Badminton Net Play

Badminton Net Play is an important area that requires more finesse than power. A flick of a wrist could send your opponent scrambling back.

A sudden change in angle of the racket face could send your opponent falling desperately to the ground.

For me, winning a point from these types of badminton shots are more satisfying than a point won from smashing. The feeling of being able to play delicate shots and deceive your opponent is really pleasing. It is like winning a battle effortlessly.

There are 3 types of net play.

Net Shots

These shots are played from around the net area back to your opponent's net area. It can be played both on the forehand and backhand sides. The objective is to force your opponent to hit a weak lift or hit shots that could not clear the net. These shots can be played straight or cross court.

Execute the net shot well and you will have a tumbling shuttle falling into your opponent's court. It is a difficult shot to return by any standards.

Here are some pointers for playing a net shot.

- Adopt the forehand grip for forehand shots or the backhand grip for backhand shots.

- Must keep the racket up in front of your body.

- Lunge forward aggressively with your racket leg.

- Extend the racket arm and keep the racket high to ensure the shuttle is hit as early as possible.

- The racket face shall be parallel to the floor and let the shuttle bounce off the racket face.

- Your lunge movement and the parallel racket face will cause the shuttle to tumble over the net.

- You can try to move the racket head slightly outwards to increase the tumbling effect.

- Push back to your base position using both legs while ensuring your racket is still up in front of your body.



There are times when you could only reach the shuttle when it has fallen close to the ground and near the net. A successful net shot from this difficult situation is called a Hairpin Net Shot. It is so named because the flight path of the shuttle resembles an inverted hairpin.

The techniques for hitting the hairpin net shot are about the same as a normal net shot. But because it is hit near to the ground, you need to slice or lift your racket a bit. Although it is a rather difficult shot to play, you will learn it with practice.

Net Kill

Net kill is a shot played when your opponent has played a loose shot over the net, providing an opening to strike the shuttle down from the net area.

The basic preparation and movement for the net kill is the same as the net shot. The only difference is that you need to hold the racket head high enough to take the shuttle above the net level. The key is to be quick to the net.

As this shot is played with a tap action near the net, there is a risk of you hitting the net. So make sure when you play this shot, use your wrist with little or no racket arm movement. Once you make contact with the shuttle, let your racket rebound back to ensure no follow through.

Net Lift

Net Lift is actually an underarm clear played from around the net area. Use this shot when you want to move your opponent to the back court or create more time for yourself. It can be played straight down the line or cross court. Hitting it higher or flatter will depend on your opponent's positioning.

A good way to deceive your opponent is to move forward and play a shot like the net shot. Just before striking the shuttle, unlock your wrist and send the shuttle to your opponent's back court. Your opponent will have a hard time if you can disguise it well.

Here are some pointers for the Net Lift / Underarm Clear.

- Adopt the forehand grip for forehand net lift or the backhand grip for backhand net lift.

- Extend and put your racket up when you go for the shot.

- The point of impact shall be well out in front of you and as high as possible with your racket leg leading in a lunge position.

- Swing your racket upwards as the shuttle drops in the hitting area.

- Unlock your wrist as you contact the shuttle, producing a whip action.

- Follow through with your racket in the direction of the shuttle's trajectory.

- Push with both legs and move back to your base position.


Badminton Net Play is an important area that you should spend a considerable amount of time on it. Once you have mastered the techniques of these Badminton Shots, you will be able to deceive your opponent...