Types of Shots

The fundamentals of badminton include certain types of shots. There are five essential shots: drive, clear, drop, smash and net. Each of these shots contain a different body form and technique. The offensive shots-- drop and smash-- require more power than defensive shots-- clear and net. Drive shots, however, can be considered both offensive and defensive.

Offensive shots
1. Drop:

• Hitting the shuttlecock downwards towards the opponent's forecourt, barely over the net and before the service line.
• If opponent is in the back court, the drop shot will make the opponent run forward.
• The closer the drop is to the net, the harder it will be to return.

2. Smash:

• The most powerful shot.
• At the highest point of contact and a snap of the wrist, the shuttlecock with go speeding downwards in a steep slope.
• Usually used to end a rally.

Defensive shots
3. Clear:

• The shuttlecock will hit directly in the middle of the racket-head.
• The shuttlecock will land in the opponent’s back court.
• Usually used in need for more time.
• If opponents are close to the net, the clear shot is useful to make the opponent run towards the back court.

4. Net:

• A light shot that uses little force to push over the net.
• Normally tumbles over the net and does not pass the service line.

5. Drive:

• Hit directly over the net.
• This shot is quick.
• The racket should be help in front with the racket-head facing flat forward. Because the quickness, the racket should always be held up.

Here are the five basic shots of badminton. It is difficult to explain without a diagram or video. Hopefully my readers at least get the gist of the shots.