Yang Yang Sportsware review: How to smash by Chau Yap

Badminton Smash is the most potent of all badminton shots. There is almost no defense against a well executed smash. It can be played both on the forehand and backhand sides.

The smash is a shot hit with power and speed downward to your opponent's court. The angle and the steepness of the shuttle's trajectory will make it hard for your opponent to retrieve.

Contact the shuttle further in front of your body than the clear or the drop shot. The optimum hitting zone is located somewhere above the central area of your racket.

You can also jump and smash the shuttle at the same time to generate more power and create a steeper angle for the shot. This will give your opponent even lesser time to react. As this is a more advance shot, master the normal badminton smash first before taking on any jumping smash.

The feeling of being able to smash powerfully and kill off a point is really great. But try not to get carried away. As the badminton smash requires a lot of energy, use it only when the opportunity arises. For example, a weak clear from your opponent to your midcourt area. Do not tire yourself out unnecessarily.

To learn more about the Jump Smash, please visit Essentials of Badminton Technique Video Sample: The Jump Smash

Forehand Smash

The forehand overhead smash is similar to the action of throwing a ball. If you can throw a ball well, you shouldn't have problem playing this stroke. You can always practice throwing with a shuttle first before stepping on to the court.

Here are some pointers for playing a forehand overhead smash.

- Adopt the forehand grip.

- Turn your body and stand sideways to the net with your non-racket shoulder facing the net.

- Shift your weight on to your rear foot.

- Bend your elbow and lock your wrist preparing to swing forward.

- Raise your non-racket hand and point at the shuttle to improve timing and balance.

- Contact the shuttle as high as possible and in front of your body using a strong throwing action as if you are going to throw your racket high and forward through the air.

- Straighten your elbow as you hit the shuttle.

- Snap down your wrist at the point of impact giving the shuttle extra power and angle towards your opponent's court.

- Follow through with your racket and shift your weight from your rear foot to your front foot.

- Move back to your base position.

Backhand Smash

It is difficult to play a backhand overhead smash. Even experienced players have problem with this badminton stroke. Try to play an 'around the head' forehand smash whenever possible.

However, it is important that you know how to play the backhand overhead smash. There are times when you just can't play the shuttle with your forehand.

Here are some pointers for playing a backhand overhead smash.

- Adopt the backhand grip.

- Turn your body so that your back is facing the net.

- Lead and shift your weight to your racket foot.

- Lift your arm from the shoulder with the forearm parallel to the floor.

- Hold the racket across your body with the racket head pointing down.

- Keep the racket arm and elbow close into your body.

- Hit the shuttle at a high point of contact and in front of your body.

- Flick down your wrist powerfully at the shuttle.

- A follow through is not needed.

- Move back to your base position.

Around the Head Smash

This is actually a forehand overhead badminton smash played at the non-racket side of your body. Try to use it whenever play permits as a forehand stroke is always better and more powerful than a backhand.

The techniques for hitting this shot are about the same as the forehand overhead stroke with only some minor adjustments.

Here are some pointers for playing a forehand around the head smash.

- Stand squarely to the net.

- Bend your upper body sideways to your non-racket side as your arms come through.

- Shift your weight to your non-racket leg.

- Bend your elbow and bring the racket behind your head.

- As you swing forward, your forearm will brush the top of your head before straightening.

- Transfer your body weight rapidly as your non-racket leg pushes your body back to your base position.

An important thing to note here is that whether you are playing a badminton smash, a drop shot or a clear, your wrist plays a key part in creating deception.

The basic preparations for these badminton shots are the same, only the angle of the racket face, the speed of the racket head and the point of impact is different. Keep your opponent guessing.

Practice hard on your Badminton Smash and use it wisely. Be patient and wait for the opportunity to strike.

Article by Chau Yap http://www.badminton-information.com

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