible and bring your dominant foot forward slightly.
- Imagine clearly in your mind the angle you want to give to the shuttlecock. This way you will be more accurate.
- If you have not started the movement in the right position, for example because you are too close or too far from the flywheel, you will not be able to fully extend your arm to execute the strike. In this case the smash will be less powerful.
Step 5. Complete the move and land correctly
Continue to bring your arm forward after hitting the shuttlecock until it is held straight in front of you. When you're almost back on the ground, step your dominant foot forward so you're ready for impact. Regain your balance after landing and prepare to continue the trade.
Jump smashes are suitable for wrong answers, where the shuttlecock is thrown up towards the center of the court
Method 3 of 3: Perform a Backhand Smash
Step 1. Choose the right time
The backhand smash is an advanced offensive strike and one of the hardest to respond to. It is ideal for throwing off high but relatively short hits to your opponent, as it leaves very little time to react.
- Since this is a more difficult shot, make sure you know your backhand perfectly before attempting it.
- To make a backhand smash, it is especially important to know how to quickly and naturally switch to the backhand grip.
Step 2. Position yourself correctly
Stand under and slightly behind the shuttlecock as you normally would. Switch to the backhand grip and orient your body towards the court. The quicker you are in the change of grip, the more powerful the blow will be.
- Unlike other types of badminton smashes, to get the most out of your backhand smash you need to keep your dominant arm as close to your body as possible.
- As with other smashes, you should use your free hand as a counterweight to the one holding the racquet in the stroke.
Step 3. Hit the shuttlecock with great force and prepare to continue the trade
You should only make one movement from the moment of impact until your arm is almost fully extended. When you make contact with the flywheel, quickly snap your wrist. Don't hold the racquet too hard to have more control of the hit.
- As your racquet approaches the shuttlecock, imagine the angle of the trajectory passing just above the net.
- It's very easy to lose your balance when doing the backhand smash. Remember to use your free hand to stabilize yourself.
Advice
- If your smash doesn't cross the net or falls out of bounds even though you've used all your strength, you're probably making some technical mistake.
- When performing a smash, positioning is key. A powerful but central smash is less dangerous than a weaker but angled one.
