Jump Smash | Intermediate - General Q&A | Discussion Forum

I like this topic because it's rare we get to dicuss jump smashing with players.

Let's walk through this one a little…

If the player prepares to jump smash by turning sideways to the shuttle i.e. standard preparation, then the hips will have been turned with the racquet hip at the back.

As the player jumps, the trunk rotates in order to allow full range of movement in the shoulders. The hips must rotate to support the rotation in the upper body, otherwise the player will run the risk of serious lower back injury. With me so far?

Many players still use a scissor kick kind of footwork with the jump smash that assists with the rotation. Hence, the racquet leg will come through with the momentum and be the leading leg when landing.

If we really slowed the landing down, there may be descrepancies on which leg lands first, but we're talking fraction of seconds in some cases.

What matters most after landing is that there is momentum to carry the player into recovery. If so, the non racquet leg will be ready to move forward quickly to begin movement back to base.

The exception here can be a player moving sideways to forehand RC in doubles and jump smashing whereby the racquet leg may not come through due to sideways momentum and will need to move to the right to balance. I've seen JJS do this recently in a match and only wish I could remember the video to post a link. It was youtube, and the camera angle from the back really showed this technique well. (Mental note to have a pad handy when I'm next on youtube).

Bottom line here guys is that whatever works for you consistently well is good. But, if you're developing a technique that has flaws then I'd be wary.

I think I need to re-visit youtube now as this footage is bugging me!

Paul