Badminton is a popular sport in the world, it is also a sport that requires high physical strength and agility. Although it is not too difficult for you to get started in this sport, to master it you need to practice some basic skills in badminton to reach the top in this personally demanding sport.
So, what are badminton skills and techniques for beginners? In this article, we will look at all the basics the beginner requires to get playing and enjoying this great sport.
The fundamental skills you need to play Badminton
Agility is important in badminton since you must be able to move swiftly around the court, but don’t worry if you aren’t the most agile; playing often will help you develop in this area. Let’s take a look at some of the talents and tactics that a master player will require.
#1. Warm-up properly
In any sport, it is important to warm-up well before playing to avoid injury. A startup can be seen as a combination of skill and a bit of know-how. Badminton players of any level should know how to properly warm-up before stepping onto the court. This proves that you are ready to join the match.
Warm-up for 3-5 minutes with easy motions like high-speed skipping for five minutes, a simple set of jumping jacks, squats, burpees, lunges, and knee tucks each for one minute, or jog down the hall at a fast pace for five minutes, and so on.
#2. Forehand and backhand grip
A vital skill is learning the forehand and backhand grips. It’s critical to get this correctly since it’s the foundation for learning all of the shots in badminton. The basic forehand and backhand grips are simple to pick up, and you can practice them directly at home.
The only difference between the two types of strokes is how they are played with fingers.
- When playing forehand strokes, move the index finger forward.
- When playing backhand strokes, push the thumb forward.
Whatever grip you use, make sure you hold your badminton racket softly.
In fact, the grasp should be so light that it may be pulled away from your hands by someone else. This can help you avoid wrist problems and increase your shot’s angle and flexibility.
Read More: How Many Points Is The Game Of Badminton Played To Win?
#3. Improve footwork
One of the most significant parts of badminton is footwork. You must constantly modify your speed in response to the shuttlecock’s speed. Because the players have a little area to move, strong footwork is essential.
You will be able to preserve energy and face shots coming from any direction if you use appropriate footwork. In fact, some coaches place a greater emphasis on footwork than on other talents.
The following are the six parts of footwork:
- Front forehand corner: On your forehand side, this is the corner closest to the net.
- Front backhand corner: Located on your backhand side corner, closest to the net.
- Forehand defense: On your forehand side, in the center of the court.
- Backhand defense: Located on your backhand side in the center of the court.
- Back forehand corner: The corner on your forehand side that is closest to the backline.
- Back forehand corner: The corner on your backhand side that is closest to the backline.
Tips for good footwork include:
- Always remember the base (starting point).
- Only take a couple of steps backward.
- Only shuffle one step to the side.
- Only take a few steps forward.
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#4. The ready stance
The stance refers to how you stand when playing badminton, both during rallies and prior to serving. Proper posture will help you to efficiently return your opponent’s strokes and gain an edge in rallies. In badminton, there are three basic stances:
Defensive Stance
You must be prepared with the defensive stance to counter an opponent’s smash. Place your racket in front of you at waist height, slightly pointing forward, with your back to the net. You can maintain your non-racket arm at ease while improving your balance.
Because you’ll need to make a quick, unconscious judgment while returning the shot, you may also use this stance to complete a high clearance.
Attacking Stance
You can return a short or high lift from your opponent while in the offensive stance. To use the offensive stance, stance yourself behind the shuttlecock, elevate your arm, then shift your weight to your racquet leg and smash the shuttlecock.
You may also send a drop shot by using the offensive posture and depending on the opponent’s stroke. When receiving the shuttlecock from the front or back of the court, drop shots can be employed.
Net Stance
This Stanceis used to anticipate the opponent’s return following a net shot. To play this shot, step forward with your racket foot while maintaining your non-racket foot at the rear. Raise the non-racket arm while placing the racket in front of the torso, slightly above waist height. Pounce forward by shifting your body weight forward slightly.
Using a tumbling net shot is one technique to get into the net stance. The falling net shot causes the shuttlecock to tumble and spin above the net, directly onto your opponent’s court.
Your body will automatically position itself in the net posture after sending a crashing net shot. Prepare to conduct a net kill move to an aggressive posture to perform a winning smash while in the net stance.
Read More: How Many Games Are In a Badminton Match? Time for Each Round
#5. The serve
In badminton, one of the most basic skills to learn is serving. You should also make sure to make a legal serve since failing to do so might result in penalty points.
A solid serve will almost certainly earn you points and may even give you a slight advantage during the rally. In badminton, based on the shuttle’s landing aim, there are two types of service.
High Serve
When you want to compel your opponent to rush to the back of the court, you hit the shuttlecock toward the back end of the court with a high serve (sometimes the corner).
In reality, opponents who are capable of executing a hard smash are served a high serve. A perfectly executed high serve will always be met by a lob or a drop from your opponent.
Serving the shuttle to the opponent’s backhand region is often advised. This is done to take advantage of the majority of players’ weaker backhands.
Low Serve
By striking the shuttlecock toward the front of the court, the low serve is utilized to push the opponent forward. If you hit a fantastic low serve, your opponent will have to run forward and beneath the shuttle to return it. You might be able to return the shot with a net kill/smash depending on the quality of the return.
#6. The Smash
Smashing is essential for improving your badminton game and performing greater strokes. Smashes can be divided into three categories:
Smash with the forehand
When the shuttlecock is on your racket side, you should play forehand strokes. As you swing overarm or underarm, your index finger will control the forehand stroke. To play a forehand stroke, swing your wrist with your index finger as support. For novices in badminton, this technique is a game-changer.
Read More: What Is A Forehand Shot In Badminton? [Detailed Explain]
Smash with the backhand
This is one of the most difficult strokes in badminton, and even experts have trouble performing it. However, in order to improve one’s skill level, it is necessary to practice and master the method.
Getting the backhand grip is crucial for this stroke to be successful. To play a backhand shot, place the back of your hand in front of the racquet and swing your wrist forward while supporting yourself with your thumb.
It’s also critical to revert to your original posture. In badminton, mastering the backhand smash takes years of work and consistency.
Smashing a jump
A forehand smash that includes a timed leap count as a jumping smash. The most gorgeous badminton skill is this one.
#7. Drop Shot
The drop shot is the most technical of all the basic abilities in badminton. Badminton Drop Shots are delicate badminton shots that might earn you points by deceiving your opponent.
These are used to move the opponent to the frontcourt and are played with both the backhand and forehand. This allows you to take advantage of space in the midcourt and backcourt.
Drop shots can be slow or quick, depending on the scenario. If correctly developed, this essential badminton talent may transform an intermediate player into an expert.
Read More: How to play badminton double? [Best & Detailed instructions]
Conclusion
Any badminton player needs to master these 6 basic skills to become a real badminton player. To become a professional badminton player you need to spend more time practicing each of these skills, no matter how ‘basic’ they may seem.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article, hope you have found badminton skills and techniques to apply to your badminton game.