Evanplaysbadminton
Regular Member
Hello,
I would like to get some advices on how to play in mixed double as a guy. I started to play about a year and half ago and got serious with tournaments like 8 months ago.
At first, it was really easy because I would smash everything and I reached another category very quickly. Basically, I would play like level doubles when I'm at the rear. But now it's more difficult and I'm wondering what I could do.
What should I do when I have the attack backwards ?
Usually, my partner serves, the opponent lifts, I smash, smash, smash... But I wonder if it's a good idea to start smashing at the third shot ?
People always tell me to "build the point", but I don't know what it means. If I see an opportunity, I try to take it, when I watch top players like Zheng, it's like they smash whatever is lifted. But maybe my smash is weak...
Some players told me I should clear to "build the point". I don't get why would I clear when we have the initiative and we're not late. I've been taught to avoid clears except for real emergencies.
But I've been trying to change and use more dropshots, especially slices and cross dropshots but it's like I'm doing that randomly with no plan. I usually try this right on the third shot and maybe this is why it's not working ? Maybe I should wait and shouldn't attack immediately at the third shot ? And do something like drop shot/drop shot/smash ? Or smash/smash/reversed-slice ?
Sometimes also, when the female opponent is facing me, I try a clear.
If my partner didn't serve correctly I usually try to aim at the net where the opposite woman is not or lift at her, or on the backhand corner of the guy.
What should I do when I'm late on a clear/lift ?
If the shuttle is up in the air but behind me I usually do a drop shot or a crossed drop shot. Is it okay ?
But when the shuttle is lower in the backcourt, I don't really know, I try to lift but usually I lack length. I try to avoid the woman at the net but at this distance crossing is too slow...
When I return the serve
Should I return differently than level doubles ? Some players told me I shouldn't even cross the serve line when I return the opponent serve ?
I've already been told to aim for the sides lines in mid court, or aim between or at the players. But it's not easy because sometimes I'm late because I don't stand exactly behind the serve line. I'm always afraid to get a flick and I'm bad at returning flicks because I'm late...
I also do some drives in a deep corner but some players seem to disagree with this technique ? I don't see why because it seems effective at my level.
Also, should I move backwards immediately after I returned the serve ? A national player taught me I should return close to the net and move backwards to be in attacking position, but when I watch some top players, they don't move backwards immediately after their return, they move a little bit, but they stay on their side instead of going behind their partner. The guy places himself near his partner, kinda like side to side.
Do you have any other tips, please ? Because I try to apply all of this but still it's not working. Also, I should mention, I don't have the same female partner every time and most of the times, they only go for a tight net shot... they rarely try to push or intercept...
Also, what should I do when the lady is behind after a flick ? Usually I put myself at the centre but not as close to the net as in levels because I expect her to come back which never happens except if she's experienced... Maybe I should position myself in a position to cover tight net shots ? But in this case my partner would stay behind, and most female partners I have don't wanna hear anything about switching positions when I'm at the net...
From what I get, maybe I should cross more and be more patient instead of smashing right ahead ? I usually want to make a decisive shot when I return the serve or when the opponent lifts. I'm a bit puzzled... Don't know if I should wait or attack immediately, play straight, cross, some players suggested that I play stick smashes or fast drop shots also...
Thank you very much for your help ! I'm sorry it's a lot but I tried to ask some players where I play, there are usually pretty evasive... "aim for the sidelines", "smash at the girl", "smash between the players". I was expecting the coaches to teach us what to do when the opponent makes this shot or if we're in this position or if they are in that position but I only get informations from youtube and google...
I would like to get some advices on how to play in mixed double as a guy. I started to play about a year and half ago and got serious with tournaments like 8 months ago.
At first, it was really easy because I would smash everything and I reached another category very quickly. Basically, I would play like level doubles when I'm at the rear. But now it's more difficult and I'm wondering what I could do.
What should I do when I have the attack backwards ?
Usually, my partner serves, the opponent lifts, I smash, smash, smash... But I wonder if it's a good idea to start smashing at the third shot ?
People always tell me to "build the point", but I don't know what it means. If I see an opportunity, I try to take it, when I watch top players like Zheng, it's like they smash whatever is lifted. But maybe my smash is weak...
Some players told me I should clear to "build the point". I don't get why would I clear when we have the initiative and we're not late. I've been taught to avoid clears except for real emergencies.
But I've been trying to change and use more dropshots, especially slices and cross dropshots but it's like I'm doing that randomly with no plan. I usually try this right on the third shot and maybe this is why it's not working ? Maybe I should wait and shouldn't attack immediately at the third shot ? And do something like drop shot/drop shot/smash ? Or smash/smash/reversed-slice ?
Sometimes also, when the female opponent is facing me, I try a clear.
If my partner didn't serve correctly I usually try to aim at the net where the opposite woman is not or lift at her, or on the backhand corner of the guy.
What should I do when I'm late on a clear/lift ?
If the shuttle is up in the air but behind me I usually do a drop shot or a crossed drop shot. Is it okay ?
But when the shuttle is lower in the backcourt, I don't really know, I try to lift but usually I lack length. I try to avoid the woman at the net but at this distance crossing is too slow...
When I return the serve
Should I return differently than level doubles ? Some players told me I shouldn't even cross the serve line when I return the opponent serve ?
I've already been told to aim for the sides lines in mid court, or aim between or at the players. But it's not easy because sometimes I'm late because I don't stand exactly behind the serve line. I'm always afraid to get a flick and I'm bad at returning flicks because I'm late...
I also do some drives in a deep corner but some players seem to disagree with this technique ? I don't see why because it seems effective at my level.
Also, should I move backwards immediately after I returned the serve ? A national player taught me I should return close to the net and move backwards to be in attacking position, but when I watch some top players, they don't move backwards immediately after their return, they move a little bit, but they stay on their side instead of going behind their partner. The guy places himself near his partner, kinda like side to side.
Do you have any other tips, please ? Because I try to apply all of this but still it's not working. Also, I should mention, I don't have the same female partner every time and most of the times, they only go for a tight net shot... they rarely try to push or intercept...
Also, what should I do when the lady is behind after a flick ? Usually I put myself at the centre but not as close to the net as in levels because I expect her to come back which never happens except if she's experienced... Maybe I should position myself in a position to cover tight net shots ? But in this case my partner would stay behind, and most female partners I have don't wanna hear anything about switching positions when I'm at the net...
From what I get, maybe I should cross more and be more patient instead of smashing right ahead ? I usually want to make a decisive shot when I return the serve or when the opponent lifts. I'm a bit puzzled... Don't know if I should wait or attack immediately, play straight, cross, some players suggested that I play stick smashes or fast drop shots also...
Thank you very much for your help ! I'm sorry it's a lot but I tried to ask some players where I play, there are usually pretty evasive... "aim for the sidelines", "smash at the girl", "smash between the players". I was expecting the coaches to teach us what to do when the opponent makes this shot or if we're in this position or if they are in that position but I only get informations from youtube and google...
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