Badminton Strategy

 Badminton strategy, like any sport, is a key fundamental aspect of winning and being successful.  There are a number of different shots and serves that can be used, depending on how the match is going, and knowing what shot to use when is what makes an intelligent badminton player.  It is about court awareness and playing smart, which is learned by experience, rather then taught.  Strategy also must rely on playing to your strengths as a player, and exposing your opponents weaknesses.  Singles badminton strategy is more about positioning and maneuvering, while doubles badminton is based more on the power and aggression because there is less court to cover.
 
    In singles badminton  the men rarely use the high or long serve, due to the high level of athleticism and the ability to smash off the serve from the baseline.  Instead they mix up the low serve, flick serve and drive serve.  Serving low also gives your opponent less time to react to playing the shuttle.  As with most racket sports moving your opponent around the court plays to your advantage.  Playing the shuttle from side to side causes your opponent to have to use quick footwork, hand-eye coordination and both the forehand and backhand grips.  Knowing which stroke is your opponents weaker, will determine which side of the court you send the shuttle to the most.  Forcing your opponent to play an uncomfortable shot, may force them to make an unforced error or  set you up for your next shot to be a putaway.  Make sure after each shot to get back into ready position in the middle of the court, where you will be able to play your next shot.  If you are under attack, playing a long shot will give you an opportunity to slow the rally down and get back into position.   
 
    Different types of shots to play: defensive clear, attacking clear, fast drop shot, low drop shot, smash, net shot,drive shot, push shot.  (for a detailed explanation of these shots see the "How To Play Badminton" section of the web-page)
 
    In doubles badminton strategy and position are very important.  How each player sets up to receive the shot and, where it is placed it much more intricate then in singles play.  Communication is a necessary to be successful in doubles play. When on the attack try hitting the shuttle between your opponents or use quick net shots to confuse your opponents and catch them out of position.  Net shots will also cause your opponents to lift the shuttle on their return setting you up for the smash.  When on the attack a side-by side formation is recommended, while on the defensive a front/back position works best, because the entire court can be covered.
 
    In mixed doubles competition, the female partner usually plays the front of the court and her male partner covers the back court, unless they are in defensive position and are side to side.  The female player plays all the tight net shots and drop shots, while the male covers all the long, downward shots.  Flick serves and high long serves are used against female players in mixed doubles to force them to the back of the court.  Some female players have just as much power as their partners, and so this needs to be taken into consideration during service.     You want to try to hit your shots either just over the net in front of the first player or behind the net player but in front on the back player.  Shots in between the players in defensive formation will also cause confusion if there is a lack of communication.  
 
 
Attacking Formation:

Defensive Formation:

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