New badminton doubles beginners will almost certainly encounter two most frustrating problems: either making frequent mistakes at the net and being pinned down by opponents’ drop shots, or mindlessly running around following the opponent’s rhythm, exhausted after the whole game yet scoring very few points. As long as you master net smashes and learn to control the match rhythm, even total beginners can put up impressive performances in doubles tournaments.
Master Net Smashes First: Your Fast Scoring Weapon in Doubles Tournaments¶
What are net smashes, and when should you use them?¶
Simply put, a net smash is a technique where you quickly swing your racket to return the shuttlecock to the opponent’s net area right after it crosses the net, before it reaches its highest point. It has a high success rate and is a great way for beginners to score points in doubles tournaments. It works best in these scenarios:
1. Opponent serves a poor net shuttle, such as a serve that goes out of bounds or is too far from the net
2. Opponent’s clear shot is insufficient, only reaching the midcourt area near the net
3. When the opponent chops and drops the shuttle to the net, and it hovers near the tape without crossing too far
Beginner-friendly smash movement breakdown¶
You don’t need fancy movements; just master the basic technique first:
1. Stance: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart front to back, with your front foot close to the net tape. Lower your center of gravity into a half-squat to enable quick movement and maintain balance. Use the “handshake” forehand grip: hold the racket handle naturally with your fingers, neither gripping too tight nor too loose.
2. Movement steps: First watch the opponent’s racket face to predict the direction of their return. As soon as the shuttle crosses the net tape, quickly lift your racket and gently “press” forward with your wrist. Your arm only needs to hold your body position—don’t swing it forcefully, otherwise you will easily lose your balance or send the shuttle out of bounds.
3. 3 mistakes beginners must avoid:
- Don’t stretch your arm fully to reach the shuttle: Stretching your arm completely to reach the shuttle not only makes you prone to losing balance and falling, but also causes you to miss the optimal timing for a net smash
- Don’t wait for the shuttle to land before smashing: Once the shuttle hits the ground, you lose the advantage of a net smash, and the opponent will have already returned to their defensive position
- Don’t hit the shuttle with excessive force: Beginners often tense up and swing too hard, which will almost certainly send the shuttle to the backcourt or even straight out of bounds
Quick practice tips¶
You can practice with a partner in your free time: Ask your partner to hit soft net drops in front of you, stand in the correct position and practice net smashes. Don’t chase speed at first; focus on finding the timing to hit as soon as the shuttle crosses the net. Speed up the rhythm only after you get the hang of it.
Control Match Rhythm: Your Court Dominance Tips for Doubles Tournaments¶
Doubles tournaments often require playing multiple matches. Beginners have less stamina and experience than regular players. Instead of fighting head-on with technical skill, learn to control the rhythm and take the game into your own hands.
Test first: 3 shots to uncover your opponent’s weaknesses¶
Don’t jump into hard smashes at the start of the game. Use 3 test shots to quickly figure out your opponent’s weaknesses:
1. First play two slow net drops to see if your opponent can smash the net quickly. If they keep missing, their net technique is poor, and you can use more net tactics.
2. Then push one clear shot to the backcourt to see if your opponent can return it quickly. If they can’t cover the backcourt, you can press their backcourt more to score points.
3. If your opponent plays at an extremely fast pace and keeps rushing you to return the shuttle, intentionally slow down the rhythm and play a few slow chops to disrupt their flow.
Rhythm-changing techniques exclusive to doubles tournaments¶
- Save stamina for critical matches: If you have multiple matches on the same day, when facing opponents of similar strength, play more net rallies and run fewer long backcourt distances to reserve stamina for later tough matches. When facing weaker opponents, don’t go all out, and save your stamina for stronger competition.
- Suddenly change rhythm to disrupt your opponent: For example, if you have pushed three backcourt shots in a row and your opponent has gotten used to running to the backcourt, suddenly drop a soft net shot. Your opponent will almost certainly not have time to get back into position, and you can easily score with a net smash.
- Don’t let your opponent dictate the rhythm: If your opponent likes to smash constantly, play more net drops to prevent them from jumping up to smash, and slowly pull the game into the rhythm you are good at.
Beginner mindset adjustment: Don’t take wins and losses too seriously¶
Many beginners get so nervous during doubles tournaments that their hands shake, even missing shots they practiced perfectly. Remember that doubles tournaments are meant for practice. Every lost point is a chance to find your own shortcomings. Don’t care about short-term wins and losses; staying relaxed will help you play better.
Final beginner’s practical summary¶
Combine net smashes and rhythm control, and you can put up solid performances in doubles tournaments: First use test shots to uncover your opponent’s weaknesses, then use net smashes to score points. When facing strong opponents, slow down the rhythm to drain their stamina; when facing weaker opponents, quickly find opportunities to score. Spend just 10 minutes practicing your net smash feel each day, and you will be able to play comfortably in your next doubles tournament.
Also remember to do 5-10 minutes of warm-up before the game, loosen your wrists, ankles and shoulders to avoid sports injuries.
