Now that you’ve been introduced to the basics of playing the game and scorekeeping in previous headline articles, it’s time to talk strategy! If you’re ready to push your game to the next level, then you’ve come to the right place – I’m going to outline some tactics that are commonly used in doubles Badminton. These pointers will give you the upper hand on the court!
Determining how you and your teammate position yourselves on the court will mostly depend on whether your team is attacking or defending. It’s important to note that your positioning will likely need to shift as you gain and lose control of the rally. Here’s a breakdown for you:
- Offense: Your team has gained control of the rally and is forcing your opponent to remain in a defensive position. When attacking, you want to position the player who can hit the hardest in the back of the court where it’s easiest to hit offensive shots, while the other player will remain in the front, defending against returns that are tight to the net. Although it’s difficult for the defending team to retake an offensive position, it’s also difficult to maintain an attacking position; it requires a great deal of stamina for the player in the back to continually hit aggressive shots.
- Defense: Your opponent has gained the advantage and is barraging you with quick, downward shots. In order to defend the width of your court adequately, you and your teammate will need to move side-by-side and move approximately one step back from mid court. Doing so gives you the most possible time to react to the shots coming your way.
You should always be making decisions on the court that will increase your potential to make an attacking shot (smashes, net kills, or any hit that is downward). When your team takes control, it’s time to hit the shuttlecock as hard and fast as possible. You want to force your opponent to lift the shuttlecock each time they return your hit. Doing so guarantees that you remain on offense; with control of the shuttlecock, you can continue hitting aggressive shots and in doing so you will likely win the rally. The player in the front can frequently make the rally-winning hit. If the shuttlecock is returned softly/slowly to the net, a well-timed net kill can quickly end the rally and gain your team the point!
If your opponent takes the offensive, you should adjust your positioning and wait for an opportunity to take it back. This can be done with a well-timed return, or by simply waiting for your opponent to run out of energy or make a mistake. It’s likely that your safest return will be to lift the shuttlecock to the rear of your opponent’s court. Although it is challenging to defend against smashes, it’s important to note that your opponent is expending a large amount of energy in an effort to maintain a strong offense while you and your teammate are almost rooted in your footing, and expending very little energy in keeping the shuttlecock off the ground on your side. Be patient, stay vigilant, and wait for your window of opportunity to strike!
Check out these pros doing what they do best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xROUslPcpNo
Now get out there and tear up the court with your shiny new tactics! Most importantly, remember to have a BLAST while you and your teammate smash the shuttlecock to victory!
