Singles Strategy - I : Men's & Ladies'

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

1. Introduction

Badminton singles is a game which can be as demanding physically and mentally as its participants desire. The object of this pamphlet is to enable a player to put more into the game and thus get more out of it.

By careful utilization of the strokes discussed in the Level One Coaching Manual, it is possible to play a very good brand of singles. Do not underestimate the importance of these basic strokes -- clear, fast and slow drop, smash, backhand clear, forehand and backhand lobs, netshots, short service, high service, drives. These shots are the foundation of all good quality singles play. Let us begin with a simple demonstration of the importance of the clear and drop and return of service.

2. Drill on Return of Service

Select four shuttles of legal speed. Serve high singles serves to the player and have him/her practice once and then try to return a shuttle to each corner of the court. Stand these shuttles up at the point where they hit the floor. If you were to connect these suttles with an imaginary line and calculate the square footage of the court (374 sq. ft.) you will obtain an idea of the percentage of the court the player is attacking off the serve. It will be a surprisingly low percentage -- especially when you consider that in returning serve the player begins in the readiest position he/she will ever be in during a singles match (other than when serving) and also is defending less than half a court. Fairly obviouslyk, as a rally progresses, the pressure builds, and the player becomes increasingly caught out of position, the percentage of square footage attacked on the court will decrease until the player hits virtually nothing but shots to the middle of his/her opponent's court. If the player can not return service efficiently, how can he/she play effectively? thus, one must practice clears and drops until one can place them in any corner of the court consistently.

3. Singles Base & Court Dimensions

Theoretically, while waiting for an opponent's shot, one should stand at the point which best enables to defend the whole court. Usually this will be the centre of the court. Variations do occur, however, for two reasons:

(1) a player's speed

(2) the court dimensions

(1) If a player moves forward more easily than backwards or vice- versa, it may be advantageous to shift the base backwards or forwards. How one plays as a result of this change, of course, is the acid test of its effectiveness. (2) Most players and coaches think of a court's dimentions in terms of length and width. Remember, the most importand of all may be neither, but height. Birds hit on a flat or downward trajectory reach their target much sooner than do those which reach a peak and fall vertically on their target. Also, the latter can not be intercepted. Strokes in badminton are like clubs in golf -- each has a different trajectory. A plyer's decision on how soon he/she wants the bird to hit its target should be based on:

(1) the opponent's posion on court

(2) the player's position on court

(3) the speed of movement of both players

A rally, almost without exception, ends because a player has selected the wrong stroke. Poorly executed strokes really fall into this category also.

4. Offence & Defence

Badminton singles is a remarkable game of two opponents attempting to manoeuvre each other out of position or away from his/her base. thus, players should always be aware of offence and defence when selecting their strokes. A stroke is of limited value if it results in an opponent winning the rally either immediately or some shots later. One job of a coach is to identify when the player is hitting a "nothing" shot. In the heat of a rally a player, especially an inexperienced one, is incapable of analyzing "nothing" shots. Perhaps this whole concept can be simplified in the court is divided on offensive and defensive principles, first for overhead strokes and then for underhand strokes.

A. Using overhead strokes

(i) definition of defensive & offensive zones

Lucio Fabris' coach, Ev Staples, divided the court very simply in this matter with regard to overhead strokes. The defensive zone in singles is from the doubles long service line to the back line. The offensive zone is from the doubles long service to the net.

(ii) selection of strokes from defensive zone

On this principle the following strokes should be selected in order of preference when a player is striking a bird while standing in the defensive zone:

(1) high clear

(2) slow drop

Note that the slow drop should be used very sparingly. It is a difficult stroke to execute well and if mis-hit almost always results in the loss of the rally. A player should concentrate, therefore, on using high clears hit to the back corners of his opponent's court. If the opponent is weak on the backhand, obviously that should be the corner selected to hit to. Remember that if the opponent is lefthanded, his/her straight return will also attack your own backhand.

