Its In the Way You Move – Baddy Badminton Blog

“… Life is Movement …”
— Aristotle, Greek Philosopher and Polymath

Footwork is Key

When I started playing, I noticed that, more advanced players seem to move around the court more quickly than me and I seem to be using a lot more energy than they were during the rallies. Sometimes, they were even much older and still they were less tired than me and this puzzled me ???

The reason was, they had better footwork and the knowledge how to move efficiently and smoothly in order to get to the shots.

If you are able to get to the shots in time you have won half the battle, as you will most likely hit a much better shot if you’re in position to hit the shot. Similarly, if you make your opponent move in order to hit their shot, you have a better chance they may make a mistake.

I often see beginners hit the shot directly back to their opponent. Its partly because when your practicing you always hit back to your partner and that kinda become ingrained in to beginners. (and also its just a reaction sometimes of just hitting straight back when you have no time to react)

Rhythm

There is so much to talk about, with footwork but again I will point you to this image below, footwork is always overlooked.

I will say there is a rhythm to the way you move on the court. As I said in previous posts you are like in a game of physical chess with your opponent where you have to counter his every move and then execute your own.

Look at high level badminton matches (especially singles) and you will see them seem to glide on the court effortlessly (Lin Dan or Kento Momota and An Se-Young for women). They, have very few wasted motions and always seem to react correctly and in time.

It’s that rhythm of the game you are trying to achieve with good footwork. Similar, you want to break your opponents rhythm to throw off their footwork, this will cause them to make a bad shot. Have you ever felt “flat” footed against an opponent ? Or them changing of pace of the shot make you struggle to hit a good reply ?

The Split Step

One of the key movements is called the “Split Step”. It’s an anticipation movement that has to be timed just before your opponent hits the shuttle.

Some people think of it as a “hop” but I believe the point is to essentially drop your weight in order to “load” your muscles so that you can react explosively to your opponent shot.

You will see this everywhere in sports that require quick reaction; think of tennis just before the opponent serves they lower there body to receive the shot or runners at the starting block they start in a low hunch in order to drive off from their legs.

You cannot react explosively from a standing position, just as you cannot punch from an extended arm, think about it…

Footwork is Key

Rhythm

The Split Step

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