purpose of a net shot in badminton

A badminton net shot is exactly what it sounds like. It's a shot near the cyberspace. Boom! Postal service over. Right? No style! In that location's so much more to net shot strategy, and if information technology were this cut and dry, we wouldn't be dedicating valuable web log space to it.

A full color image of a feathered shuttlecock sailing just over the top of a badminton net in an indoor badminton facility.

Badminton Cyberspace Shot: Definition and Basics

In case you are a very new player, it's worth making it a point to run through the definition and nuts of the cyberspace shot. A net shot is an offensive play that the shuttler executes in the forecourt, close to the net. The birdie sails equally close to the height of the net as possible and lands in the opponent'south forecourt, usually very close to the net too. Net shots tin can be executed with both a forehand OR backhand grip, depending on your position to the birdie.

Let's talk about execution, and then visit briefly the different types of net shots. Though they are all shots taken from right at the net, at that place are subtle differences, and each blazon serves a different purpose. Some net shots can get you into trouble if used at the wrong time, so knowing those differences in strategy adjacent can assist mitigate adventure on the court.

Executing a Net Shot – Short Flying, Sugariness Result

There are both forehand and backhand net shots, just the strategy for both are similar. The deviation lies simply in which side of the body the shuttle is going to end up on. Here's how to execute a solid forehand internet shot:

Lunge toward the cyberspace with the racket leg forward.
Extend the racket arm – some coaches compare this forward motility to a fencing movement. The arm should be directly and the wrist loose and flexible.
The noise head should be parallel to the court or facing downward slightly, so that the shuttlecock bounces off the strings, without TOO much power backside it. You want the shuttlecock to exit your racket in a frontwards motion, without sailing too loftier over the acme of the net. The college the birdie, the greater chance your opponent has of returning the shuttle – and ending the rally with a cyberspace kill.
A subtle slicing motion will add extra spin or a tumbling effect that makes returning the birdie fifty-fifty more than difficult for your opponent. Also much slicing motion volition interpret into power that sends the shuttle also high. It's best to effort to use your trunk'southward forrad momentum to create the slicing moment, rather than the strength of your swinging movement.
As soon as the shuttlecock leaves your racket strings, immediately return to the gear up (base of operations) position.

Types of Cyberspace Shots in Badminton – Non All Shots are Created Equal!

Like virtually badminton shots with multiple variations, the cyberspace shot is no different. Internet shots tin can be used to strength your opponent forward, backward, or even to set yourself up for the side by side shot. Just sentry out! Sure variations of net shots are risky and can backfire. Let's interruption downwards the subtle differences betwixt these useful forecourt net shots.

Bones Forehand/Backhand Badminton Cyberspace Shot

This is the most basic net shot, and the first 1 beginner players should focus on mastering. The execution of this shot would be as follows:

Lunge toward the internet with the racket leg frontwards
Extend your racket arm, keeping the noise head parallel to the ground or facing SLIGHTLY downward.
Let the shuttlecock bounce off the racket strings, using a straight arm with a loose, flexible wrist. (Not too much power! Keep the shuttlecock as close to the superlative of the internet as possible.)
Immediately return to a base 'ready' position after the shuttlecock leaves the dissonance.

When Should I Use A Bones Forehand Net Shot in Badminton?

The basic forehand net shot is primarily useful in 2 situations.

This shot is used every bit an opportunity to take reward of your opponent's inability to reach the front of the court in time to render. If your opponent is in the rear court, they aren't likely to make a potent return when the shuttle drops just over the internet.
This shot is as well a strategy you can use to proactively set upwards your next shot. A bones net drop will pull your opponent to their forecourt, equally you render to the ready position. When they render the shuttlecock, y'all tin can quickly ship information technology to their rear-court, sending them scrambling across a large area.

This image shows the point of impact at the net, and the trajectory just over the net of a basic forehand/backhand net shot trajectory.

Tumbling Net Drib

This shot follows the same execution as the bones forehand or backhand shot but besides employs the use of some of that subtle slicing motion we talked about earlier. Sending the shuttlecock over the net spinning and tumbling makes it harder for your opponent to render. Be careful that your slicing activity isn't adding unnecessary power behind the shot, or the shuttle will get likewise high, assuasive your opponent a possible internet kill to end the rally.

Check out a simple net drop drill on Badminton Justin?due south Youtube Channel that you can do with a jitney or teammate, or even an automatic shuttle feeder.

Cantankerous-court Net Shot

The cross-courtroom net shot is one of the trickier – and riskier moves you tin can make. You should just execute it if you're sure that your opponent volition be unable to make a potent return. A cross-court internet shot sails the shuttlecock (only barely) over the cyberspace but aims to land on the opposite service side. If pulled off deceptively, this could be an impossible shot to return.

Still, if it is returned, you have only set up yourself up to clear a LOT of court space to go to the shuttlecock to return it yourself. This possibility makes the cross-court internet shot a risky strategy.

Internet Kill

A internet kill is not a smash. Let me echo, a internet kill is not a boom. It doesn't crave nearly as much ability or preparatory positioning, and is executed at the net, not in the rear of the court. However information technology does not involve the gentle elevator over the net that the you wee with the basic or tumbling net shots.

This shot is perfect for when your opponent sends a irksome, loose shot over the cyberspace. You can use this opportunity to speedily bat the shuttle to the floor earlier they can react. The trajectory of a net impale is sharply angled kickoff almost right at the net and ending on the courtroom service just behind your opponent's short service line.

This image shows the straight, downward trajectory of the shuttlecock after being hit in the forecourt just behind the net.

Net Lift

A internet lift, basically an underarm clear performed correct at the cyberspace, is meant to send the shuttle high and to the rear of your opponent'due south court. A net lift is a keen option for returning your opponents net shot. This clear is a mode to manipulate your opponent's positioning, and send them scrambling backwards rather than forwards like your basic or tumbling cyberspace shot. The landing zone is completely contrary.

This internet shot, similar the cross-court net shot carries with it some risk. Should your lift non quite accomplish the proper pinnacle, your opponent could grab the rare chance to ship a mid-court smash your fashion.

An image showing the high arc and fall of a "Net Lift".

Hairpin Net Shot

This is a last minute connection with the shuttlecock that will have spectators holding their breath, sure that the shuttlecock is going to striking the floor. This is a net shot that is executed very close to the floor, and is referred to equally a hairpin net shot considering the shape of the shuttlecock's trajectory looks similar a hairpin (bobbypin).

This is an image illustrating the "hairpin shaped" trajectory of a net shot that has a point of impact very close to the court surface, just behind the net.

How Can You Improve Your Badminton Cyberspace Shots?

Perform drills at the net with an automatic shuttle feeder, or a playing partner. Practice keeping the shuttlecock as close to the net equally possible. Create the muscle memory needed to know exactly how much power you need to put backside the shuttle to get it over the cyberspace, but not so high that your opponent tin accept advantage.

A internet shot in badminton is an important and unavoidable part of the game. If you want to accomplish an elite level of play, yous simply can't ignore these shots. They are very useful when yous desire to accept control of the game, and set yourself upwards past forcing your opponent to the front, or the dorsum of the court. Net play is a skill that must be honed and perfected. The all-time way to ameliorate is elementary: practice practice practice.

Fix to become serious about your badminton training? Bank check out tips, tutorials, and useful drills at with BadmintonJustin on Youtube.