Badminton Strategies

Being able to use badminton strategies in a game is essential in winning crucial points and games. Just knowing how to smash powerfully will not bring a player success if one don't have a game plan. A good badminton strategy is a vital part of the game. It can be the deciding factor in winning badminton rallies. Besides having good badminton skills, different sets of strategies are important to help a player when dealing with different opponents. There are some strategies for single player, double players and mix double players.

Singles Badminton Strategies

One simple badminton strategy often used in singles is to serve long and high to player’s opponent to back court. This will force player’s opponent to move back to the baseline and open up his/her forecourt. Throw in some disguised low serve occasionally and player might just catch their opponent off guard and win a point outright. Nowadays, professional men's singles seldom use the long serve. This is because the professional players are extremely athletic and possess great techniques. They can jump really high and smash powerfully even from the baseline. It all depends who the players are playing with. If the high serve turns out to be a player’s opponent favorite and put the player under pressure, they have to use the low serve. Always try to hit the shuttle away from opponent and make opponent move around the court. One exception to this rule is that when players encounter a tall opponent, they might want to smash straight to his/her body to gain an advantage. Therefore, players have to observe their opponent's strength, weakness, favorite shots and pattern of play to use it as an advantage to score. The players aim is to make their opponent play a weak return, such as a weak backhand shot from the back court. If the plan works and forces a mistake or a poor return which can make a 'kill', the plan can be used again. If it is not working then the players have to make some changes. The key is to be flexible. If one is in a difficult situation in the game and when their opponent is not, they will need to make time for themselves to recover to a favorable position. Do this by hitting the shuttle high towards the back of the court, preferably near the middle of the baseline. Players opponent will find it difficult to catch them out  with acute angled returns from there. Remember always to get back to base position in the midcourt area after making each shot. This is a position where players can possibly reach any of their opponent's shots.

Doubles Badminton Strategies

In doubles play, the strategy is to serve low so that the serving side would not be placed in a defensive position. If players are serving low, take position on the front and part of the midcourt area immediately. Player’s partner shall cover the back court. This is known as the Attacking Formation (Front-Back).

 Players can also use the flick serve to prevent their opponent from rushing to the net. But players will have to take up a defensive position standing side by side. This is known as the Defensive Formation (side-side). When players defend, try to hit the shuttle deep into opponent's court. This is to prevent from the opponent in the front position intercepting the shuttle from mid to front court. When a chance presents itself, push or drive the shuttle to the area in between the opponents. Or make a return to the front court of the opponents, forcing them to lift the shuttle. In this instance, the player who played that shot will have to take up the front position immediately while the partner takes the back. An attacking formation shall be formed. If player is taking the back position, their aim is to make shots that can create openings for their partner to 'kill' in the front court. In all types of doubles play, teamwork is the key to success. Players have to figure out how to make the best out of your skills together. Besides, players will find this much easier if they communicate well with each other. Do not leave it to guesswork! Talk to your partner. A quick word on court might change the result of a game which is slipping away from you.

Mixed Doubles Badminton Strategies

In mixed doubles, women will usually play in the front of the court and her partner takes the shots that get past her. The man should try to hit downward shots or horizontal shots, while the woman should play net kills and tight net shots. Both players should be in a good position to push the shuttle low over the net to the mid court area, just past the front player's area but in front of the back player. The woman should always assume a front position in an attacking formation (Front-Back) unless forced to move to the back. When defending, the defensive formation (Side-Side) is used. Apply flick serve frequently to the woman receiver forcing her to the back court. Badminton is not only a physical demanding game, it is mentally challenging as well. Players will come to a stage where skills and fitness alone will not be enough to beat their opponents. Having the right badminton strategies in place will give players extra edge. 

By, Ow Jia Wen

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