Badminton traces its beginnings to the game battledore and shuttlecock, played in ancient Greece, China, Japan and India. First appearing in its contemporary version in the mid-19th century, badminton is immensely popular in Asia and Europe. Recognized as a full competition sport for the Olympic Games in 1992, badminton is the world's fastest racket sport, with recorded speeds of 260 km per hour. The sport requires speed, agility, stamina and lightning-fast reflexes.
Footwork Drills
Footwork is vital to controlling the speed and direction of your shots, and is the foundation for properly performing other badminton drills.
The first drill is to practice moving to the baseline for a full swing. Begin in the center of the court in a ready position. As the shuttle approaches, push off with your right leg and turn clockwise. Skip to the shuttle and make a forehand swing through, then return to a ready position.
The next drill is for making backhand and forehand shots when approaching the net. Begin in the ready position. As the shuttle approaches, make a small step forward with the left leg and lunge with the right as you hit the shuttle for the backhand approach. For the forehand shot, the footwork is identical except that the shuttle is returned on the forehand side.
The next drill teaches proper positioning when you receive a smash. When receiving a forehand smash, lean your body to the right and lunge with your right leg, stretching the racket hand out for a forehand swing. The opposite footwork is used in receiving a backhand smash.
Conditioning Drills
This drill develops conditioning without the necessity to stop action to retrieve the shuttle. Stand in the center of the court. A partner will direct you to various areas of the court by pointing, ensuring that the entire court is covered during the drill. Your partner should also call out "forehand" or "backhand" as you utilize the proper footwork for each shot. For the best results, commit to running this drill as if you were in competition.
The wall rally drill develops arm and wrist conditioning, and quickens your reflexes. Practice forehand and backhand strokes against a wall, standing 4 to 5 feet away. The wall should be at least 20 feet high, with a line at 5 feet to mark the net height. The quick return of the shuttle from the wall improves your reflexes and teaches you how to switch grips quickly.
Multiple Shuttle Drills
This drill begins in the ready position in the center of the court. As your partner feeds shuttles to different areas of your back court, you make returns using forehand, backhand, around the head, drop shots or smashes. After each shot, return to the starting position. To be most effective you must concentrate on playing quality shots to the other side.
The second drill is a variation on the first. This time your partner throws shuttles into your net area. You will make a net shot, net kill or a net lift using your forehand or backhand; returning to the starting position after each shot. Again, the key is to make quality returns.
Competitive
The best drill for improving your singles play is to match yourself against two opponents. The two opposing players assume a front-back position and play as if they were involved in a singles match. This drill improves fitness, speed, shot accuracy and footwork.
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