RSS
There are many different strokes in the sport of badminton. Many of these strokes are covered as standard textbook material, but some of them are not. Many of these non-textbook skills can be seen in high-level competitions where players must use every trick they know to defeat their opponent. During a world-class badminton match, the players display many skills that we are familiar with, some skills that we are not so familiar with, and other skills that we never thought was possible to use on the court. This is one of the reasons why badminton is such a fun and addictive sport.
Last time I wrote about “The Backhand Grip Forehand Shot” after watching some world-class competition. Recently I witnessed a former Chinese national women’s team player Jiang Xuelian showing off her skills in the court, and her sublime performance has given me inspiration to write another article.
Since there are “Backhand Grip Forehand Shots”, logically there are also “Forehand Grip Backhand Shots”. As the name indicates, these shots involve a player using a forehand stroke to return shots to the player’s backhand side. The most common types of forehand grip backhand shots are tilting to the backhand side to hit overhead clears, smashes, and drops. However, I also watched Ms. Jiang using many other types of these strokes to defeat skilled male opponents. The forehand grip backhand shots used by this player are very useful and potent, and they show that Ms. Jiang is indeed a world class player.
Below is a list of uncommon forehand grip backhand shots that I’ve compiled after watching matches between various advanced-level players.
Tilt to backhand side overhead drive
This move is very useful for answering quick drives to your backhand side, and the aim is to use even more velocity to overcome the velocity of your opponent’s shot. The characteristics of this stroke is that it’s fast, powerful, and flies straight at the opponent’s chest, making this move an effective counter to fast drives to the high backhand side.
Tilt to backhand side overhead smash block
This is one of Ms. Jiang’s signature moves. This stroke is to use to return relatively flat smashes to the backhand side. The characteristics of this block are that it can react very quickly and the power of the return shot can be adjusted. It’s possible to clear to the opponent’s backcourt or drop it into an empty corner, so this stroke can be used to turn the tides and start a counterattack.
Behind the back, between the legs smash block
In world-class competitions you can sometimes see players using this stroke to return smashes. The situation for using this stroke is that the opponent’s smash is close to your body but your racket is not in front of you. In this situation you can put your racket behind your back and between your legs in an attempt to block the smash.
Behind the back waist position smash block
Another “trick shot” that’s seen in world class competitions, this stroke involves putting your arm behind the back so that the racket head is on the waist of your backhand side. One of the most famous practitioners of this move is famous Indonesian player Taufik Hidayat, and bellows are some videos of him using this amazing skill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woSj8x3hx3k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKZZDT5r4rY&feature=related
Near-net forehand diagonal drop on the backhand side
The signature move of famous Danish player Peter Gades, the net shot involves using a forehand stroke to return a drop shot to the backhand side. Instead of returning the shot with the backhand, you let the shuttle fall a little further and then swing backwards with a forehand stroke, thereby dropping the bird to the other corner. Here is a video of the move.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV8hk1-fdmc&feature=related
Turned-around baseline underhand drive
When the opponent clears to your backhand baseline corner, there will be times when you won’t be able to reach the optimum position for hitting the return clear. Instead of trying to hit the backhand clear, you take one more step towards the bird so that your back is facing the net. At that moment you can use a hard, underhand forehand swing to drive the shuttle back towards your opponent and catch them off guard.
Turned-around baseline underhand cross-court drop
Similar to the above technique, the only difference is that this stroke will attempt to drop the shuttle in the diagonally opposite corner near the net. My good friend Su Zhi often uses this stroke to surprise opponents and spectators alike.
Baseline backwards between the legs drive
The final trick shot technique in this article, this stroke is used when the shuttle is falling from high path towards the baseline. With your back turned towards the net, you run towards the shuttle and let it fall to your knees and then use a forehand stroke the drive the shuttle backwards through your legs and towards the opponent’s court.
As you can see from the list, forehand grip backhand shots can be separated into offensive and defensive categories. The offensive ones are more commonly used and are more likely to succeed. Using these techniques during a game requires fitness, speed, power, fast reaction, and some quick thinking. If you want to learn and master these techniques, the best way to do it is to consult professional badminton coaches and/or (former) professional players for their advice.