Doubles Strategy - I : Men's & Ladies'

Introduction
I (a) Service (b) Reception of Service
II Offensive zone and play
III Defensive zone and play
IV Movement from offence to defence: (a) Situation #1
(b) Situation #2
V Movement from defence to offence: (a) Situation #1
(b) Situation #2
(c) Situation #3
Conclusion: The ten commandments of doubles

This document was prepared for the O.B.A. by Mr. John Gilbert, Level III Coach

Introduction

Note that no differentiation is made between men's and ladies' doubles. In both games the same basic principles apply.

Doubles in badminton can be the most exciting game of all if played well by both teams involved. Often, however, it degenerates into two players monopolizing the play under the impression they are brilliantly exploiting their own strengths and covering their partners' obvious inadequacies. A team has strengths and a team has weaknesses, but a team is composed of two players interacting together. It is not composed of one player with an animated handicap. Therefore, a team's selection of strokes and strategies should not be haphazard at any level of play. Doubles -- whether men's or ladies' -- must be discussed under five headings:

I (a) Service and (b) Reception of Service
II Offensive Zone and Play
III Defensive Zone and Play
IV Movement from Offence to Defence
V Movement from Defence to Offence

Let us look at these in order.

I. (a) Service

Although the Level I Coaching Program does not require a knowledge of the "flick" serve -- i.e. a service which begins identically to the short service and then goes deep in the court because of a sudden "explosion" of the wrist -- all doubles players find this variation of serve essential. At any time in badminton, on any stroke, you must have at least some alternative stroke or your opponent will always be in the right place at the right time. Therefore, when serving, develop the ability to (1) short serve close to the top of the net and landing just at the junction of your opponent's front service line and centre line, (2) flick serve to the back of your opponent's court. If these two serves are made to look as similar as possible up to the point of contact and if they are carefully mixed, you will do well. In better levels of play the short service is used much more frequently.

I. (b) Reception of Service

If your opponent does not disguise the service, lay in wait and ambush it. Remember, your opponent can not score points if you kill the serve instantly whenever it appears. However, if your opponent does disguise the service your work is cut out for you. Try to penetrate the disguise: often there is some little difference which a keen eyed observer can spot. Be that person, or hire a coach to do it for you. If your opponent serves long, smash it. If your opponent serves short, try to hit to one of the following spots:

flat or downwards directly at your opponent
to the alley nearest you
to the alley farthest from you

Obviously, if your opponents have major weaknesses, they should be exploited. Return number one expects you to get to the net fairly quickly. The second and third returns would like you there quickly but will allow you to be a little slower. How far from the net down the alley you hit the bird depends on your opponents' offensive and defensive zones.

II. Offensive Zone and Play

When a team goes on offence in badminton it divides the court to maximize offensive power. The best division yet developed is the "up and back". In this division one player covers approximately the half of the court closer to the net and the other player covers the half closer to the back line:

Note that in this type of zone offence, each player has a definite area of responsiblility. This is an important concept for good offence and for the team defending against it. Let's assume player A is on offence near the net and player B is on offence near the back line. Players A and B should generally be in the centre of the areas they are responsible for. If either moves too far from this centre base, the other player moves immediately to balance. Player A should act as the set-up person in volleyball, trying to force the opponents to lift the bird so player B can smash it. Player A will smash, of course, whenever the opportunity arises, but generally will play net shots and flat pushes. In the "up and back" system, the "up" player must try to intercept all shots which will not be high enough for the "back" player to smash. Thus, when on offence the racquet should be kept up at about head level and the bird should be hit down whenever possible or flat or, if unavoidably taken low should be crosscourt dropped at the net. Player B when smashing must not hit crosscorts unless there is an easily exploited weakness. Note the emphasized statements are absolutely basic principles in this type of doubles.

III. Defensive Zone and Play

The court division for the defensive zone in badminton is almost a complete opposite. In this case the players adopt a "side by side" stance using the centre line as their dividing line:

Since they are on defence and therefore expecting smashes, they take their position about two thirds or three quarters of the way from the net to the back line with their racquets held about waist level and as far in front of them as is comfortable. When returning your opponents' offensive smashes, drops and flat pushes, try to avoid merely lobbing or lifting the bird back -- this merely allows your opponents to remain on offense and leaves you on defence. Instead of lifting, try either underhand drop returns to the net or flat drives. If you have to lift the bird, hit it high and deep to the back corners. A careful mixture of these three alternatives will keep your opponents off balance and may even force them to lob a bird back high allowing your team to go on offence. Remember that the final test is whether it works: a high lob may be very effective against a team that can not smash, or if hit into a particularly bright light.

IV. Movement from Offence to Defence

The next problem to consider is how a team moves smoothly from offence to defence. For this, let us return to the discussion on service and return of service. When service is about to be delivered, both teams take up offensive positions. Obviously this situation will not last, as each team attempts to force the other to lift the bird.

Situation #1
Let us assume that the team receiving service hits the bird deep down their opponents' backhand alley. Remember the principle of balance and counterbalance and you should visualize the situation as follows:

Since B has moved to the backhand alley to get the return of serve, A is forced to move to the right and perhaps back. If B chooses to lob the bird, A will retreat into a full side by side defence formation. If B plays a net drop or a flat shot, A will return to his/her original position.

Situation #2
Let us assume the receiving team net dropped the bird to their opponents' forehand alley off the serve. Apply the principle and the following should result:

If A lobs the bird, A will retreat straight into a full side by side defence. If A manages to avoid lobbing, A will retreat to his/her original position. Note that the player lobbing the bird from the forecourt has the option of which side to retreat to, but in almost every situation he/she should retreat straight back. Note also that the principle of balance and counterbalance should not be interpreted in pricise terms. Often other variables such as judgement and anticipation will alter the equation and the player may only be prepared to move in the direction indicated by the principle and may not actually move until the next shot is hit.

V. Movement from Defence to Offence

   The priciple involved here is the same but the situation tend to be more complex and involve a great degree of anticipation.

Situation #1
   You are on defence with your opponents smashing. One is smashed at you which you manage to return without setting up the smash again. You must immediately assume the "up" position for your team's offence. Speed is important here, since any delay will allow your opponents to drop return your shot, forcing your team to lob the bird up again whereupon they resume their attack. Note that the player who returns the net drop or flat shot takes the "up" position.

Situation #2
   You are on defence and your opponent, instead of smashing, hits a flat clear which you smash or drive back. Since the mechanics of the execution of this shot prevent you from moving quickly to the "up" position, your partner should take that position.

Situation #3
   Identical to #2, except your opponent drops. If the opposing "up" player does not cover the net carefully, you may be able to "sneak" a hairpin net shot in. If so, you remain in the "up" position you are now in.

Conclusion

Remember that doubles is team work, and try to develop your play to complement one another. Many good doubles teams are not overwhelming in any category except team work. Obey the "ten commandments" and you will make a good team:

Serve short and low.
Return service with the three strokes given earlier.
Do not lift the bird.
Smash all overhead birds.
Hit round-the-heads rather than backhands.
Do not crosscourt smash.
When on offence keep your racquet up.
When on defence be in the ready position.
Underhand drops should be crosscourt.
Overhead drops (only very occasionally as a change of pace) must be to the centre of the court.

Good luck.