Player: Is that Yao Yao Ling? Someone’s trying to kill me! Police: Where is it happening? Player: At the badminton court.

•5 min read
Player: Is that Yao Yao Ling? Someone’s trying to kill me! Police: Where is it happening? Player: At the badminton court.

Buddy: 110—someone’s trying to kill me!

Police: Where is it?

Buddy: At the badminton court,

Police: Are you okay for now?

Buddy: No worries for now—he’s tried several times to kill me, but hasn’t succeeded yet!


Police: What did he use to kill you?
Buddy: At first, he went straight at me, but later he even started using diagonal shots. A few times in the middle, he nearly gave me a headache! Turns out, just targeting me wasn’t enough—now he’s trying to take down my partner too. He’s gone completely berserk. If you see him, high or low, just grab your guns and call the cops—fast!

When playing badminton, the most stylish move has to be the smash—and among smashes, the coolest one is undoubtedly "hitting the shuttlecock straight into the ground in one fluid motion."


"Smashing the shuttlecock down," is performed near the center of the court, involving a high jump followed by a powerful downward smash, aiming for an exceptionally high hitting point to send the shuttlecock swiftly downward.


"Smashing" it into the ground—this is also an impossible shot for the defender, since the ball isn’t just fast; its landing spot is simply out of reach.


Lee Chong Wei—this is the most direct experience of "hitting it dead solid."


Mastering the "one-hit, ground-striking" smash shot is quite challenging for amateur players, as it requires jumping high to achieve an optimal hitting point while delivering the ball with incredible speed—skills that demand exceptional physical fitness. While this type of smash represents our ultimate goal, for now, the best we can do is focus on perfecting the more basic, yet equally effective, standard smash.


Mastering the regular smash is still a fun and effortless experience for amateur players.


A regular smash is essentially a powerfully executed shot—built on the foundation of conventional tactical net pressure—but with added force to increase ball speed, aiming for precise landing points. It’s far more aggressive than a standard downward hit.

A light downward push is similar to a smash.

Now let's learn this versatile smash attack that’s suitable for everyone—once you master the basics, you’ll naturally grasp even the more advanced versions!


Step 1: Footwork—Before preparing to smash, first turn sideways with your left foot forward, ensuring both toes are firmly planted on the ground. Then, quickly retreat backward using a swift stepping motion, positioning the hitting point slightly ahead and above your right shoulder. If the hitting point is too far back, you’ll end up hitting only high shots.


Step 2: Prepare your swing—position your right arm at a 45-degree angle or slightly wider, with your left hand forward to maintain balance. Keep your eyes fixed on the incoming ball, assessing its height, speed, and landing point.


Step 3: As the shuttlecock begins to fall, initiate your jump—keeping both knees slightly bent to prepare for takeoff. Propel yourself upward by pushing off the ground with the tips of your feet, aiming to deliver a powerful smash. Immediately after smashing, pivot quickly, landing first with your left foot positioned behind you. Once your right foot touches down, swiftly return to the center of the court. (Typically, players opt for a single-leg jump and aim to leap as high as possible based on their individual abilities.)


Step 4: Rotate your body into a backswing, with the racket fully tilted backward, poised like an arrow nocked on a bowstring.


Let's look at it from a different angle—notice carefully how her racket-holding hand has already shifted from the forehand grip (where the index finger is slightly forward) to a fist-like grip (with the index finger now retracted). Still, her fingers remain relaxed at this point, without tightening up or applying any force.


Only by retracting the index finger and forming a clenched fist can you fully engage your wrist movement and generate maximum power at the moment of impact. Many people struggle with powerful high-clear shots (smashes), and this is often due to one critical mistake.

Step 5: Rotate your arm inward, swiftly swing the racket to smash the shuttlecock, engaging your entire body in a coordinated motion—adding the power from your hip rotation as well.


Step 6: Swing your entire arm like a whip—your head acts as the whip’s tip. As you strike the ball, instantly tighten and power up with your fingers. Aim for the impact point slightly ahead of your forehand side. Keep in mind that your right foot has already shifted forward, preparing you to move quickly toward the net. Someone jokingly remarks: "If you can see your belly during this motion, you’re doing it right!"


Step 7: Wrap Up


After practicing these seven steps, you should be able to develop a solid smashes or even execute a more powerful downward shot—but mastering the "one-hit-to-the-ground" technique still requires plenty of dedicated practice, as it’s not just a skill; it’s a true ability.


Challenges in learning the smash:


① The ability to take off;
② Mastering the timing of the jump;
③ Control of aerial poses (the most challenging);
④ Follow-up on the next beat after landing


For these four key challenges mentioned above, consistent, repeated practice of the smash shot is essential to refine your technique—only when you can execute a smash effortlessly on the first swing can you truly be considered an expert. Of course, mastering the "one-stroke nail-down" technique would set you apart as a true master among masters. And if you manage to deliver a smash that forces your opponent to "raise the alarm," well, then you’ve reached the level of an invincible champion!


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