Types of Badminton Shots

1. Defensive Clear/Lob
 This is the most basic badminton shot. Every beginner should first master
this.
 The defensive badminton clear is performed to get you out of trouble.
 In many instances, you’ll be under tremendous pressure by your opponent.
This happens when your opponent plays at a faster pace and is firing continuous
attacks on you.
 A clear or lob is a good way to get yourself more organized while you’re under
pressure and buys you some time to work yourself back into the rally.
 
Overhead Defensive Clear

Underarm Defensive Clear

 The pictures above show you the flight trajectory of the defensive badminton clear.
This shot can be performed using the badminton overhead stroke and the underarm
stroke.
 
In the picture above, you will realize that the shuttle travels high up and deep into
your opponent’s baseline.
 The defensive 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.
 
1. Drop Shot
 The badminton drop shot is semi-offensive. It’s performed from the back of
the court and is usually used to maintain the pace of the game.
 The defensive clear (explained above) slows down the pace of the game –
because it keeps the shuttle in the air for quite a while.
 The drop shot, on the other hand, maintains the pace of the game.
 A drop shot performed at a steep angle lands on the ground quicker,
compared to the clear or lob. Your opponent has to rush forward to retrieve it.
 Hit the drop shot ONLY when you’re comfortable with the pace of the game.
In other words, perform a drop shot when you’re playing at a similar pace or a faster
pace than your opponent.
 If you can’t keep up with your opponent’s pace, clear (or lob) the shuttle
instead.
 

1. Smash
The smash is often known as the ‘winning shot’ in badminton. It’s used with the
intention to end a rally.
 The smash is one of the most powerful badminton shots (apart from the jump
smash) that is fired from a vertical angle.
 However, when you decide to smash, you’re taking a risk. Smashing causes,
you to lose a certain degree of balance.
 Thus, make sure that your smash will win you a rally point, or at least force a
very weak return from your opponent.
 
In order to minimize your risks and ensure your smash works towards your
advantage, you should:
 Get behind the shuttle as early as possible so that you are able to hit the
shuttle when it is still high up. This allows you to smash the shuttle at a steep angle.
 Maintain extremely good body balance before you smash.
 Make sure that your opponent is off-guard. This means that your opponent is
not ready to retrieve the smash.
 If you do not satisfy the conditions above, hit the drop shot instead and wait
for another chance.
 You’ll be taking unnecessary risks if you fire a smash without satisfying the
conditions above.
 Without you knowing, you may be giving your opponent the chance to counter
your smash!
 
1. Jump Smash
This is a more powerful version of the badminton smash. It is also one of the hardest
badminton shots to perform.
 To hit this shot, you will simply need to jump and hit the smash in mid air. This will:
 Create a steeper angle for your smash
 Enable you to inject more power into your smash
 The badminton jump smash is the most powerful offensive shot in badminton.
 You’ll need to satisfy those conditions before performing the jump smash.
 
1. Net Shot (Tumbling/Spinning Net Shot)
 Badminton shots along the net (known as “net shots”) are used to create
opportunities and dominate the front of the court.
 It is a very important skill to help you win badminton rallies. A good net shot
can force your opponent to perform a high lift/clear, so that you can play a winning
smash.
 A tumbling net shot enables the shuttle to tumble across just slightly above
the net.

 A tight spinning net shot will force your opponent to lift to the mid court area.
 An extremely good net shot (shuttle lands on the top of the net and then
drops to the other side) can sometimes be the ‘killer shot’.
 
1. Net Kill
 The net kill is a useful skill to end a rally when if your opponent executes a poor
quality net shot (net shot that is too high).
When your opponent plays a net shot that is too high, strike with a net kill!

1. Net Lift
 In some instances, your opponent might be very good at net play. They may
perform extremely good badminton shots along the net.
 When you’re finding it difficult to retrieve your opponent’s badminton shots
along the net, perform the defensive net lift.
 If your opponent is playing extremely well along the net, do not hesitate to
perform the high lift. This can prevent your opponent from
striking with a net kill.

 The net lift sends the shuttle high up to your opponent’s baseline.
It is similar to the underarm defensive clear but the net lift is usually performed very
closely to the net.
 Therefore, it is important that you practice to lift the shuttle high enough so
that the shuttle won’t hit the net.

