Playing badminton requires a significant level of skill, and while you may be able to learn the basic rules of the game in a relatively short period of time, some of the more intricate shots may appear to be a little more intimidating.
That being said, it is perfectly reasonable to believe that even as a beginner, you will be able to learn some of the most important shots in the game, each with its own set of advantages and times when it should be used.
In this post, we’ll look at six basic, yet essential shots that beginners can start practicing right away to improve their game.
An Overview of Badminton Shots
Some people believe that badminton is nothing more than mindlessly belting the shuttlecock from one side of the court to the other, but this could not be further from the truth.
This sport necessitates quick reactions, agility, focus, and stamina. Each shot you take could mean the difference between winning a point and losing – and because so many people who play this sport are extremely competitive, it is critical that you get your shots right from the start.
In general, badminton shots are classified as defensive or offensive, and there are three types of each. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at each of the shots.
Shots on defence
One of the main goals of badminton is to trick or confuse your opponent so that they do not have enough time to react to our shot. You will almost certainly be on the receiving end of this, so it is critical that you be able to defend yourself and gain control of the game, putting your opponent out.
1. Perfect Shot
If you’ve noticed that your opponent spends the majority of their time near the net, this is an excellent opportunity to capitalize on the clear shot. This type of shot will force a change in position and, if executed correctly, could result in you winning a point.
The clear shot is achieved by striking the shuttle right in the center of your racket – or as close to it as possible. This causes it to fly upwards, hopefully landing near the back of your opponent’s court. An opponent in a fixed position near the net has little chance of returning this.
2. The Drive Shot
The drive shot is one of the most basic shots in the game, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t extremely effective. A drive shot can be used in a tricky situation and is very effective if you want to shock your opponent, causing them to be unable to react. In this case, you would receive a point.
The goal of this shot is to get the shuttle across the net while keeping the shot low and straight. When done properly, it should be smooth and just clear the net, and it can be a very useful tool.
3. Shot with Net Lift
In this shot, you want to hit the shuttle high so that it lands near the opponent’s baseline. To execute this effectively, you may score a point, but it will take some practice, and if not done correctly, you may be faced with a smash that is nearly impossible to react to.
The net lift shot should be hit so that it just clears the net, but the most important aspect of this shot is that the power is perfect. If you hit it too hard, you will clear the perimeter of the court, whereas hitting it too gently will almost certainly result in a smash.
Offensive Strikes
If you are in command of the game, on the other hand, you will need to use some offensive shots. Knowing how to execute these shots flawlessly is a great way to ensure one of three things:
- Getting a point
- Continue to serve
- Bring the conversation to a close.
Again, there are three basic shots that can be used in these situations, and the most important thing is to remain unpredictable so that your opponent does not know what is going to happen next.
4. The Smash Shot
While discussing defensive shots, we mentioned smashes, which are extremely effective and should be one of the first things you learn when starting out with badminton.
The smash shot is widely acknowledged to be the most common in the game, and many pro tournaments have been won as a result of it.
If the shuttle comes at you from a high angle, this is the ideal time to take a smash shot because this type of shot is executed with a powerful downward motion. When you hit the shuttle in this manner, your opponent will have a difficult time reacting and is unlikely to return the shot. You have two options: either aim the shuttle directly at your opponent or ping it as far away from him or her as possible while staying within the lines of play.
5. The Smash Shot
The Smash shot is a great go-to reaction if you’re standing in the front of your court. This is similar to a drive shot in nature but far less powerful; however, you must exert enough force to successfully get the shuttlecock across the net.
You should aim for your opponent’s forecourt, especially if he or she is expecting you to take a shot to the backside of the court.
However, it is critical to remember that this shot must be executed flawlessly or you will lose a point. As a result, we recommend spending a significant amount of time practicing this before using it in a match.
6. Kill Shot at the Net
If you’re close to the net and the shuttle comes in at a high altitude, this is the ideal time to fire a net kill shot. One of the best things about this type of shot is that you don’t have to practice it beforehand, so you can pull it out of the bag at any time. All you have to do is make sure your racket is in front of your body and ready to take the shot.
Some may compare this shot to the smash, but there is a significant difference: the net kill shot is much faster and will almost certainly confuse and stun your opponent. You will almost certainly win a point if you get this right.
Conclusion
When you first begin your badminton journey, you will need to work on many things, such as finding the right equipment, joining a badminton club, and learning the rules of the game.
However, knowing a variety of badminton shots that can help you win a match is extremely important.
There are numerous badminton shots, but we’ve covered six of the most fundamental, which can be used offensively or defensively. These are great for perplexing your opponent or delivering a shot so unexpected that they don’t have time to react.
In any case, it is critical that you practice these shots and are ready to execute them on the court.
