By Justin Ma, 7x US Junior National Badminton Champion.
Last updated March 22, 2021
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7 min read
When it comes to most sports, a “drop” is a bad thing. Drop the football and the other team will surely pick it up and run it in. Drop the ball in a baseball game and the other team racks up a few runs. Drop the basketball and your coach will let you have it after the game. But when the word drop is used in badminton, it’s usually referring to a deceptive shot technique that can create a tactical advantage, or result in a point for the player who uses it well.
A drop shot doesn’t have the speed or power behind it that a smash or a drive has, but can be as lethal to a rally. In a drop, the shuttle is hit a bit more softly from the rear of the court, and the goal is to send the shuttle just over the net. The ideal landing point for the drop shot is in the frontcourt of the opponent. This forces them forward to reach the shuttle. The trick is to be deceptive, approaching the shot as if you’re sending it deep to throw off your opponent.
Photo Credit: France Olympique Flickr via Compfight cc
The basic concept of the drop shot seems simple, but an experienced player can use a few different techniques to get the job done. Some of these techniques are more advanced than others, so let’s break them down. (Note: A ‘net drop‘ is different than the shot we’re covering here. A net drop is typically accomplished close to the net, while a drop shot is hit from the rear of the court, and appears to be a clear.)
There are two main types of badminton drop shots. The slow drop shot and the fast drop shot are the two main types of drop shots, but to use them to their full potential, we need these badminton shots explained a little more completely.
The slow drop shot is exactly what it sounds like. The shuttle travels slowly over the net, barely cresting the top to land in the front of your opponent’s court. This is the most basic and easy to master drop shot in the game.
While the slow speed gives your opponent some extra reaction time, it also sends them to the front of their court, leaving you to send their return to the rear on your next shot, and force them to scramble. Be sure to practice keeping that shuttle close to the top of net, and landing at the front of the court.
Why are the tiny details of this drop shot so important? A common rookie mistake is setting the enemy up for a clear shot in badminton. If your opponent reaches the shuttlecock while it’s too high, and traveling slowly, they can end the rally with a net kill.
This type of drop shot refers to the speed and grip used when performing the shot. It’s still a slow, just-barely-clear-the-net kind of shot. The aim is still to land the shuttle in the opponent’s frontcourt, but this is the type of drop shot used when returning a shuttle on the racket side of the body. You’ll use a standard forehand grip.
Your stance for the slow forehand drop shot involves approaching the shot with your non-racket foot forward. You’ll want your toes facing the side, and your non-racket shoulder facing the net. You’re essentially facing sideways. Your weight is on your back foot, and your non-racket hand is up in the air. The racket is held behind your head with the racket elbow slightly bent (almost 90 degrees). This may seem like an odd ready-position for this type of shot, but deception is one of the advantages the drop shot provides.
This ready-position will have your opponent thinking you’re sending a power shot to the back of their court. They’ll anticipate having to move backward, and if your drop shot is executed correctly, they’ll have very little time to regroup and head to make the return. If they manage to reach the shuttle, the hope is that their return will be weak.
This drop shot is also a slow, just-over-the-net move. You want to land that grenade right in the front of their court, for the reasons described above. The difference between the forehand and backhand slow drop shots is the grip, approach and what side the shuttlecock is coming in on. If the shuttle comes in on the non-racket side of your body, a backhand grip is often the only way to pull it off.
You’ll have your back to the net when you make connection with the shuttle on this shot. You want it to look like you’re about to hit a clear or a drop. Only at the very last second will you pull back on the power, using just your wrist.
The fast drop shot is only different from the slow drop shot in it’s speed and landing zone. While a slow drop shot’s shuttlecock path will have more of an arc, a fast drop shot has a slightly steeper trajectory. A fast drop shot shuttlecock, because of its steeper path, will ideally land somewhat closer to midcourt than the slow drop shot. You still want it to pass just barely over the top of the net. You also still want to deceive your opponent into thinking you are about to hit a clear or a smash. The deception is what makes the drop shot so effective.
Photo Credit: France Olympique Flickr via Compfight cc
The ready position for this shot is the same as the slow forehand drop shot. The difference will lie in the wrist movement. This shot can effectively be executed with a small bit of slicing action. Faking your opponent out is easier with this shot because it actually does require a bit more power than the slow drop shot. It makes it easier to ‘pretend’ you’re going to hit a smash or a clear. The difference lies in the slicing action when connecting with the shuttle.
How to perform the basic slice drop shot? Check out this great tutorial by Bay Badminton coach Kowi Chandra.
The reverse slice forehand drop shot is another deceptive technique that experienced players use to control the rally, and keep the advantage. The shuttle will sail in the opposite direction that your racket is pointing. You’re still using a forehand grip, and taking a forehand drop shot ready position. The slicing action comes at the last minute, after your opponent is already committed to heading the other way. Their split second decision to change directions will usually guarantee only a weak return, giving you control of the game.
How to perform the reverse slice drop shot? Check out this great tutorial by Bay Badminton coach Kowi Chandra.
Cross Court Drop Shot – Badminton Bonus
If an effective badminton drop shot seems like a great way to catch your opponent off guard, then a cross court drop shot in badminton is even more difficult to return. This drop shot follows the same basic principles as the forehand drop shot, however the aim of the shot is to send the shuttlecock to the complete opposite side of the net. This forces them to not only scramble forward, but also to a far side of the court. This makes their weak area even larger when you return the next shot.
As a right handed player, a forehand cross court drop shot would send the shuttlecock from the right side of your rear court, just over the far left side of the net to land in your opponents front court (their right, your left).
How to perform the cross court badminton drop shot? – Check out this great step-by-step tutorial on performing the cross court drop shot.
Photo Credit: France Olympique Flickr via Compfight cc
Your drop shot, like everything else in the game of badminton, will improve with continued and purposeful practice. Here are some tips for improving your drop shot:
If you want to reach higher levels of competitive badminton, stocking your badminton skill arsenal with all the best weapons is important. Not only is learning the drop shot important for your own game, but knowing the mechanics of the shot will make you a better defensive player when your opponent uses the same tactic against you. The badminton drop shot is an offensive technique that can give you the edge you need to conquer your next opponent!
For additional tips, tricks and drills, follow BadmintonJustin on Youtube and Instagram. Let me help you take your badminton game to the next level.
