Badminton Singles is a game that demands high physical fitness, presence of mind, speed, power, agility, and strength. Well, not only this, certain skills are very important to become a good singles badminton player. In this article, I will share with you the 10 tips you should work on for better performance. Moreover, try to incorporate these skills into your practice to see the results in your competitive matches.
Base Position
In singles, it’s only you on your side so therefore, you need to cover your entire court area effectively. For effective movement, you need to recover to your base position after every shot so that you can easily reach the next shot.
To make this easier, try to control your rally so that you get enough time to recover to your base position. If not, your opponent cannot catch you off-guard and you’ll have to scramble to reach the next shot.
While watching professional matches, you might have observed the footwork of elite players like Carlina Marin, Tai Tzu Ying, Kento Momota, and many more. The key aspect of their movement is that they get back to their base position quickly with minimum effort.
There are many strategies you can use to solidify your base position. Importantly, playing at good length by getting your clears and lifts deep into the backcourt of your opponent is one of the best strategies. This gives you time to go to your base position. It also gives you more time to reach and hit the next shot.
Footwork
The most important element in badminton singles is your footwork. Once you settle your base position, the next step is to be able to receive the shuttle from anywhere of the court. For this, you need to channel your movements effectively by practicing several footwork drills so that you don’t receive the shuttle in a wrong manner. There are a couple of things you need to keep in mind to improve your footwork. Work on your split step and develop your muscle memory.
What is a Split Step?
A split step is a technique of widening your stance to get ready for the next shot from your opponent. It involves slightly bending from your natural stance with feet shoulder-width apart. The split step allows you to change directions quickly and helps in fluid footwork. Well, the timing is extremely crucial while executing a split step.
Don’t give easy points
In singles, you alone have to work hard for every single point. Giving free points to your opponent by committing errors and faults will make you lose points in the game. A game constitutes 21 points and even if you lose 2 points, this means you have given 20% of your game to your opponent. Some of the common mistakes that can lose you points are:
- Serving at the net
- Returning the shuttle at the net
- Serving above your waist
- Stepping on the line while serving
Whether you win or lose, you should make your opponent work hard for the points. There are certain situations where you cant control a mistake but don’t make mistakes under situations you have full control over. Take a look at an exquisite badminton rules guide that will help you understand all the rules in badminton.
Master Net Shots
Well, net shots are one of the most important shots in badminton. You need to have control over the net as this will decide whether you will be at the attacking side or not. Moreover, you need to know how to spin the shuttle because they are very difficult to lift and a low lift can give you a strong chance to win a point.
In competitive matches, you might have observed players playing tighter at the net to force the opponent to execute a lift. However, net shots can be risky as well so it is important to keep practicing them.
Aggression
Keeping the rallies at a high pace without losing control forces your opponent to a defensive position. Well, is you are in the defensive position then you have very little options for the next shot that can keep you at a disadvantage. Therefore, if you are able to rush the other player with race, then they don’t have enough time to think about what shots they can play next. Instead, they’ll try to play safely by being more reactive and just try to receive every shot.
Analyze your opponent
Well, this skill comes with experience. It involves analyzing your opponent’s body language, style of play, and position. This can help you analyze as to what shot can your opponent play next. Also, you can analyze your opponent’s pattern of play. For instance, do they always hit a smash when you lift or clear, do they block when you hit a smash, and many more patterns.
The ability to read your opponent’s shots puts you one step ahead in the game and in a rally. For example, if you anticipate that your opponent always hits a straight smash when given the chance to attack, then you can be ready to defend it with a cross block.
Limit your opponent’s options.
In singles, if you can limit the options to which your opponent can receive a shuttle, you will be in advantage. For instance, hitting to the extreme baseline of your opponent will either make them execute a clear, drop or half smash. Well, this is not compulsory for all types of players.
Another instance is if your opponent is extremely proficient at the net, then try to avoid hitting at the net and try to put your opponent in a defensive position most of the time.
Mental Strength
You are the sole source of strength for performance in singles. You need to think positive and not get demotivated when you lose some points. Believe in yourself and take that extra effort to reach difficult shots. This will help you improve your game exponentially. Self-confidence plays a key element in singles. plays a key element in singles.
Aim at the corners
In singles, you have to cover the whole court efficiently and cannot risk being caught out of position. Getting your opponent’s move to the deep corners of the court limits their options and it also gives you enough time to get back to your base position. If the shuttle reaches easily to your opponent, then you can be at a disadvantage as he/she can make you struggle for the next shot.
Deception
This is a skill that comes with experience and practice. Have you watched Tai Tzu Ying who is known as the Deception Queen? Well, sometimes she wins multiple points as she confuses her opponents using her deception ability.
Deception means confusing your opponent by hitting the shuttle in another direction than the expected one by using False Action. You show your opponent a shot that you are really not going to play. This is a very important skill and can help you in difficult situations in a rally.
Final Thoughts
So here are 10 badminton skills you should work on to become a better singles player. ‘Practice makes perfect’ keep repeating this in your mind so that you practice hard to improve upon these skills in your game and remember nothing comes easy but with persistence, passion, and dedication the results are surely fruitful.