From what you have written, I would say, the first rule in badminton is getting to the shot. Forget how good your shot or returns are, if you can’t get to the shuttle in time, you’ve lost. It sounds like you are watching the player and not watching the shuttle when he is doing a deceptive drop shot. I have been there and done that and the best way to get around this, even though it’s easier to say than do, is to watch the shuttle and not the player. This may take a little practise but works for me.

Also, it sounds like you smash too much or you empathise the smash too much. If someone was to smash to me, what would be the most annoying return I could do? Drop it back of course. Why? For a start, it breaks up the smashing as you can smash the return. If I cleared it high then I am giving you another go. Also, if I drop shot it back, you will have to run forward, creating space for me to put the shuttle. Yes, you could return my drop with a drop back, but the difference is that I have had more time to scan the court and think about my next move whilst you have be concentrating on getting to my drop shot. This all does happen very quickly and will depend on the player but this is the way I view it.

Also, if your club players are used to you smashing (learn to cross court smash, it can be a killer!), why not do a deceptive drop? You don’t have to get the deceptive bit spot on, you would be surprised what you can get away with. It’s mostly the player themselves that thinks “oh they will see that coming a mile off”, when the fact is, what you do is enough to throw them off.

There is probably more but I don’t have time at the minute to think of them and write them all down, forgive me! But I hope this helps in some way and gets you and other people thinking.

Pete

I live in Nth Finchley and play in Cockfosters/Enfield so I know Barnet really well.

Is Nobby your coach ? I know he does some stuff at QE school amongst other places.

Enfield Drill Hall isn't that far from you, they have a couple of really good coaches that do some stuff there, might be worth looking into that.

Highgate might be a bit far but John and Leon have produced several county and at least one international player from their acadamy.

PM me some details of where you play and what competitions, I might be able to point you to some help.