Badminton Techniques

Take a shot

The object of badminton is to hit a shuttlecock (also called a birdie) over a net and keep the birdie in motion between both sides without letting it hit the ground, go out of bounds, or be hit more than once by one side. A player (or team) earns points when the opposing side is unable to return the birdie. Badminton has many similarities to tennis.

How to win

In order to score a point, a player must be on the serving team (the one that first puts the shuttlecock in motion). A player is allowed to continue serving if they win the volley. Usually, badminton games are played to 15 points. Women's singles games are played to 11 points.

Get your moves on

If you already know the basics of badminton, you may be looking for a few tips to help improve your technique. Here's the lowdown on some shots that should help your game in no time.

Clear shot. This is the most basic badminton shot, and involves hitting the birdie overhead from the backcourt to the opponents backcourt. Because the birdie travels high in the air, it allows you time to move around.

Smash shot. This shot can be hit from anywhere in the forecourt. Using a quick, downward motion, the smash is a great way to win points because it can be difficult for the opponent to return.

Drive shot. This shot involves hitting the birdie in the front or on the side of the body. The drive pushes the opponent to the backcourt while keeping the birdie low. (Think of a line drive in baseball).

Drop shot. Here, the birdie is hit from the backcourt into the opponent's forecourt. Hit overhead, the goal of this shot is to make it drop just over the net.

Lift shot. This shot is hit in front of the body in an upward motion, typically while the player is near the net. The birdie should land in the opponent's backcourt after it has been lifted there.

Net shot. One of the more difficult shots to return, a net shot is hit in front of the body near the net. The goal is to make the birdie drop just over the net. Your opponent won't have time to reach it if he/she is in the backcourt.

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