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The page is originally from University
of Waterloo Badminton Club.
University of Waterloo Badminton Club
This document was prepared for the O.B.A. by Mr. John Gilbert, Level
III Coach
1. Introduction
2. Drill on Return of Service
3. Singles Base & Court Dimensions
4. Offence & Defence
A - Using overhead strokes
(i) definition of defensive & offensive zones
(ii) selection of strokes from defensive zone
(a) high clear
(b) slow drop
(iii) selection of strokes from offensive zone
(a) smash
(b) fast drop B - Using underhand strokes
(i) definition of defensive zone
(ii) selection of strokes from defensive zone
(a) return to net
(b) lob to back line
5. Conclusion
(a) high service
(b) short service
(c) preparation for a match
(d) match play
1. Introduction
Badminton singles is a game which can be as demanding physically and
mentally as its participants desire. The object of this pamphlet is
to enable a player to put more into the game and thus get more out of
it.
By careful utilization of the strokes discussed in the Level One Coaching
Manual, it is possible to play a very good brand of singles. Do not
underestimate the importance of these basic strokes -- clear, fast and
slow drop, smash, backhand clear, forehand and backhand lobs, netshots,
short service, high service, drives. These shots are the foundation
of all good quality singles play. Let us begin with a simple demonstration
of the importance of the clear and drop and return of service.
2. Drill on Return of Service
Select four shuttles of legal speed. Serve high singles serves to the
player and have him/her practice once and then try to return a shuttle
to each corner of the court. Stand these shuttles up at the point where
they hit the floor. If you were to connect these shuttles with an imaginary
line and calculate the square footage of the court (374 sq. ft.) you
will obtain an idea of the percentage of the court the player is attacking
off the serve. It will be a surprisingly low percentage -- especially
when you consider that in returning serve the player begins in the readiest
position he/she will ever be in during a singles match (other than when
serving) and also is defending less than half a court. Fairly obviouslyk,
as a rally progresses, the pressure builds, and the player becomes increasingly
caught out of position, the percentage of square footage attacked on
the court will decrease until the player hits virtually nothing but
shots to the middle of his/her opponent's court. If the player can not
return service efficiently, how can he/she play effectively? thus, one
must practice clears and drops until one can place them in any corner
of the court consistently.
3. Singles Base & Court Dimensions
Theoretically, while waiting for an opponent's shot, one should stand
at the point which best enables to defend the whole court. Usually this
will be the centre of the court. Variations do occur, however, for two
reasons:
(1) a player's speed (2) the court dimensions
(1) If a player moves forward more easily than backwards or vice- versa,
it may be advantageous to shift the base backwards or forwards. How
one plays as a result of this change, of course, is the acid test of
its effectiveness. (2) Most players and coaches think of a court's dimentions
in terms of length and width. Remember, the most import and of all may
be neither, but height. Birds hit on a flat or downward trajectory reach
their target much sooner than do those which reach a peak and fall vertically
on their target. Also, the latter can not be intercepted. Strokes in
badminton are like clubs in golf -- each has a different trajectory.
A player's decision on how soon he/she wants the bird to hit its target
should be based on:
(1) the opponent's position on court (2) the player's position on court
(3) the speed of movement of both players
A rally, almost without exception, ends because a player has selected
the wrong stroke. Poorly executed strokes really fall into this category
also.
4. Offence & Defence
Badminton singles is a remarkable game of two opponents attempting to
manoeuvre each other out of position or away from his/her base. thus,
players should always be aware of offence and defence when selecting
their strokes. A stroke is of limited value if it results in an opponent
winning the rally either immediately or some shots later. One job of
a coach is to identify when the player is hitting a "nothing"
shot. In the heat of a rally a player, especially an inexperienced one,
is incapable of analyzing "nothing" shots. Perhaps this whole
concept can be simplified in the court is divided on offensive and defensive
principles, first for overhead strokes and then for underhand strokes.
A. Using overhead strokes
(i) definition of defensive & offensive zones
Lucio Fabris' coach, Ev Staples, divided the court very simply in this
matter with regard to overhead strokes. The defensive zone in singles
is from the doubles long service line to the back line. The offensive
zone is from the doubles long service to the net.
(ii) selection of strokes from defensive zone
On this principle the following strokes should be selected in order
of preference when a player is striking a bird while standing in the
defensive zone:
(1) high clear (2) slow drop
Note that the slow drop should be used very sparingly. It is a difficult
stroke to execute well and if mis-hit almost always results in the loss
of the rally. A player should concentrate, therefore, on using high
clears hit to the back corners of his opponent's court. If the opponent
is weak on the backhand, obviously that should be the corner selected
to hit to. Remember that if the opponent is lefthanded, his/her straight
return will also attack your own backhand.
