What do you do when you run into a "power hitter" while playing badminton? Just take the edge off their game!

When playing badminton, there are two types of players who can be particularly tough to handle: one is the fast player—quick in both reaction and movement—since most people aren’t quite as speedy; the other is the power player with a fierce, aggressive style, as these opponents seize every opportunity to attack relentlessly, pinning you back and making it nearly impossible to return their shots effectively.

Today, let me share with you what to do when you encounter someone who’s clearly more powerful than you. I’ll teach you two simple tricks to help you handle the situation with ease. But before diving into those tips, there’s one crucial thing I want to emphasize: when you run into a "heavy hitter," don’t panic—don’t panic—don’t panic…

Don't panic when you encounter a "heavy artillery player."

First, remind yourself mentally not to panic—panicking during a return shot will only put you in an even more passive position. When we watch top-level players compete, we often notice that, even under intense offensive pressure, they manage to control the power of their returns just right. Beyond their rigorous training, this ability also stems from cultivating a mental habit of mastering their physical movements—allowing them to truly stay "calm under pressure and unfazed by challenges."

Here are two tips to help you handle it with ease.

When the opponent launches a fierce attack, use a "deceptive shot" to neutralize their momentum, deflecting their power and leaving them unable to fully execute their next move—effectively limiting them both technically and psychologically. The specific technique for unloading force varies slightly depending on the ball's landing point.

(1) When the ball lands on the forehand side

When quickly receiving the ball, there’s a motion of pulling the racket back along with the ball to create a cushioning effect.

(2) Hitting point following the player's movement

There will be an upward motion, ensuring that the returning ball travels more horizontally.

Pay attention to the lifting motion of the player in red on the right.

(3) When the ball lands on the backhand side

At this point, the movement should shift to a backhand receive position, with your weight transitioning toward the backhand side and the racket head moving toward the sideline to provide cushioning.

"A 'White Crane Spreads Its Wings'-style" buffer and force-dissipating barrier

While dropping the shuttle is effective, it remains a passive defensive tactic. If your opponent launches powerful attacks with well-placed shots, it may become difficult to create opportunities to drop the shuttle. That’s why it’s still essential to take the initiative by using high, controlled clears and lifts to actively move your opponent around the court.

A high-quality lob can tempt the "power hitter" into making a smash, and because your lob is so well-executed, it becomes much harder for your opponent to find the perfect hitting spot—making it far less likely they’ll be able to finish you off in one decisive shot.

Combined with drop shots, this can continuously force your opponent to move around, draining their energy and even prompting mistakes—ultimately creating opportunities for an offensive play.

The two strategies I just shared are particularly effective when facing a powerful "heavy hitter" on the field. But in the long run, the key is to thoroughly improve your core skills. Simply put, if you want to completely neutralize a "heavy hitter," the most efficient approach is to become the faster of the two types we discussed earlier—because in martial arts, speed truly is unbeatable!

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Zhao Jianhua, Yang Yang, and Li Mao have prepared over 100 lessons for everyone, covering techniques like badminton net play, backhand cross-court hooks, and smashes. Click "Read the Original Article in the Bottom Left Corner" to check them out! If you're looking to improve your badminton skills, don't miss this opportunity—definitely worth it!