Attacking the Net

EVERY BADMINTON PLAYER KNOWS IT: the net can be your friend or enemy. Attacking the net requires a lot of shot perfection, patience, and practice. The net is a potent ally to those who can deliver the smoothest drops, smash drops or drives but an adversary to those susceptible to ill-angled shots that hardly get to cross the opponent’s side of the court.

Netting is as important as powerful smashes and drives in completing a game strategy as it sets up the position for the kill by tempting the opponent to lift the shuttlecock. It also breaks up the opponent’s position and prevents them from getting offensive.



For instance, a long-range drop that falls right at the side corner of the net can sometimes be as lethal as powerful smash that smacks right in the center of the court. Most especially when the opponent least expects it.

Ideally, net plays should bring the shuttlecock as close to the net as possible, forcing the opponent to move closer to the net and create a space somewhere in the court for a chance to kill. Once the shuttlecock crosses the net, it should be kept as low as possible - or otherwise simply encourage an attack from the other side. The shot tries to avoid giveaway shots.



Whether executing long-range drops or smash drops from the back or doing counter-drops in front, it is encourage targeting the sides of the net. By dropping the shuttlecock at the side, the opponent nearest to the net is forced to move towards one end of the court, breaking up the offensive front-back position at the center.

There are two ways to execute the drop shots: either to push or to slice.

To push the shot is to hit the shuttlecock in the same way as one would throw a dart. Or when one is set to smash except that instead of one powerful blow where you shift body weight, you control the intensity of the blow so that the shuttlecock only lands near the net. Use the wrist to tap the shuttlecock - lightly – and guide its descent towards the net. To slice the shot is to use quick wrist movements to chop off the shuttlecock towards a smooth fall. The push shot provides a downward momentum.

External Links

- All England Team

- BTV (smashmaster)