I have the opposite problem! I struggle to maintain a lead I get! Haha!

When I get down on points which tends to happen quite often, I like to keep up a high intensity – i.e. work rate. You will notice I am not suggesting the speed of the game needs to be intense – you could play fast paced or slow, aggressive or defensive – whatever your style is. However I will put all my focus into winning the next point, making sure I move as best I can around the court. I want to make my opponent feel as if I am everywhere – this will lead them to feel as if I am too strong (if i am being aggressive) or will make them feel they cant get it past me (if i am being more passive). As soon as you start to push yourself, you will realise you can take things earlier! You are not trying to win the point, you are making sure you don’t let anything go. No attacks except when you are well balanced and have created opportunities, get to everything your opponent hits, no extravagant shots. You aim for at least 2 feet inside the sidelines at all times. After you’ve won 5 points of doing this, you will discover at least one or two new ways to win points against your opponent, and he will be in despair because everything is changing – your respective game plans haven’t changed, but you have increased your movement speed and increased your execution percentages.

The most effective tactic that works for me under pressure (and all the time actually) is to make sure my opponent cant hit the shuttle from close to the net – every shot I hit will land on or past the service line. These shots will really limit your opponents chances to attack – it takes away their “net” reply options thus meaning they are less likely to win themselves a lift after some net play.

Today, I was playing against a group of county players at singles (they are in my universities 1st team, whilst I am only 2nd team). I was 9 – 2 down against one of them. I was struggling to get it “away” from him, because he is tall and strong and has a very strong jump smash (he is an extremely good volley ball player). Against him, I decided that I would keep him at the back of the court and “blanket” the court in defense. I will get everything back with these half court pushes, until I win a short lift for myself – any clears he hit I would use attacking clears back. When focusing on getting everything back – the most important thing is to make sure you are almost leaning forwards in your footwork, on the balls of your toes ready to spring forwards and retrieve an shot, and if you have to cover the rearcourt, you have plenty to time to turn and do so! I won the game 21 – 19, having never beaten that player before. However I am now a lot quicker and fitter and I enjoy playing the high intensity defensive game, followed by decisive accurate attacks.

This is what happens to me when I am losing. Everyones different, but maybe what works for me – basically focusing on footwork for a few rallies, will help you?

p.s. I am a bad front runner because I stop working hard and go for “quick winners”. I’m an idiot!