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12:27 pm
July 8, 2011
Offline
Hi everyone,
Ii hv seen a lot of players at the top level who often prefer to most of the time keep either their left or right foot slightly forward for example VIKTOR AXELSEN….why is this done and how does the foot placement depend on the shot played and position of player ?
thnx!!
regards,
varun
10:24 pm
March 2, 2010
Offline I do exactly the same thing (but then on a slightly lower international level 
). It feels kind of natural. The only time my racket foot is behind me, is to receive service, and all rear court strokes. And that's to have a good push towards the central spot on your court (in singles). Hope this clears it a bit.
Cheers, ED
4:11 pm
February 15, 2011
Offline
Varun
This foot placement is part of most players “split step” technique. This provides the player with the ability to gain speed over a short distance to retrieve the shuttle.
Generally, the right foot is slightly forward than the left in order to almost step forward and “bounce” back, therefore providing the initial thrust from which to step and jump to the rearcourt.
Most players prefer to use their racquet leg in the forward position rather than non-racquet leg. So, it could be you’ll see a players left foot forward. Check, because in most cases they will be left-handed.
I hope this helps.
Paul
9:18 pm
VIP Coaching Program Members
December 4, 2010
Offline Is it better to use large foot steps or smaller steps when covering the court? Or does it depend where abouts you are on court.
8:45 am
December 31, 2011
Offline Less steps equals less time to get to the shot. But a lot will depend on your preferred style and gait and also whereabouts you are! The further the distance the more speed you will need to get there – so you are more likely to use running steps. Provided you get into a stable position to play the shot, get there in time and don't expend too much energy then whatever works for you is good. The only proviso is that certain movements give you a bio-mechanical advantage (e.g. the split step or lunging on your racket foot) and you should (generally) adopt these.
10:30 am
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 12, 2010
Offline Ah footwork 🙂 My favourite topic. To answer your question Dobbie, in short, listen to John 🙂
In more depth:
With practice, anything is possible. However, from asking a coach, you will only get “textbook” answers. However, some players break with the norm, and are extremely effective. However, the text book answer is that, wherever you are on court, when your opponent plays a shot, you should be stopped (not moving in any direction) and using a split step to charge your legs to move (which is a whole topic in itself). But more or less, this should be feet placed roughly 1.5 shoulders width apart, weight on the balls of your feet, with knees bent. The preparation is now over.
When you see the shot, in general, you want to perform one very small quick step to set your direction of travel e.g. twisting your hips to go to the rear court, or taking a small step with your non racket foot in the frount/midcourt. This is not the split step, this is after the split step. This step may no take you anywhere in terms of distance, but it should get your momentum quickly going in the desired direction. THIS is the part that generally makes players quick or not – how quickly they take their first step towards the shuttle, and not how fast they move thereafter.
Once you direction is set, with a small quick movement, you will then follow this with larger movements in the direction you have set yourself e.g. a big lunge on your racket foot in the front/midcourt, or a big chasse towards the rearcourt. However, generally speaking most people are just very quick at moving once they get going, even using big steps!
Once you hit your short, I advocate 1, max 2 large steps towards your ideal base as a means of recovery (although around the net it can be a little different).
Does that answer your question? Happy to talk potential footwork patterns 😀
3:29 pm
December 31, 2011
Offline Matthew – good answer. I think the textbook answers are a great starting point but they are not the only way of doing stuff!
Dobbie – if you read Paul's article on Strategy I spoke about Practice and Position – two sides of the same coin. Basically your best technical shot is useless unless you are in the right place/position to play it. Likewise, getting in the right position and then playing the wrong shot is ineffective. If you neglect your footwork then your game will suffer. If you are young and fit you might be able to compensate using raw pace and power. When you get to my age that is not an option!!!
You can download apps for your iPhone (other phones are available…) that can run sequence drills* for you – handy if you are on your own.
* probably not the correct term…this is where the court is divided into 4 or more areas and assigned numbers – you have to move to the designated area and return to base – you can start slow and build up speed.
5:37 pm
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 12, 2010
Offline Absolutely John! Darren hall was a great English player, and he did not take large steps around the court and used a very panhandlish grip. However, it worked for him 🙂
If you are to aspire to be the best, then you need to have efficient footwork (not necessarily foot speed! the two are different!).
10:52 am
February 15, 2011
Offline Footwork is a great topic and one that is all too easily neglected.
I'm a great advocate of footwork practice and love to study the greats on video. For me the biggest weakness isn't the footwork to get to the shuttle but the recovery to provide the best chance of retrieving your opponents next shot.
I could spend a weekend on footwork alone but i don't think the players would like it much. We will be doing a lot more footwork for the advanced group in September which should prove very interesting.
With so little time to play, I know my footwork is good but reaction speeds are down, which in turn places a lot of strain on my footwork. I also tire easily which means somethings got to give. Thankfully my footwork to the shuttle, albeit late, is still OK, but my recovery into position after the shot is sometimes too late.
Given the time to get fit and train properly I have every confidence Ic ould correct these issues. However, this is a luxury I don't have right now as I remind myself I have more articles to write.
Paul
5:51 pm
March 10, 2013
Offline Last week I attended a seminar for coaches and the main topic was footwork. We didn't hit a shuttle until halfway through the morning of the second day, I know that this may seem boring to some but believe me it was fascinating.What emerged was that footwork is very personal to the individual, why keep to the coaching manual when it's not working for YOU.
Matt is right about coaches teaching the basics, but if you learn the basics you can then adapt them to your circumstances.
A good coach will always work with a player to achieve the best patterns for the individual. If you haven't access to a coach ask another player whose opinions you trust to help. ALWAYS VIDEO IF POSS.
You don't need a badminton court to practice footwork. Good exercises are fast feet and skipping. One I learned at the seminar was to stand sideways on a line, it can be on a court or your patio slabs, feet shoulder width apart and point your none racket foot down the line with your other foot across the line. Jump up and turn in the air to land facing the other way with your racket foot pointing down the line and the other across the line. Make sure you land lightly on your toes.Repeat as many times as you like. Although this move will never appear as part of any pattern it's great practice for jumping, turning and keeping in balance.
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