How to Defend a Smash in Badminton

In recent years, the game of badminton has evolved from a leisure sport to a fast-paced competitive game. The backyard rallies of old are now replaced by extended exchanges of powerful strokes. Today's badminton players employ a combination of perfect execution of techniques and strategic thinking to gain the competitive edge.

The most powerful stroke in badminton is the smash. A well-timed and perfectly-placed smash usually puts an end to a rally. Offensive-minded players often use smashes to apply psychological pressure on their opponents. More often than not effectively played smashes lead to lopsided games in the offensive player's favor. It is precisely this reason that learning how to defend a smash in badminton is one of the most important skills.

The best way to return a smash is to anticipate it. If you are able to anticipate the smash, you will have about 2-3 extra seconds to position your body and adjust your racket head to defend the smash. To be able to anticipate smashes, you will need to have either adequate competitive seasoning, effective scouting of your opponent, or both.

The best way to develop your skills is through competitive seasoning. The more games you play the more developed your court sense and techniques will be. Match experience will allow you to pick up on your opponent's tendencies and predict his next smash.

Effective scouting of your opponent can also help you anticipate a smash. Knowing what type of player is your opponent is very useful. An aggressive player will attempt a smash at every opportunity. The person on the receiving end should expect a smash whenever the shuttlecock is high enough for such an attempt. On the other hand, a less aggressive player tends to use smashes as strategic shots rather than rally-ending shots. One should adapt to this accordingly.

Being able to anticipate smashes alone is not enough. Advanced players sometimes use smashes as set-up shots. Since powerful smashes often force a weak response from the receiver, the offensive player can capitalize on the weak return and finish off the rally with a drop shot or a powerful clear. It is important that the player on the receiving end must not just block the shuttlecock back indiscriminately. Rather, he or she should guide or place the shuttlecock back to a court area that won't give the offensive player an advantage.

Lastly, returning a smash is both a challenge and an opportunity. Hitting a smash often leaves the offensive player vulnerable, position wise. An effective return against the smash can put an end to a rally or help set up your subsequent shots. It is also a great way for the defensive player to apply counter pressure on the aggressive player and knock him off his game.