I liked the “I use the 'oh crap this one's coming at me real fast grip'” quote on the other forum – made me chuckle XD

Personally, I think it's really not a bad position to be in – most players don't pose too much of a threat from right at the very back of the court like that (at least where I play). I know lifting is frowned upon, but I don't see a problem with it, provided you can guarantee to get good length (it's better than over-extending yourself in an effort to maintain the attack).

Anyway, I'd be looking to attack a smash played from that far back. The thoughts running through my head would probably be “I really hope they don't play an attacking clear instead”, because I can be caught out from time to time if they're very deceptive. Apart from that, I'm just focusing on trying to see the shot as early as possible, and deciding what shot to reply with (esp. looking at where the smasher's partner is standing).

If it's mixed doubles, then I'd be a little more worried, and mainly just hoping my partner will be okay, and looking to see if there's any way I can help her out – 90% of the time the opponents will target her instead anyway.

Pub?

What's a pub shot?   Sounds good to me, is it like a drunk master move or something?

My list would be

1) C'mon, is that all you got!?!?

2) Why didn't I put that in the other far corner? (generally after they have won the rally)

I think as well, I don't know that I would be thinking (much like Simon). I think when you play so much you have trained your brain so that it doesn't require a thought process and more instant reaction. This is why it's so hard to learn new things or moves as you need to do this repeatedly over and over so that you can do it without thinking about it. Well, that's what I reckon anyway.

I think lifting it into the other the other corner at the back is the best option as either the smasher will have to run to get that shot or the person at the net will go and get it and depending on the kind of partnership you are playing against, might leave the front of the net exposed (so if they smashed again then you would drop shot it).

Another option would be to drop shot it straight in front of you, this is however, risky but can work. It's risky as the person on the T could put it away and drill it into the floor. BUT, this can do a couple of things (again, depending on the partnership you are up against), one would be to caused confusion to who's shot it is as the smasher may go forward to get it and the person on the T may go for it at the same time. Therefore they will both be in one corner with the rest of the court wide open. The other good thing to come out of this is that if you drop shot it, they will either drop shot it back (which you could kill, especially if your name is Paul Stewart ) or they will lift it putting you on the attack.

Again, depends on who you are playing and who YOUR partner is and how they play. If you drop shot it and the person on the T flicked it across the net to the other side, would your partner see it happen or be able to react quick enough to get it back?

Ah, the fun and games of badminton. I don't think I play that well but tend to win points by outfoxing my opponents, but then I only play league so you could argue that I don't really get that tested. But this is the side of badminton I like. And my favourite shot will prove this which is a very risky shot but it works!

If you have person at the back and person at the front, you lift the shuttle in such a way that it goes over the person at the front (making them think leave it for the person at the back) but too far forward for the person at the back. By the time the person at the back realises that it's their shot, the shuttle is on its way to the floor. Other shots I like doing is making players clash, if you find the right “hole” they will both go for it and even if they get it back, the rest of the court is exposed……. KAPOW!

Not sure if this answers your question Paul?

Mens Doubles: “Fiddlesticks!”

Mixed Doubles: “Should my partner start wearing a squash visor?!”

…In all seriousness I'm actually thinking about how I can get back on the attack from this position. Im trying to think about the position of my opponents and how I can either manipulate the speed on the shuttle to (especially if the smash is flatish) get them moving out of formation or return the smash straight and into the mid court just behind the player at the net and just in front of the player who just smashed – hopefully they'll have to lift and we're back on the attack.