Dobbie this is a great question.

First off, as Peter says, watch the shuttle and not the player. A deception is caused by a last minute change and can only be played effectively if the preparation for the shot is identical – something I've been teaching for a long time.

The player relies on early movement of their opponent and then sends the shuttle in the opposite direction to which their opponent has committed by their first movement.

So the key is to wait for the shuttle rather than anticipate and move.

You can almost play a game of cat and mouse with a deceptive player by leaving spaces purposely to “invite” them to play the shuttle there which in turn reduces their potential choice of shot.

Paul