Badminton Smash

The badminton smash is one of the most exciting shots in the game of badminton and the most difficult to try and defend.  The badminton smash uses a combination of power and speed to project the shuttle downwards towards your opponents court. A perfectly executed smash can be almost impossible to defend.  The shuttle should contact the racket in front of your body, with the optimum hitting zone above the main area of your racket.  Skilled players can jump and hit the shuttle at the same time, creating even more power and speed.  This quick action also gives your opponent less time to react to where the shuttle is going to be projected.  A badminton smash takes a lot of energy, so most professional players time their smashes at the appropriate time.  Mixing your game up between smashes and drop shots etc, also keeps your opponent guessing on how to defend.  Fu Haifeng of China holds the record for the fastest smash, it was calculated at an astounding 332km/h (206 mph).  And Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia holds the record for the fastest smash recorded in singles competition at 305 km/h (189 mph).
 
There are three types of smashes :
 
The Forehand Smash:  The forehand smash carries the same motion as throwing a ball forward.  Before you even pick up your racket, a good exercise is to practice throwing the shuttle forward.  Concentrate on extended your arm high above you, and let the shuttle go when your shoulder extends in front of your body.  To use the forehand grip smash, shift your weight to your rear foot, bend your elbow and lock your wrist, use you non-racket hand to point towards the shuttle and improve timing and balance,  Contact the shuttle as high as possible and in front of your body using a strong throwing action like you are going to let go of your racket.  Straighten your elbow as you hit the shuttle and snap your wrist at the point of impact to give the shuttle extra power and and angle downwards, follow through with your racket and shift your weight onto your front foot.  Move back into defending base position.
 
The Backhand Smash: this stroke is an extremely difficult shot to master, and even the most skilled badminton layers can have trouble executing this shot. When possible use your forehand smash and an around the head forehand smash, but when it is not possible you will need to use a backhand overhead smash.  Your body will be facing the back of the net, shift your weight to your racket foot, you racket arm should be parallel to the floor, keep your arm and racket close to your body, contact the shuttle at the highest point possible in front of your body, flick your wrist at the point of contact.  A follow through is not necessary on this shot, and once again move back into ready position.
 
Around the Head Smash: this is a smash used on the non-racket side of your body.  stand square to the net, bend your body sideways to the non-racket side of your body, shift your weight to your non-racket side, bend your elbow and bring your racket behind your head, as you bring your arm around it should brush the top of your head before straightening.  Remember to transfer your weight quickly as you push off from your non-racket-leg back into ready position.
 
They key to all smashes is your wrist action, this is where you derive most of your power and speed.  The basic preparation for all three types of smashes are the same, the only difference is racket position and the point of impact.
 
Some excellent links to demonstrate the various smashes:  
 
Forehand smash explained:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QlW8_PdYbw
 
Taufik Hidayat backhand smash:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnpWxk_I-Xk
 
Compilation of smashes from Lin Dan/Lee Chong Wei match at the 2009 All-England Championships:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKC1Depuf6Q
 

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