Badminton Techniques & Forehand Shots

From backyards to international meets, the game of badminton has remained a popular sport through the years. Whether you are competing in a tournament or just playing badminton for the sake of recreation, knowing the right techniques to get an edge over the competition can help with your game.

  1. About The Game

    • A game of badminton involves one to two players on each side of a net. With a racquet, players aim to hit the birdie or shuttle back over the net as it comes to their court side. Learning certain techniques in the game can help you get the shuttle back to your opponent's side, but make it harder for him to hit the target. You can give yourself an advantage with the right moves.

    Serving

    • The serve is an important part of any badminton match. If you are serving, your best bet for scoring is to serve high. If you are right-handed, put your left leg forward and your right leg behind you. Hold the shuttle at your shoulder length, letting it drop and hit the shuttle tip as it comes to your waist level. Aim for the shuttle to go high and drop just over the net. This is a particularly good play if you see your opponent positioned in the backcourt area. The goal is for the shuttle to drop before your opponent can get to the net area and hit it back.

    Positioning

    • Knowing how to position your body during a badminton game and where to stand can be just as important as the serve. To be prepared for any shot your opponent hits, always position yourself near the center. This will prepare you to move forward, backwards or side to side more easily, depending on where the shuttle is aimed. Keep your body as relaxed and limber as possible and always have your knees slightly bent and keep your legs as far apart as your shoulders.

    Using The Racquet

    • The most popular way to use your racquet to return a shuttle is the forehand shot. With your playing hand, hit the shuttle with the part of the racquet facing the palm of your hand. The forehand method allows most people to deliver the shuttle back to your opponent with more force. Forehand shots are used when the shuttle is coming down in front of you or at face level. For a shuttle that is coming to the opposite side, using a backhand shot in which the front of your hand is leading may not be quite as effective, but can often be the only way to get the shuttle back over the net.