1.

If you can’t reach, you can’t hit

Footwork

First and foremost you have to reach the shuttle to receive it (except when you are serving) and if you
can’t, nothing else will help. The only way you can is by improving your footwork. This definitely is the
most important principle and the toughest to master. Work on specific body muscles: lower leg, upper
leg, hip and the core through consistent exercises. There is no alternative to improving your footwork
than working those muscles.

4 Improved Co-ordination & Reflexes

2. Time right to end right

Hand-eye-co-ordination

Let us say you can now comfortably reach, the next step is to hit the shuttle at the right time. Most
players miss it while attempting to hit. So, what you need at this point is a perfect hand-eye-co-
ordination. The best way to improve that is by occasionally playing other sports which require even
quicker coordination. You would have to train the brain enough to help you when it is needed on the
court. Occasional Table Tennis games and ball catching practices are very effective.

Focus Better

3. Taste the sweetness of the sweet spot

Racquet-grip

Remember those instances where your timing was perfect but somehow you hit the shuttle by the
racket frame? Hitting the shuttle with the sweet spot of the racket becomes really difficult. The only way
to improve this is by learning the right racket grip techniques. Backhand and forehand shots like dribble,
smash, drops etc. require slight variations in the gripping technique.

Analyze Better

4. Access the right place with the right force

Practice

Now you have reached, timed it right and also have hit the shuttle by the sweet spot. But, you don’t
want the shuttle to go in a place and position where your opponent can easily hit a smash to win the
point. Hence, the next step is to give the right force so that shuttle takes the desired flight and lands at
the right place on your opponent’s side of the court. Every shot e.g. net shot, clear shot to the box,
smash etc. need force variations. Here practice is the most effective way of learning, typically tosses
before a game, from various locations on the court, are very effective.
Be Resilient

5. If you fall back, you will return stronger

Reposition

All things are going good! Now, your opponent receives your shot and (assuming he/she is also an
improvement freak) hits it back to your court. It will become really difficult to reach the shuttle again if
you have not taken your position at the ‘home base’. It is very important to get back to the right position
on the court (before your opponent hits the shuttle) and get ready to receive and hit the next shot
effectively. Footwork again comes into play here.