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5:26 pm
February 28, 2010
Offline
Before I talk about this I'd like to apologize for my lack of participation in the forum for some time, I've just not had the time recently.
Onto business, the point I'm going to make here is that more and more I find that players (particularly in league) seem to be playing better FOREHAND shots when they move around onto their backhand rather than when they simply move to their forehand!
This is very noticeable when watching someone play attacking doubles, specifically the rear player.
Next time you're sat down watching four people play doubles, keep an eye out!
I think it's because moving round your backhand opens your shoulders properly, and you can therefore reach higher and intercept the shuttle earlier, it also provides more control. After seeing this and alerting my team members, we all noticed that actually, even on our forehand side, we weren't quite in the best position to hit the shuttle, even when we had time to move!
1:18 am
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 12, 2010
Offline Its interesting you mention this, because I have for some time now believed that most players have better round the head smashes than forehand smashes. In order to play round the head, you HAVE to get your body into a good and stable position to hit the shot, whereas on the forehand side, you can simply reach out to take the shuttle. Like you described, you can simply reach for it, so tend to be lazy getting into position.
As soon as i realised this about other players, I realised it was true about myself, leading to a complete overhaul in my footwork and making sure I step into all of my overhead forehand shots on both sides.
I have found, especially in singles, that it is often the case that lifting to your opponents FOREHAND side, will produce a weaker response, than their backhand side. This may be due to laziness, but it may be due also to more practice hitting round the head, because most opponents aim for a weak backhand, so players learn to cover their “weaknesses” whereas actually their forehand rear court corner is their weakest. This could also be a product of the way they prepare to move (their split step).
I would say you are absolutely right about your comment, but now watch lin dan play singles in the 2009 All England (youtube) against Lee Chong Wei. I would say he attacks far more from his backhand side than his forehand side, and relies on players hitting to his weakness and then surprising them with his speed moving round the head to hit his winners.
Good spot, and a good post!
10:48 am
February 15, 2011
Offline
Some very good points raised here.
Matthew is spot on in everything he says.
Most players spend far more time learning to cover their backhand corner, hence better round-the-head shots than standard forehand shots.
Lin Dan is a great example, but you'll also find this true of most left handers as they tend to be a little more exposed on their backhands and then develop far superior round-the-head shots.
Players spend very little time working in and out of deep forehand positions. In particular the key is to work harder at recovery because this is actually the area players fail to develop.
Jordan, you're right that your body position is generally superior from your backhand corner and now we know the reason why. It's a shame that players don't spend time noticing the small differences like these in their game and ask the right questions to figure out what small changes need to be made to enhance their game.
This is a great thread and hope others contribute to it.
Paul
3:01 pm
November 27, 2010
Offline Matthew
In relation to what you said about Lin Dan and surprising people with his round the head speed – I was thinking about this type of thing as well. You usually seem to have more time to 'set yourself' for a forehand smash, whereas when receiving a round the head smash you often have less time. The opponent often has to take the shot early and as quickly as possibly on the backhand side and therefore this gives you less time to react as well. I think in general it's the amount of practice you give your backhand side like mentioned by yourself and others. Being a lefty myself I think I'll practice this more now! I do agree about having to use your shoulders more as mentioned in the first post by Jordan – you have to really rotate your body, hips and shoulders more too it seems – a lot of momentum. I think it's easier to be lazy on your forehand too
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