Lob (Clear) Key Teaching Points
Forehand Lob:
This shot would normally be played from the forecourt in an underarm action. The aim is to lift or 'lob' the shuttle over your opponent and aim to make the shuttle land as near to the baseline as possible without hitting it out.
How: As you approach the shuttle move your racket forward with the wrist cocked so that your palm is facing forwards. Move towards the shuttle and take a lunge step with the dominant foot towards where the shuttle is due to land. As the shuttle drops swing the racket forwards underneath the path of the shuttle, striking it upwards whilst straightening the wrist. The follow through should continue up and finish above the non-racket shoulder.
Recover back with the dominant foot first and go back to the mid-court. The lob can be played very high and deep as a purely defensive shot. It also can be played as a building shot when it is taken earlier (higher up the net) and this shot would be played with only just enough height to go beyond your opponents reach.
This shot would normally be played from the forecourt in an underarm action. The aim is to lift or 'lob' the shuttle over your opponent and aim to make the shuttle land as near to the baseline as possible without hitting it out.
How: As you approach the shuttle move your racket forward with the wrist cocked so that your palm is facing forwards. Move towards the shuttle and take a lunge step with the dominant foot towards where the shuttle is due to land. As the shuttle drops swing the racket forwards underneath the path of the shuttle, striking it upwards whilst straightening the wrist. The follow through should continue up and finish above the non-racket shoulder.
Recover back with the dominant foot first and go back to the mid-court. The lob can be played very high and deep as a purely defensive shot. It also can be played as a building shot when it is taken earlier (higher up the net) and this shot would be played with only just enough height to go beyond your opponents reach.
Backhand Lob:
This shot would normally be played from the forecourt in an underarm action. The aim is to lift or 'lob' the shuttle over your opponent and aim to make the shuttle land as near to the baseline as possible without hitting it out.
How: This shot is much the same as the forehand lob in that players still need to reach out with the dominant foot. The main difference is that the shot is played with the thumb grip. Racket preparation involves drawing the racket back so that the back of the hand is facing towards the ground and the arm bend at the elbow and wrist cocked. The players will straighten the arm on impact with the shuttle and follow through upwards and toward the intended target. Recover back with the dominant foot first and go back to the mid-court.
The lob can be played very high and deep as a purely defensive shot but it also can be played as a building shot when it is taken earlier (higher up the net) and this shot would be played with only just enough height to get beyond your opponents reach.
This shot would normally be played from the forecourt in an underarm action. The aim is to lift or 'lob' the shuttle over your opponent and aim to make the shuttle land as near to the baseline as possible without hitting it out.
How: This shot is much the same as the forehand lob in that players still need to reach out with the dominant foot. The main difference is that the shot is played with the thumb grip. Racket preparation involves drawing the racket back so that the back of the hand is facing towards the ground and the arm bend at the elbow and wrist cocked. The players will straighten the arm on impact with the shuttle and follow through upwards and toward the intended target. Recover back with the dominant foot first and go back to the mid-court.
The lob can be played very high and deep as a purely defensive shot but it also can be played as a building shot when it is taken earlier (higher up the net) and this shot would be played with only just enough height to get beyond your opponents reach.
Forehand Overhead Clear:
The purpose of the forehand clear is used to force your opponent to the rear court. It can be played as an attacking shot or as a defensive shot. The attacking clear is hit faster and flatter into the rear corners.
The defensive clear is hit much higher and despite giving your opponent time to get behind the shuttle - it also gives you more time to get back to a base position.
How: The overhead clear is played with a throwing action. To execute the shot turn sideways on with the non racket foot forward. Prepare the racket by lining the racket head and the non racket hand up, pointing towards the shuttle. Follow the line of the shuttle back with racket and hand until just before the shuttle is in hitting range. At this stage draw the racket back behind the shoulder and form a throwing position - not dis-similar to that of a javelin thrower.
Reach up and attack the shuttle as early as you can hit it, ideally directly above or slightly in front of the hitting shoulder (somewhere between 12 and 1 o'clock).At this stage the body should turn in, transferring your body weight forward, bringing the racket hip then shoulder through. The follow through should leave the dominant side slightly closer to the net when you have finished the stroke.
During the throwing action the racket should make the sound of a 'whip' or a 'swoosh' as the racket accelerates forward. Advanced players will not only flick the wrist but also pronate the forearm to gain extra racket head speed. (THIS IS OF EVEN MORE BENEFIT WHEN MASTERING A POWERFUL SMASH).
With practice a player can perfect their timing and hit a full length overhead clear with a relaxed grip, enabling them to play the shot over and over without exerting too much energy.
