Badminton Backhand - Why Do So Many Struggle To Master This Unusual Shot?

For most people their Badminton backhand is a cause of concern, because for some reason they are unable to fathom the physics of doing it. It feels un-natural to them, they lack control and they definitely lack power.

Firstly there should be a change in the grip, see my previous article on Badminton grips, it's essential that you change your grip between forehand and backhand. It doesn’t matter if your grip is not as per textbook, but whatever it is, you must realise that a change MUST be made.

Ranked second in importance are your feet!...

Stepping into the shuttle helps generate power and accuracy. By that I mean that your racquet leg and foot must follow your arm. There are few instances where it is not necessary to move your feet, so lets say then that is a necessity to do so. Your feet should quite literally be in constant motion to keep you in balance ready to play any shot.

As the shuttle gets adjacent to you (9 o-clock Position) and indeed when it is passed you, something that you must avoid at all costs, then you will find that your body will turn and face the back of the court. This is not a disastrous position, but try not to get yourself into it. You can help to avoid this by developing better movement around the court and development of overhead clears.

Whole chapters in books on Badminton are devoted to your Badminton backhand, essentially though, if the shuttle can be hit adjacent or in front of you then it is little more than a modest arm swing with a ‘whip’ of the wrist.

Development of the movement within the wrist will increase the variety in your shots and confusion to your opponents.

Once the shuttle is behind you, then this is where you will have most of your problems. If it's at medium or low height and you can get there, then try to use an underhand Badminton backhand swing and hope.

If it's high, you will be facing the back of the court, so it is critical that you have your racquet foot DOWN and close to the shuttle. In preparing to hit the shuttle, elevate the elbow and have racquet head down across the chest, utilise your Badminton backhand grip, swing the racquet upwards, ‘snapping’ the wrist and effectively ‘throw your racquet away’.

Rewmember like all shots, you won't get it right first time, but all it needs is just a little regular practice!

If you want to improve your fitness for Badminton then you should follow a Badminton training program which is specifically designed for Badminton players. Find out more here - Badminton training program

Click here to return to the home page - Badminton training