(iii) selection of strokes from offensive zone
When standing in the offensive zone a player should select the following
overhead strokes in order of priority:
(1) smash (2) fast drop
A player uses a smash to win rallies. Its speed and placement make it
effective. Thus, a player uses it when in the offensive zone and when
in a balance position to hit it efficiently. There are three places
to hit the smash to:
(a) at the opponent (b) at the opponent's backhand sideline (c) at the
opponent's forhand sideline
Vary the placement: the element of surprise is important. Do not hit
so hard that you lose your balance so that any return by the opponent
becomes a winner. After smashing, try to move forward since, if your
smash is hit well, most often your opponent's return will be a weak
set up to the net area. Often when one is in a position to smash, the
opponent will retreat in the court and will thus be in a better position
to return the smash since its speed will have decreased significantly
by the time it reaches his/her new position. At this time utilize the
fast drop. If it is hit well -- identical to the smash and clear until
the point of contact -- it will catch the opponent "glued"
to the floor expecting the smash and will often be a winner. More often,
however, it will force a very weak return which can then be smashed
to the floor. Note that a player should mix smashes and drops as well
as the area of their placement. Keep your opponent guessing.
Using underhand strokes
(i) definition of defensive zone
On underhand strokes the whole court is a defensive zone, although a
"smart" player can turn defence into offence.
(ii) selection of strokes from defensive zone
Basically, a player has two choices on all underhand strokes:
(1) return to net (2) lob to back line
A player must choose which of these returns to use and to which corner
of the court on the basis of his/her opponent's position and his/her
own. The earlier discussion on singles' base and the dimensions of the
court should be considered in this regard. Let us look at net shots.
One of these hit to either corner on a trajectory shaped with a peak
at the net and a vertical fall immediately past is so that the bird
will land within inches of the net will force your opponent on to the
defensive and will reduce the number of possible returns. If the bird
is very close to the net it is impossible to lob it to the backline
-- the net is in the way -- even when it is possible to lob it, it can
only be done by using great height. thus, you can take your base very
close to the net and still get back in lots of time to cover the lob
while attacking any net shot very effectively -- watch for the crosscourt
net shot: it is the only one which can really catch you off guard. Let
us now look at lobs to the back of the court. These shots are fully
defensive in nature but are necessary (1) when your opponent is in position
to attack a net shot and (2) when a net shot would put you out of position.
It is very important that these lobs should be hit as high a peak as
possible so that they fall vertically on the back line allowing you
plenty of time to return to your base. (See the earlier discussion on
singles' base and court dimensions.)
5. Conclusion
What remains to be considered in basic singles are:
(a) high service
(b) short service
(c) preparation for a match
(d) match play
Let us consider these in order.
(1) high service
Since the object of the game (within sportsmanship limits) is to win
and to prevent your opponent from winning, therefore, you should place
the opponent on the defensive at the very outset of the rally. The high
singles service dropping vertically very near the junction of the back
line and the centre line is very effective. As seen by the discussion
thus far, your opponent's strokes are limited and the rally quickly
develops into a contest waiting for someone to make a weak return into
his/her opponent's offensive zone.
(2) short service
This is an effective serve at tan advanced level of play (see the Level
II Manual) but should be used sparingly by the less experienced player.
Ideally, it should go very low to the net to land just past the front
service line near its junction with the centre line. It is a dangerous
service since (1) the margin of error is small - if it is too high,
the bird can be smashed; (2) it allows the net returns discussed earlier.
The opposing player, by mixing net returns and lob judiciously, can
often quickly win many rallies begun by a short service.
(3) preparation for a match
It is always difficult to assess the relative importance of stroking
versus conditioning. At various levels of play the ratio changes. I
would advise players at this stage to concentrate more on stroking.
Be fit, but do not be a conditioning freak. Instead, be in good enough
condition to do justice to your ability to execute strokes. Work on
you strokes enough that you can make the bird do what you want it to
do when you hit it.
(4) match play
Once the match has begun, concentrate on one stroke at a time. Remember,
though, that your mind is analyzing what has happened and is projecting
what will happen. Learn from your mistakes -- do not fall into the same
trap over and over again. Discover predictable patterns in your opponent's
play so that you can be in the right place at the right time. Discover
your opponent's strengths so you can avoid them and his/her weaknesses
and exploit your strengths. Every opponent can be beaten provided he/she
is handled correctly. Badminton is a game not only of power, but of
brains. Good luck.