 
1. Drive
Drives are fast and furious badminton shots exchanged horizontally across the net.
One of the main reasons to hit the drive is to increase the pace of the game.
 Use this only when you’re comfortable with the pace of the rally.
 If for some reasons you are not performing well or making many unforced
errors, DO NOT play drives with your opponent.
 
Summary
Clear shot
 
Trajectory: high, towards the back court
Played from: Back court
Purpose: Defensive shot
Aim of this shot is to let the shuttle fly high in the air and land at your opponent’s back
court. It is used when you need time to get back to the base before the next return or
if you don’t have a clear opportunity to kill and win the point.
 
Drop
Trajectory: Looping close to the net
Played from: Back court
Purpose: Attacking Shot
It is used when the shuttle is heading towards you in the back court. As an attempt to
this stroke, the player must hit downward towards the opponent’s fore-court, aiming
for it to go just over the net. The closer the shuttle drops to the net, the harder it is to
return.
This shot is used when the opponent is in the back court, expecting a clear shot or a
drive.
 
Drive
Trajectory: Flat, towards the body
Played from: Mid-court
Purpose: Defensive Shot
The drive is a flat shot hit directly and slightly over the net. It is a very powerful and
quick counter attacking shot. Your racket should be held with the head facing straight
ahead. It can sometimes be strategic to aim the shot at your opponent who will be
unable to react or shift his body in time as their natural reaction will be to duck/avoid
the shot.
 
Smash
Trajectory: Close to the net
Played from: Back court/Mid-court
Purpose: To provide less time for the opponent
Most lethal shot in badminton. It can be defined as a drive angled downwards. It can
be used when the shuttle is high in the air and can be angled downwards.
 
Net Shots are used to create opportunities and dominate the front court.
 
Net Lift
Trajectory: high, towards the back court
Played from: Forecourt
Purpose: Defensive shot
The net lift sends the shuttle high up to your opponent’s baseline. It is hit from very
close to the net. When you find it difficult to retrieve your opponent’s net shot, you
can choose the defensive net lift. Do not hesitate to lift it high and towards the back
court. This can prevent your opponent from striking with a net kill. Practice to lift the
shuttle high enough so the shuttle won’t hit the net.
 
Net Kill
Trajectory: Flat and downwards
Played from: Fore court
Purpose: To end a rally
A very useful shot to end a rally when your opponent executes a poor quality (too
high) net shot.
Practice these shots and master them.

Question 1
 Refers to a shot that is semi-offensive. It’s performed from the back of the
court and is usually used to maintain the pace of the game.
Response: DROP SHOT
Correct answer: DROP SHOT
Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 2
 This is badminton shots along the net and are used to create opportunities
and dominate the front of the court.
Response: NET SHOT
Correct answer: NET SHOT
Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 3
 This is a more powerful version of the badminton smash. It is also one of the
hardest badminton shots to perform.
Response: JUMP SMASH
Correct answer: JUMP SMASH
Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 4
 A very useful shot to end a rally when your opponent executes a poor quality
(too high) net shot.
Response: NET KILL
Correct answer: NET KILL
Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 5
 It is one of the most powerful badminton shots that is fired from a vertical
angle.
Response: SMASH
Correct answer: SMASH
Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 6
 Refers to flat shot hit directly and slightly over the net. It is a very powerful
and quick counter attacking shot.
Response: DRIVE
Correct answer: NET KILL
Score: 0 out of 1 No
Question 7
 This is a good way to get yourself more organized while you’re under
pressure and buys you some time to work yourself back into the rally.
Response: CLEAR/LOB
Correct answer: CLEAR/LOB
Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 8
 It is used when you need time to get back to the base before the next return
or if you don’t have a clear opportunity to kill and win the point
Response: CLEAR
Correct answer: CLEAR
Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 9
 It can be defined as a drive angled downwards. It can be used when the
shuttle is high in the air and can be angled downwards.
Response: SMASH
Correct answer: SMASH
Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 10
 An attacking shot sends the shuttle high up to your opponent’s baseline. It is
hit from very close to the net.
Response: NET LIFT
Correct answer: NET LIFT
Score: 1 out of 1