(iii) selection of strokes from offensive zone

When standing in the offensive zone a player should select the following overhead strokes in order of priority:

(1) smash

(2) fast drop

A player uses a smash to win rallies. Its speed and placement make it effective. Thus, a player uses it when in the offensive zone and when in a balance position to hit it efficiently. There are three places to hit the smash to:

(a) at the oppoent

(b) at the oppoent's backhand sideline

Vary the placement: the element of surprise is important. Do not hit so hard that you lose your balance so that any return by the opponent becomes a winner. After smashing, try to move forward since, if your smash is hit well, most often your opponent's return will be a weak set up to the net area. Often when one is in a position to smash, the opponent will retreat in the court and will thus be in a better position to return the smash since its speed will have decreased significantly by the time it reaches his/her new position. At this time utilize the fast drop. If it is hit well -- identical to the smash and clear until the point of contact -- it will catch the opponet "glued" to the floor expecting the smash and will often be a winner. More often, however, it will force a very weak return which can then be smashed to the floor. Note that a player should mix smashes and drops as well as the area of their placement. Keep your opponent guessing.

Using underhand strokes

(i) definition of defensive zone

On underhand strokes the whole court is a defensive zone, although a "smart" player can turn defence into offence.

(ii) selection of strokes from defensive zone

Basically, a player has two choices on all underhand strokes:

(1) return to net

(2) lob to back line

A player must choose which of these returns to use and to which corner o fhte court on the basis of his/her opponent's position and his/her own. The earlier discussion on singles' base and the dimensions of the court should be considered in this regard. Let us look at net shots. One of these hit to either corner on a trajectory shaped with a peak at the net and a vertical fall immediately past is so that the bird will land within inches of the net will force your opponent on to the defensive and will reduce the number of possible returns. If the bird is very close to the net it is impossible to lob it to the backline -- the net is in the way -- even when it is possible to lob it, it can only be done by using great height. thus, you can take your base very close to the net and still get back in lots of time to cover the lob while attacking any net shot very effectively -- watch for the crosscourt net shot: it is the only one which can really catch you off guard. Let us now look at lobs to the back of the court. These shots are fully defensive in nature but are necessary (1) when your opponent is in position to attack a net shot and (2) when a net shot would put you out of position. It is very important that these lobs should be hit as high a peak as possible so that they fall vertically on the back line allowing you plenty of time to return to your base. (See the earlier discussion on singles' base and court dimensions.)

Conclusion

What remains to be considered in basic singles are:

(a) high service
(b) short service
(c) preparation for a match
(d) match play

Let us consider these in order.
(1) high service

Since the object of the ame (within sportsmanship limits) is to win and to prevent your opponent from winning, therefore, you should place the opponent on the defensive at the very outset of the rally. The high singles service dropping vertically very near the junction of the back line and the centre line is very effective. As seen by the discussion thus far, your opponent's strokes are limited and the rally quickly develops into a contest waiting for someone to make a weak return into his/her opponent's offensive zone.

(2) short service

This is an effective serve at tan advanced level of play (see the Level II Manual) but should be used sparingly by the less experienced player. Ideally, it shouldgo very low to the net to land just past the front service line near its junction with the centre line. It is a dangerous service since (1) the margin of error is small - if it is too high, the bird can be smashed; (2) it allows the net returns discussed earlier. The opposing player, by mixing net returns and lob judiciously, can often quickly win many rallies begun by a short service.

(3) preparation for a match

It is always difficult to assess the relative importance of stroking versus conditioning. At various levels of play the ratio changes. I would advise players at this stage to concentrate more on stroking. Be fit, but do not be a conditioning freak. Instead, be in good enough condition to do justice to your ability ot execute strokes. Work on you strokes enough that you can make the bird do what you want it to do when you hit it.

(4) match play

Once the match has begun, concentrate on one stroke at a time. Remember, though, that your mind is analyzing what has happened and is projecting what will happen. Learn from your mistakes -- do not fall into the same trap over and ovr again. Discover predictable patterns in your opponent's play so that you can be in the right place at the right time. Discover your opponent's strengths so you can avoid them and his/her weaknesses and exploit your strengths. Every opponent can be beaten provided he/she is handled correclty. Badminton is a game not only of power, but of brains. Good luck.