LESSON 3
BASIC SILLS IN BADMINTON
Introduction
Playing badminton is fun, but takes a lot of time in learning the skills on
playing it. This list is just the basics and doesn’t cover any advanced skills and
tactics. There is a lot to master even with these basic skills. Some of these skills
are harder to master than others and some have different levels of mastery. If
you want to master these skills then read on.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, students will be able to:
A. enumerate the different skills of Badminton;
B. demonstrate the skills in playing Badminton; and
C. give importance to the different skills of playing badminton.
DISCUSSION
Basic Skills in playing Badminton
1. Gripping the racquet
Forehand Grip
o One of the most common styles of grip that your badminton friends
or your parents teach you.
o The bottom 3 fingers hold the racket handle. The thumb and index
fingers have to be relaxed. To control the directions of your shots
and to switch grip.
Shots used in forehand grip* (Smash, Drop, Clear, Forehand lift,
Forehand net shot)
Backhand Grip
o Thumb laid flat on the side of the handle.
o Before switching to backhand grip. Index finger and thumb has to
be relax, to rotate the racket
o At the point of contact, put some pressure on the thumb to
generate power.
Shots used in backhand grip* (Backhand clear, backhand drive,
backhand lift)
2. Type of Strokes
The basic strokes are:
Overhead Forehand Stroke
Overhead Backhand Stroke
Underarm Forehand Stroke
Underarm Backhand Stroke
3. Serves
The serve is the way the shuttle is put into play. Typically, the serves in
badminton are different for singles and doubles play. In singles, you want
to serve with a high long shot that will land near the back of your
opponent’s court. In doubles, you want to use a low and short serve that
will land near the front of your opponent’s court.
o Low serve
This low serve is almost a gentle tap over the net with the
shuttle, with the aim of flying just over the net, yet falling just over
the front line of his service court. It must not be too high or
predictable, otherwise it would be easy for your opponent to do an
outright smash or net kill.
o High serve
The high serve is a powerful strike upwards with the shuttle, that
aims to travel a great distance upwards and fall deep at the rear end
of the court.
o Flick serve
This flick serve is
also played upwards
but at a much lesser
altitude. It is most
common for players to
use their backhand to
execute the flick serve
and the trajectory is
lower as this grip has
less power.
This serve is executed with your forehand through underarm
action and following through. The shuttle should be dropped a bit
sideways rather than in front of your body and hit flatter.
o Drive Serve
Use this badminton serve to add some variation to your serving
game. This is considered as attacking serve and can be used in
singles and doubles. The shuttle will travel at a flatter angle pass
the net with pace.
4. Clears
A clear is hitting the birdie high and deep into the opponent’s court. It
can be used as a defensive hit to make sure your opponent cannot smash
the shuttle at you or use it to keep your opponent on the move. There is
an underhand clear, which is hit using the same motion as the serve. On
the overhand clear, you want the birdie behind your body.
5. Smash
A smash is an offensive hit which is very similar to a spike in volleyball.
You will find that the smash will be your main offensive shot in winning
points. When doing a smash, you want the shuttle in front of the body.
6. Footwork
Badminton footwork is simply having the ability to reach the shuttle
early while on balance. You can skip, shuffle, bounce, glide, chasse step or
lunge on court.
References
Badminton rules - www.barabook.k12.wi.us
Tactical Badminton - https://www.tacticalbadmintonclub.com
Starting right - https://www.myactivesg.co
