In badminton, players must keep the shuttlecock in play by hitting it over the net and within bounds before it hits the surface of the court. Players win points when their opponents cannot return the shuttlecock before it hits the ground, or when they hit it into the net or out of bounds. To win a match, you must win the best of 3 games. To win a game, you must win 21 points with a 2-point margin of victory. Keep certain strategies in mind when you play to help you win the match.
Step 1
Choose to serve first, if you win the coin toss. Serving first in a match immediately puts you in an offensive position and your opponent in a defensive position.
Step 2
Serve the shuttlecock high and long to the back of your opponent's court. Long serves will force your opponent to move away from the center of the court, the best position from which to cover the court and attack the shuttlecock. Be aware that your opponent can attack a high serve with a hard downward shot. You should find it easier, however, to return any attack your opponent makes from the back of the court than an attack from the center. If, on the other hand, you notice your opponent consistently taking advantage of the high and long serve, change your tactic and hit lower serves.
Step 3
Hit shots that consistently require your opponent to move away from the center of the court. Keep your opponent moving from one side of the court to the other to tire her out quickly. For example, you might hit a long and high shot followed by a short drop shot. Hit to the corners of the court to force your opponent to cover the most distance possible. The Badminton Bible suggests that this strategy, known as movement pressure, comes in handy for singles players in particular. Singles players face the difficult task of covering the whole court. You can make this task even more difficult for your opponent by creating movement pressure.
Step 4
Vary your shots to keep your opponent guessing. Hit with different amounts of force and vary the placement of your shots. Also change the speed and placement of your serves to avoid becoming predictable.
Step 5
Hit the shuttlecock downward and low over the net when you notice your opponent is in a position at the back of the court. Shuttlecocks traveling downward rather than upward require your opponent to hit a high defensive shot. If your opponent is standing at the net when you hit a low shot, however, he might be able to block it back onto your side of the court to win the point. Save your attacks for moments when your opponent is out of position.
Step 6
Recover to the center of the court after each shot. If your opponent forces you to move to the back of the court or to a corner of the court, always return to the center to have the best chance to cover all areas of the court. If you need more time to recover to the center, hit a high and long defensive shot to force your opponent to the back of the court.
Tips and Warnings
- In doubles badminton, players can rely much more heavily on the downward smash or attack hit. If an opponent blocks this shot at the net, the attacker's partner can return it.
Things You'll Need
- Shuttlecock
- Racket
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