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2:58 pm
October 11, 2012
Offline
I play at a club where one particular player has not only an exceptionally hard smash, but he is very accurate in that he almost always manages to hit it at the elbow or shoulder area of his opponents. His smashes tend to be much flatter than others. So even if I manage to return it, its often weak – which he finishes on the next shot.
Whilst my defence is generally quite strong on fast and steep smashes, I do tend to struggle with smashes at my elbow/shoulder areas and often forces a weak return. This is an area I would like to improve on and would like some tips/advice from other on how you deal with these smashes.
The trouble I think I have is that I tend to expect smashes to come in steep and so I have more of a backhand grip than a forehand grip. But if I change to a neutral grip, I find sometimes I don't get enough power on backhand returns to lift hard smashes high enough.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
4:43 pm
November 3, 2013
Offline Note: I may be speaking trash because by Hong Kong definition I am still an 'upper intermediate player'. If that's the case, Paul please say so for the sake of everyone's benefit.
Something that works good for me is to use a short racket grip as this makes the ability to flick increase. Standing back a little more may also help.
Unfortunately, the area you mentioned is the most annoying place to block a smash.
I lean towards a backhand grip (not fully) when preparing to block a smash. I believe I have a similar problem to you. Lifting the arm higher and blocking backhand on the forehand side does not seem too hard.
At the moment, I find it hard to believe someone can deliver a not steep but fast smash-wouldn't that always go out?
9:31 am
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 12, 2010
Offline Not steep but hard smashes are not common, but they do exist and they do work!
The way to counter them, defensively, is to stick with the backhand grip and simply play a good drive using the backhand grip (even it it comes at your racket shoulder and you can even take these shots high on the forehand using a backhand grip too). So keep with the backhand grip! You can take any of those flat smashes that come near you with the backhand grip! Remember to take them EARLY. Do not bother lifting them – if they are coming high, just drive them back flat – its much easier and more effective.
A final note: against a flat smash, standing further forwards can make it even easier to return, as the shuttle will be really high! Experiment with standing a step further forwards.
11:06 am
October 11, 2012
Offline Thanks for the replies guys. The smashes are actually usually in, I've left a few that I thought were going out but they stayed in.
In defence, I do stand quite central which is further forward than most, as I do like to take the shuttle early, and having watched some professional players, it seem they are standing a good couple of feet further back than I do – so I'm wondering if I'm standing too far forward causing the shuttle to be too high?
As you say, high smashes aren't that common so it's something I do have trouble with.
How do you guys prepare for smashes and how do you return a hard smash to the shoulder? Backhand? Or do you change to a forehand, squat a little and drive it back?
11:32 am
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 12, 2010
Offline As mentioned in my post above – I just stand with a backhand grip, and take the shot backhand! I only use a forehand grip when the shuttle is wide on the forehand side.
Personally, I think that there is no such thing as a smash that comes “too high”… the higher it comes the easier it is to counter attack (i.e. a bad smash). You should simply take advantage of it, and drive it straight back at the smasher – they probably aren't expecting you to smack it back at them!
Good luck!
2:27 pm
VIP Coaching Program Members
December 4, 2010
Offline If possible try not to lift to him, as this will take away his best shot. If you do have to lift make sure it’s high & coming down on the back line. Have you tried deflecting his smash away from him or playing a block shot to the net..
Or something I might do is keep lifting, till you work out your own counter to his smash then this will negate one of his attacking options.
Good luck
3:32 pm
November 3, 2013
Offline Tried driving the shot back. With backhand in such an awkward grip, I cannot generate the speed and power necessary, even if my angle is correct. The trouble with this is someone with half the speed of Cai Yun would easily bury it.
4:23 pm
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 12, 2010
Offline You do not need to hit with speed or power – you do not have time! Make sure you are using a full thumb grip (backhand grip) and the shot should be relatively comfortable. Just hit it back flat into the open court in the tramlines at either side of the court! Your aim is to give it back and keep the shuttle low – nothing to do with speed and power 🙂
Don't assume that hitting the shot without much power is a failure – you need to take the pace out of your opponents attack, control your shot, and move forwards afterwards to take control of the net!
Good luck!
5:11 pm
February 15, 2011
Offline
There's lots of great advice here to learn from.
To me the answer is fairly simple. As always preparation is key. Many players stand too tall when defending which means they are unable to respond quickly to sudden, unexpected changes in pace or direction. So, to begin with I'd check on body preparation and then hand/racket position.
I see players defending with such a pro backhand grip and position that shuttles smashed into the racket hip or shoulder become hard to defend. I always encourage players to straighten the racket but retain a backhand grip. This provides the best defensive preparation.
Paul
3:07 pm
March 10, 2013
Offline Sound advice as usual.
A couple of points to reiterate.
I assume the smashes are coming from the rear court and you are defending from mid court. If the shuttle is hitting you at shoulder height then it is quite high when crossing the net. Although it needs a bit of a leap of faith, take Matts advise and step closer to the net.
If you do this then, as Paul says, you have to be well prepared to react quickly to enable a good fast flat reply.
Try practicing with a feeder standing mid court and hitting shuttles hard at the target areas. This should give you the confidence to take the shuttle early and help with the placement of the return.
Hope this helps.
Roger
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