NB: Performing the overhead forehand clear is not only important for the shot itself - but it also forms the technical basis for smashes and dropshots. These three strokes between them make up a large percentage of the shots in a game of badminton.
The purpose of the forehand clear is used to force your opponent to the rear court. It can be played as an attacking shot or as a defensive shot. The attacking clear is hit faster and flatter into the rear corners.
The defensive clear is hit much higher and despite giving your opponent time to get behind the shuttle - it also gives you more time to get back to a base position.
How: The overhead clear is played with a throwing action. To execute the shot turn sideways on with the non racket foot forward. Prepare the racket by lining the racket head and the non racket hand up, pointing towards the shuttle. Follow the line of the shuttle back with racket and hand until just before the shuttle is in hitting range. At this stage draw the racket back behind the shoulder and form a throwing position - not dis-similar to that of a javelin thrower.
Reach up and attack the shuttle as early as you can hit it, ideally directly above or slightly in front of the hitting shoulder (somewhere between 12 and 1 o'clock).At this stage the body should turn in, transferring your body weight forward, bringing the racket hip then shoulder through. The follow through should leave the dominant side slightly closer to the net when you have finished the stroke.
During the throwing action the racket should make the sound of a 'whip' or a 'swoosh' as the racket accelerates forward. Advanced players will not only flick the wrist but also pronate the forearm to gain extra racket head speed. (THIS IS OF EVEN MORE BENEFIT WHEN MASTERING A POWERFUL SMASH).
With practice a player can perfect their timing and hit a full length overhead clear with a relaxed grip, enabling them to play the shot over and over without exerting too much energy.
NB: Performing the overhead forehand clear is not only important for the shot itself - but it also forms the technical basis for smashes and dropshots. These three strokes between them make up a large percentage of the shots in a game of badminton.
Backhand Clear:
As with the forehand clear, the purpose of this shot is to get the shuttle over your opponents head and force them as close to the rear court as you can.
Explanation: A backhand clear is usually only played when a player is not in a position to play a forehand ('round the head') shot and as such, this is a defensive shot. This is one of the toughest shots to play in badminton. As the shuttle is struck behind the body the 'thumb' grip (often confusingly referred to as a backhand grip) should not be used. To enable the correct hitting action the thumb should be diagonally across the grip or placed on the 'bevel' of the grip.
Prior to striking the shuttle the player needs to chassis back towards the rear court and only turn away from the net as the shuttle passes over their head. The player should be looking to lunge with the racket foot in the direction of where the shuttle is due to land. The foot should touch down just before or as the shuttle is struck.
The racket preparation for this shot should be in the form of a loop action whereby the racket head goes over the hand, around and down before accelerating upwards in a 'whip' like action. At the same time extend the shoulder and elbow so that the racket arm is fully extended above the racket shoulder, with the racket pointing up at the sky. Aim to make contact with the shuttle at the highest point and above the dominant foot - or a near as possible, turning the racket shoulder towards the net in the process. Flick the wrist at the last moment to produce more racket head speed and power.
As a lot of the power comes from the flick of the wrist there is not much follow through on this shot and the racket head should generally finish its swing at the highest point. After hitting the shot switch the feet to once again face the net. Then move back to the mid-court, into the ready position.
(Teach PE, 2017)
(Head to website for videos on each shot)
As with the forehand clear, the purpose of this shot is to get the shuttle over your opponents head and force them as close to the rear court as you can.
Explanation: A backhand clear is usually only played when a player is not in a position to play a forehand ('round the head') shot and as such, this is a defensive shot. This is one of the toughest shots to play in badminton. As the shuttle is struck behind the body the 'thumb' grip (often confusingly referred to as a backhand grip) should not be used. To enable the correct hitting action the thumb should be diagonally across the grip or placed on the 'bevel' of the grip.
Prior to striking the shuttle the player needs to chassis back towards the rear court and only turn away from the net as the shuttle passes over their head. The player should be looking to lunge with the racket foot in the direction of where the shuttle is due to land. The foot should touch down just before or as the shuttle is struck.
The racket preparation for this shot should be in the form of a loop action whereby the racket head goes over the hand, around and down before accelerating upwards in a 'whip' like action. At the same time extend the shoulder and elbow so that the racket arm is fully extended above the racket shoulder, with the racket pointing up at the sky. Aim to make contact with the shuttle at the highest point and above the dominant foot - or a near as possible, turning the racket shoulder towards the net in the process. Flick the wrist at the last moment to produce more racket head speed and power.
As a lot of the power comes from the flick of the wrist there is not much follow through on this shot and the racket head should generally finish its swing at the highest point. After hitting the shot switch the feet to once again face the net. Then move back to the mid-court, into the ready position.
(Teach PE, 2017)
(Head to website for videos on each shot)