By Justin Ma, 7x US Junior National Badminton Champion.
Last updated February 16, 2022
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2 min read
When we talk about “mastering” a shot in badminton, we mean improving your shot quality to a level you are comfortable with hitting at all times at an extremely high quality. We may never reach total “mastery”, but we can definitely hit the net cord and roll over more often. In this post, we will explore a few ways that you can start mastering a shot in badminton!
At the base of all shot training in badminton is repetition. Muscle memory and practice is what will help you improve your shots the most. You cannot expect to have the best net drop in the world without thousands of hours of practicing a net drop.
We need repetition to remember exactly how it feels to hit that perfect shot. We need to see our shots repeatedly go over the net to the spot that we want it to, without it being too high or too slow.
Repetition can be done through technique training, where you stand in one spot and hit a shot over and over. Repetition can also be done just by playing more badminton — drills, matches, or tournaments will all help to recreate an infinite number of situations where you will be hitting these shots.
Adding pressure to your training will also help you improve your shots. Not all situations in badminton come easily, especially if you are aiming to participate in tournaments or even just friendly competition. You may feel some nerves when you want to win a game (or not lose a game!).
With this pressure, you will need to make sure that your arms can still hit the same shots you do always. By adding pressure, you can recreate these tough situations and give yourself a chance to practice hitting the same high quality shots. Again, there are infinite situations where you might hit these shots so the more we practice them, the more chances we have to maintain a high quality.
My final tip for mastering a shot in badminton is to find a coach (or just another advanced player to help you point out your mistakes). Your coach can help you to perfect a consistent form, which is important to make sure you are hitting the shot the same way each time. They can also point out any timing or other technique mistakes you are making when hitting a shot.
By creating a consistent form, timing, and technique, you can be more confident that you will be hitting the shot the same way each time. When you are hitting the shot the same way each time, your muscle memory can play a larger part in your shot quality.
Make sure you practice, practice, practice! If you really want to improve and master any of your shots, you need to practice repetition as well as find other ways to stay more consistent.
Thanks again for reading another article — if you are looking for more ways to improve your badminton game, make sure to stop by our YouTube channel for more!
