Help with Stroke Please!!

Your single game looks a lot like mine, you have similar issues like me, so I can feel with you

I believe, that getting the split step into your game routine is one of the hardest things to learn, once you fall out of continuous training sessions Eg. at 2:24, a split step should have helped you there. I've the same issues and I try to integrate the split steps in every single training unit I do.

Back to your footwork to the backcourt. I think, that your footwork starts really nicely when going back. You do the right steps, you are fast enough to cover it most of the time. But once you hit the shuttle, your routine falters.

E.g. at 3:05 and 3:08 your racket leg moves to the side. It looks somewhat weird, in your training sessions it looks a lot more naturally.

E.g. at 3:21, 3:27, 3:52 your follow through is missing. Even if you are just doing a drop shot, try to keep up a follow through. The basic clear, smash and drop should follow almost the same movement pattern with adusted hitting angle and power. If you get this right, you have a really strong foundation for three really important shots in badminton.

I would sugguest, that you, as you seems to already do it, concentrate your training on a single routine and do it over and over again (include the split step). Take a look at 2:07, there your double routine kicks in, take a step forward to cover the front court. Eventually this will happen to your split step, scissor kick, follow through etc. too, just keep it up .

 

Nothing wrong with a slow drop shot. Not every shot needs to be sliced.

In fact, it's a common bad habit of experienced players. Many rely on slice to hit everything, which actually means they can't hit a simple drop shot. They are using slice to "fix" bad hitting mechanics. I've been working on this a lot with a player recently.

This is easily underestimated, because people think it's a "basic" skill. Same goes for fast drops. If you can't hit it without slice, then the "basic" technique needs work.

Personally, I would suggest Mason stays (mostly) away from slice at this stage. It certainly shouldn't be a big focus. It's fine as a bit of fun, or extra skills development "in the background".

 

A simple drop shot includes slice. Hitting a slow drop shot is the same as giving your opponent the initiative, which is why you should always make sure the speed of the shuttle is fast. The only scenario where it's not bad to hit a slow drop is if your opponent isn't fast d has really bad net skills.

 

Extra emphasis on the split step. It's not just because you're not doing it, it is because you are cultivating a bad habit by pre-empting your training partner's return (as a drop/net/lift).

Look at how early you are getting to your opponents net/drop returns after your drop. You are only getting here because you are immediately running to the net after you play your drop shot. There is no recovery or split step present.

This requires discipline - you must force yourself to wait until your partner has actually hit the shuttle before you move. Then you will practice explosiveness and correct timing.

By timing - I have the same habit as you in the forecourt. My racquet foot lands, then I'm waiting for a while before the shuttle arrives. Suddenly you end up with 3 problems:

1) no power from your lunge because it's dissipated into the ground already

2) lack of control because you're trying to fight against the recovery steps

3) bad positioning because you've moved before you've looked at where the shuttle is going - an example in your video is where you are suddenly swatting at the shuttle because your opponent:s net/drop was further into the midcourt than you expected.

Try to focus on making drills realistic by being disciplined! I've been there, done that, and I know my bad forecourt timing is a results of hundreds of hours of bad practice when doing such smash/block/net/lift or drop/net/lift/clear drills!

Just remember, you can't be 'lazy' either - you're still trying to take the shuttle high and early, but you can't 'cheat' is all

 

So is a flick serve (when serving low), which gives althought the attack to the opponent. Still you can use it to add some uncertainty to your shot choice and unsettle the opponent.

 

Th

I would work on jumping and getting highest contact point and being behind the shuttle for offensive shots. I think you can first try to do this with clears. Something else is jumping backwards, not just up. In your footwork videos you always jump in place, but that kind of footwork means an extra few steps that jumping backwards could have replaced. Sorry if my writing is not too clear, but the main thing is to make sure your contact point is high and in front of you. Here is maybe the best videos ever on badminton, and it is said much better than I can.

 

No, a simple drop shot should not include slice. Slice is something that may be added to drop shots -- either as a "full" slice drop, or just a drop shot with a touch of slice that may help you "tweak" it.

In some circumstances it's risky to play a slow drop shot, but not always. A lot depends on your movement.

If you move back sluggishly and take the shuttle level with or behind you, then you are not threatening a strong attack. Playing a slow drop shot is very risky, because your opponent is looking for it.

At the other extreme, imagine you are playing against Lee Chong Wei. Your lift is slightly short (maybe doubles service). He moves back explosively, gets behind the shuttle, and jumps four foot up in the air. You know he can hit a 400 km/h smash (which he did the previous rally).

Then he hits a simple slow drop, without slice (for more accuracy / tightness). He quite likes hitting these cross-court from his forehand side, IIRC. I guarantee you will not get it.

His slow drop shot is dangerous because his movement and smash are dangerous. Deception isn't just about what the racket is doing.

And a little anecdote: my coach, an ex-international, is extremely good at slices. Frustratingly good. He'll even hit them "inside out" sometimes, which really shouldn't work but does. Nevertheless, he told me that he wished he'd played more slow drop shots in his career (as a singles player). Players often overlook the simpler shots.

 

LCW's cross court drop from forehand side has slice and is fast.

 

Definitely looking much better - you look less 'stuck' in the back corner after a smash.

However, now it looks like you're just hanging around watching the shuttle after you hit it! Example: 1:10, you hit a straight smash and you just hang around watching it (maybe you expected a direct point?) - your recovery should be a chasse near to the centreline, how far depends on how close you hit it to the sideline. 1:10 is a severe example, but if you watch through that particular camera angle and the whole video, there are many instances where you take this tiny (15cm?) shuffle back to the centreline. Sometimes you take a further step after the shuffle, sometimes you launch into the next shot immediately. What can be said is that if you did your 15cm shuffle, you had time to do a larger chasse back to the centre to prepare for the crosscourt lift. Watch the pros and see how they IMMEDIATELY recover quite far back to the centreline, even if they have to come all the way back out again.

The result will be that your partner won't have to cover the cross lift in 1:10 as an example, and in general, you'll be better positioned to attack midcourt lifts/drives. If they lift back to the same corner, then you can move out again. It might feel like extra work to begin with, but it saves effort in the long run - just like getting fully behind the shuttle

Take this advice as a next steps thing - it reflects in what we mentioned about training that recovery split step properly in your drills. However, your main scissor movement/rotation is looking much more compact and controlled which is why the recovery looks so underutilised. Previously you didn't have time to recover because your right foot was flailing around and your weight was headed towards the car park behind the court!