BADMINTON – CRITICAL ELEMENTS

Grip

Critical Elements / Cues
Handle diagonally across palm / Lifeline
Fingers and thumb curled around handle / Curl all fingers and thumb
Firm grip, allows fingers to control racquet movement / Firm grip
Flexible wrist / Wrist

Ready Position

Critical Elements / Cues
Weight equally distributed on balls of feet / Balls of feet
Feet shoulder width apart, behind the T / Shoulder width
Body upright, slight lean forward / Body lean
Knees bent / Bent knees
Racquet in front with racquet head above hand / Racquet up
Head up and eyes on shuttle / Eyes on shuttle

Overhead Forehand Clear

Critical Elements / Cues
Feet at 45 (front foot) and 60 (back foot) degrees so body is at right angle to the net / 45 & 60
Body weight on back foot / Weight on back foot
Point non-racquet hand at shuttle / Point
Racquet arm is back, elbow high / Scratch the back
Contact shuttle as high as possible over racquet shoulder / Full extension at contact
Racquet head facing slightly up / Angle racquet
Snap wrist on contact / Snap wrist
Transfer weight to front foot / Weight transfer
Follow through to opposite side of body / Follow through
Return to ready position / Ready

Overhead Backhand Clear

Critical Elements / Cues
Step right foot across and forward (if right handed) / Step across
Right shoulder points to opponent / Point shoulder
Right elbow points to where shot is to go / Elbow leads the way
Weight on left foot / Weight back
Extend arm and racquet towards target area / Extend arm
Shift weight forward / Shift weight
Snap Wrist / Snap

Forehand Long Serve

Critical Elements / Cues
Non-racquet foot slightly in front of racquet foot – weight on back foot / Weight on back foot
Shuttle in one hand, held around neck
Hold shuttle between head and chest / Shuttle high
Extend serving arm behind body with wrist cocked at waist height / Cock wrist
As shuttle is dropped, racquet swings down and forward / Swing
Weight shifts to front foot / Shift
Contact shuttle between knee and waist
Snap wrist
(For a short serve, “push” shuttle gently over the net with no wrist action or follow through) / Snap
Follow-through high and across opposite shoulder / Follow-through
Do not move either foot until shuttle has left racquet / Still feet

BackhandShort Serve

Critical Elements / Cues
Move grip slightly up the handle of the racquet / Grip
Position body facing the net with racquet leg slightly forward / Racquet foot forward
Hold shuttle just below waist level and well in front of body / Shuttle below waist
Hold the racquet against the front of the body just below waist level / Racquet against body
As the shuttle is released, the racquet is pushed forward to make contact below the waist / Push racquet at release
There is very little follow through, but a slight wrist action / Slight wrist snap
After hitting the shuttle, resume the ready position / Ready

Smash

Critical Elements / Cues
Feet at 45 (front foot) and 60 (back foot) degrees so body is at right angle to the net / 45 & 60
Body weight on back foot / Weight on back foot
Point non-racquet hand at shuttle / Point
Racquet arm is back, elbow high / Scratch the back
Contact shuttle as high as possible over and in front of racquet shoulder / Full extension at contact
Racquet head facing slightly down / Angle racquet
Snap wrist quickly on contact / Snap wrist
Transfer weight to front foot / Weight transfer
Follow through to opposite side of body / Follow through
Return to ready position / Ready

Overhead Drop Shot

Critical Elements / Cues
Feet at 45 (front foot) and 60 (back foot) degrees so body is at right angle to the net / 45 & 60
Body weight on back foot / Weight on back foot
Point non-racquet hand at shuttle / Point
Racquet arm is back, elbow high / Scratch the back
Contact shuttle as high as possible over racquet shoulder, slowing racquet head at contact / Full extension at contact
Slow speed
Racquet head angled downward / Vertical racquet
Snap wrist / Less wrist
Transfer weight to front foot / Weight transfer
Follow through to opposite side of body with arm half way down body / Follow through
Return to ready position / Ready

Drive/Flat

Critical Elements / Cues
Feet shoulder width apart, slightly staggered / Staggered stance
Racquet up in front of body, racquet face parallel to net / Racquet up
Push the shuttle from the elbow / Push
Return to ready position / Return

Underhand Forehand Clear

Critical Elements / Cues
Feet at 45 and 60 degrees to the net / 45 & 60
Body weight on back foot / Weight back
Elbows in, wrist cocked, racquet back / Cock wrist
Swing racquet forward / Swing
Snap wrist at contact / Snap
Contact below waist, in front of body / Front
Transfer weight from back foot to front foot / Transfer weight
Follow through in direction of target / Palm up