Most beginner badminton doubles players have experienced this awkward situation: After finally running into position to hit a high clear from the backcourt, your smashes are either so weak that the opponent easily blocks them, or you mindlessly smash to the same spot every time, allowing the opponent to predict and counterattack; your drop shots always land too high, handing the opponent free attacking opportunities, not to mention coordinating with your partner to execute consecutive offensive routines.
1. Basic Preparations Before Coordination: Stop Standing Randomly and Don’t Forget Communication¶
The prerequisite for doubles offense is that the two players have basic chemistry. Beginners should first get these two things right:
1. Clarify Positioning and Division of Labor
As the backcourt attacking player, stand near your sideline (don’t stick right to the line, leave a small buffer space), do not crowd into the center of the court to avoid racket collisions with your partner at the net. Your net front partner should stand about 1 meter in front of the service line, specifically tasked with sealing off the opponent’s net front gaps. Do not run too far back to snatch your hitting position.
2. Simple Pre-match Communication
You can quietly shout “Smash!” or “Drop!” during the game to alert your partner in advance. For example, if you see the opponent’s net front player standing very close to the net, shout “Drop!” so your partner can prepare to seal the net front gaps. If the opponent’s backcourt player retreats slowly, shout “Smash!” to directly launch an attacking drop.
2. Beginner Quick Guide: Two Easy-to-Master Smash Skills¶
Don’t go after heavy smashes right away. Mastering “accurate smashes” is more important than anything else:
1. Forehand Smash (Most Commonly Used)
Simplified movement: Keep a forehand grip, turn sideways and raise your racket above your shoulder, quickly flick your forearm forward, and lightly snap your wrist at the last moment. Choose the hitting point slightly in front of your body’s forward direction (don’t go too far back, otherwise you’ll easily send the shot flying), and drive the ball down into the opponent’s court.
Beginner Tips: Prioritize smashing into the opponent’s middle gaps or the space between the two opponents. There’s no need to deliberately aim for the sidelines; accuracy matters more than power.
2. Drive Smash (Fast Smash)
If you find full-power smashes too tiring, learn the drive smash: The preparation swing is smaller than a regular smash, using only your forearm and wrist for power. The shot speed is faster, perfect for catching the opponent off guard, and beginners can pick it up quickly.
3. Deceptive Drop Shot Skills: Pair Perfectly With Smashes¶
The core of a drop shot is to make the movement almost identical to a smash, so the opponent cannot guess whether you will smash or drop. This is the key to effective coordination:
1. Simple Practice Method for Forehand Drop Shots
The preparation swing is exactly the same as a forehand smash. The only difference is that instead of hitting with full power, you lightly slice the side of the cork with your wrist at the moment of impact, sending the ball to the opponent’s front sideline or net front gaps, making the ball land close to the net. Do not lift the drop shot too high and give the opponent free attacking opportunities.
2. Drop Shot Placement Selection: Prioritize dropping to the opponent’s backhand net front or the gaps where the opponent’s net front player is positioned. For example, if the opponent’s net front player is standing in their forehand net area, drop to their backhand net front, making it hard for them to return the shot quickly.
4. Complete Smash-and-Drop Coordination Routine: Beginners Can Follow This Template¶
The complete steps for combining smashes and drop shots, which beginners can follow step by step:
1. Pre-shot Preparation: After receiving the opponent’s high clear, first observe the opponents’ positioning, then communicate the offensive plan with your partner in advance.
2. Alternating Attacks: First hit a smash to pressure the opponents, making them afraid to stand too close to the net; on the next shot, switch to a drop shot to pull the opponent’s net front player back, leaving the backcourt player too late to retreat to defend; on the following shot, smash into the opponent’s gaps. Alternate between smashes and drop shots to keep the opponent guessing your tactics.
Here’s a practical example: The opponent’s net front player is standing in their forehand net area, and their backcourt player retreats slowly. First shout “Smash!” and drive the ball to the opponent’s middle, forcing the opponent to barely lift the ball back up. At this point, the opponent’s net front player is forced to retreat to save the shot, so you immediately drop the ball to their original forehand net front gap, where your partner is already standing ready to seal the net, scoring directly.
3. Follow-up Positioning After Smash/Drop: This is the step beginners forget most often!
- After a smash, quickly retreat to the mid-backcourt position to prepare for the opponent’s return, while your net front partner stays at the net to seal gaps.
- After a drop shot, the opponent will most likely lift a high clear back to your backcourt. At this point, you can continue attacking or drop to another spot.
4. Quick Transition: Don’t stop after finishing one shot. Immediately return to your designated position to prepare for the next rally.
5. 5 Pitfalls Beginners Should Avoid¶
- Only know how to smash, not drop: Constantly smashing to the same spot will soon be defended by the opponent. You must pair smashes with drop shots to move the opponents around.
- Hitting point is too far back: Hitting the ball after it has passed behind your body will not only reduce power but also easily lead to mis-hits.
- Failing to reposition after a smash: Standing still in a daze after smashing leaves you exposed to the opponent’s targeted returns, forcing you into passive defense.
- Not communicating with your partner: Suddenly smashing or dropping without warning leaves your partner no time to react, disrupting your coordination.
- Chasing fancy shots: Master the basic smashes and drop shots first before learning advanced techniques like slicing drops and power smashes. Otherwise, you will frequently make mistakes.
Don’t rush to score when you first start practicing. Focus on standardizing your movements and smooth coordination first. You will gradually find the rhythm of attacking, and quickly improve your doubles offensive capabilities.
