Badminton Shots

Like any sports, badminton also have a different types of shots to be used as attack. By
learning a lot of different shots could contribute for you to have more options on your
sleeves.

Shots hold a vital place in Badminton. Having a considerable arsenal of shots makes a
badminton player competitive and nearly invincible.

It is the process of exchanging the shuttle between two players or teams is carried out by
means of different shots.

Different types of badminton shots involve a multiple set of skills and techniques needed for
a beginner to advance level playing of badminton sport

Clear Shots

A.   Clear Shots

This is sometimes called as Lob because of its upward / parabola motion. Sometimes, you’ll
be in tremendous pressure because you can’t keep up with pace, or sometimes, your body
is not in balance and you needed a shot to give you time to regain it. Nevertheless, clear
shot is used for the aforementioned above scenarios. It can be used as offensive or
defensive depends on how the player utilized it. A clear keeps the shuttle in the air for quite
a while. This gives you some extra time before your opponent is able to hit it. Make use of
this “extra” time to reorganize your footwork and get back into position.

There are 3 types of clear shots

                   a. Overhead Clear

 In this stroke, contact the shuttlecock around the middle of your racket head. The aim
of the clear shot is to cause the shuttle to go up high in the air and land at your opponent's
backcourt.

The clear shot is one of the easiest badminton techniques; beginners should aim to master
the Defensive Clear Shot to play longer rallies against your opponents..

 
Here are some pointers for playing overhead clear:

·         Stand squarely to the net.

·         Bend your upper body sideways to your non-racket side as your arms come through.

·         Shift your weight on to your rear foot.

·         Bend your elbow and lock your wrist preparing to swing forward.

·         Raise your non-racket hand and point at the shuttle to improve timing and balance.

·         Contact the shuttle as high as possible and in front of your body using a strong
throwing action as if you are going to throw your racket high and forward through the air.

·         Straighten your elbow as you hit the shuttle.

·         Let your wrist unlock with a whip action as you hit the shuttle.

·         Follow through with your racket and shift your weight from your rear foot to your
front foot.

·         Move back to your base position.

When doing an overhead clear you can use backhand and forehand as long as the racket is
in top of your head and create a parabolic motion to the shuttle.

b. Around the Head Clear

           

This is actually a forehand overhead badminton clear played at the non-racket side of your
body. Meaning instead of doing a backhand overhead clear, you’re actually using your
forehand.

The techniques for hitting these badminton clears are about the same as the forehand
overhead clears with only some minor adjustments.

Here are some pointers for playing a forehand around the head clear.

·         Stand squarely to the net.

·         Bend your upper body sideways to your non-racket side as your arms come through.

·         Shift your weight to your non-racket leg.

·         Bend your elbow and bring the racket behind your head.

·         As you swing forward, your forearm will brush the top of your head before
straightening.

·         Transfer your body weight rapidly as your non-racket leg pushes your body back to
your base position.

c. Underarm Clear

          The underarm clear is usually played from the front court area to your
opponent’s back court. Whether to play it high and deep of a flatter, cross court clear will
depend on the situation at that time and your opponent’s positioning on court.

In any case, try to reach the shuttle as early as possible so that you can have various shot
options. The wrist action is crucial element in creating a deception for your shots.

 
Here are some pointers for the underarm clear:

·         Adopt the forehand grip for a forehand underarm clear or the backhand grip for a
backhand underarm clear.

·         Extend and put your racket up when you go for the shot.

·         The point of impact shall be well out in front of you and as high as possible with your
racket leg leading in a lunge position.

·         Swing your racket upwards as the shuttle drops in the hitting area.

·         Unlock your wrist as you contact the shuttle producing a whip action.

·         Follow through with your racket in the direction of the shuttle’s trajectory.

·         Push with both legs and move back to your base position.