At higher levels of badminton doubles, both sides will frequently switch roles during rallies between attacking and defending, such as this example from the men’s Olympic final in 2004. Watch below!
Strategy in shot selection and execution strategies is integral for players looking to gain an advantage against their opponent. In this article, we will focus on doubles offensive shot selection and execution strategies.
Defensive Shots
Badminton doubles is an intricate game of coordination. Success depends heavily on teams understanding each other’s playing styles and being able to predict what their opponents will do, while having strong communication and trust between themselves in order to outwit their rivals; one method to accomplish this goal is deception – wherein a simple shot fools an opponent into thinking the shuttlecock will travel one direction when in reality it has actually gone another.
An effective defensive shot for Badminton rallies is the drop. This easy technique can look like either a drive or clear, using just enough force to push the shuttlecock over the net without it dropping to the ground; giving your opponent an illusion of security before convincing them they must chase after it, ultimately costing them their rally victory.
Blocks can also be an excellent defensive shot to try. All it requires is shifting your feet side-to-side rather than forward and backward, creating a tight defense and making it hard for opponents to break through. It is especially useful when opponents attempt long cross-court smashes that would otherwise be difficult for you to defend against from forward positions.
Short serves are another effective defensive strategy to force your opponents to lift the shuttlecock, making it more difficult for them to attack with high shots while speeding up rallies. Remember that Badminton is a fast-paced sport; being quick at adapting to changes in opponent tactics and winning rallies increases your odds of victory in matches. In order to become an even greater badminton player, practice both offensive and defensive shots regularly.
Attacking Shots
Badminton doubles is an exciting, fast-paced game in which players must quickly adapt to their opponents’ play styles and strategies. By employing a strong net game, performing precise shots and footwork and communicating effectively with your partner, your chances of victory in doubles badminton matches increase significantly.
While badminton doubles offers many offensive shots to choose from, one effective offensive strategy is keeping your shuttle low and angling it toward your opponent so they lift their shot – this allows you to then attack with heavy smashes or speedy drops.
As soon as you are in attack position, it is critical to watch and respond quickly when an opponent hits above your waist or below it – this requires good communication and practice!
When playing your match, pre-game analysis should also be a top priority to assess opponents’ weaknesses and strategies. One strategy would be serving hard in front court so as to win rallies through quality service while maintaining control in back court action.
Attributes essential to successful attacking are using various techniques to cause confusion among your opponents and make returning attacks harder for them. You could try cross-court shots or drops placed slightly higher than partner to deceive opponents and prevent mistakes that would cost them the game.
As a defender, it is crucial to remain close to your partner and look out for opportunities to block. When an opponent attempts to smash the shuttle, move quickly forward to intercept it before attacking with speedy net shots or deep defense/block shots; practicing these skills and communicating with one another are key in developing perfect timing and angle for these tactics.
Returns
Badminton doubles requires open communication between partners and an in-depth knowledge of one another’s playing styles, so as to outwit opponents more easily and secure victory in matches. Knowing your opponents’ weaknesses and strengths can help you outwit them more efficiently; strategies may be employed in order to strategically select shots in order to outwit your rivals and win matches more often.
To improve your chances of scoring points early in a match, it’s essential that you attack early with purpose and manage the rally. Doing this will prevent opponents from mounting an effective counterattack and result in faster rallies overall. A well-executed shot can not only win you points but keep opponents on their back foot for quicker rallies!
An effective strategy to do this is by serving short backhand serves to the center or front court – this will reduce their reaction time and force them to attack early in the match.
Play a high lift shot early to attack the shuttlecock early and increase your chance of hitting it cleanly, and thus scoring points. When returning such shots it is essential to use all aspects of your body when returning it for maximum success; mastering this type of shot can take considerable practice to perfect.
Serve the shuttlecock low enough so as to avoid hitting the net. A perfect serve balancing on the net cord may work, but oftentimes more effective is touching it lightly with either racket edge or frame side, causing it to skim the net without touching anyone from opposing team.
Not only must you attack and serve, it is also essential that you understand your opponents’ counterattacks and defensive positioning. By studying their game, it becomes much easier to anticipate their reaction and execute your plan accordingly. Using deception may help fool opponents into believing the shuttlecock is heading in one direction when in fact you made another shot altogether in another area.
Counter-Attack
Badminton is an action-packed racket sport played between two teams of two players. Each side attempts to hit the shuttlecock (known as “birdie”) over the net into their opponent’s court, while simultaneously trying to stop their counterparts from doing the same. Rallies continue until either one side cannot return it or it lands out of bounds; during which players switch between attacking and defending in order to position themselves optimally for making shots.
At a badminton doubles game, both players must understand the defending position. A standard defensive strategy should involve standing side-by-side with your partner; those covering lifts should stand at the back half of their court while those covering net shots should stand nearer the front; this way if your opponent attempts to lift the shuttlecock you and your partner will be prepared to intercept it and return the shuttle.
Defense players should also remain cognizant of where their opponents are on the court. A centre line runs down the middle and meets at the front near the net; this line is known as “front service”. Since doubles service courts are wider than singles courts, making it harder for your opponent to hit short serves.
Dependent upon the situation, an attacking pair will typically rotate weaker players to the back and stronger players to the front in order to take full advantage of a partner’s ability to smash. To accomplish this efficiently and successfully requires excellent verbal and nonverbal communication amongst partners.
Badminton is an extremely strenuous sport that demands physical fitness and determination from its participants. The rapid tempo of play combined with intense training sessions can put great strain on the body – especially during doubles matches which often move faster and are more intense than singles matches. Therefore, players should aim to condition their bodies so as to withstand the strain of play without incurring injuries in this physically demanding sport.