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Are you wondering what a backhand drop shot is in badminton? Here are some guidelines on the technique.
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What Is a Backhand Drop Shot in Badminton?
A backhand drop is a type of shot in badminton where the shuttlecock is hit below waist level. The racket’s head turns over and slightly drops from the wrist to produce a short, soft, floating stroke.
I will discuss how to become proficient at performing a backhand drop shot to increase your success rate during matches.
Why Is a Backhand Drop Such a Good Shot?
Although badminton is overall challenging, the sport has several benefits once you practice and master this unique shot.
If you don’t hit the shuttle hard and fast enough to clear your opponent’s reach, they’ll have no choice other than to stretch and make an error. If you play this at the right time against someone who isn’t expecting it, it’s a great way to get the upper hand.
Lastly, if you have enough space, your opponent will struggle running from one side of the court to another quickly enough. A strong backhand drop shot will put them under immense pressure and might just cause a mistake at a crucial point in a game.
How to Make a Backhand Drop Shot
For the backhand drop shot, the movement is simple. You just need to turn your head and shoulders clockwise when making contact with the shuttlecock. The arm holding the racket should not move forward as this will affect the power and control of where your shot lands.
Here is a step by step guide:
- Hit the shuttlecock below waist level.
- Turn your racket’s head over and slightly drop it from the wrist.
- Show that you are in control by keeping your elbow up high.
- Strikethrough the T-Pose position with your body weight moving towards the target.
- Keep contact with the racket flat and use a whipping motion with your wrist to produce more power.
Where Should I Play the Backhand Drop Shot?
Over 11.2 million people play badminton at least once a year. This statistic includes different techniques practiced in the game. Below are some common situations where a backhand drop shot can be very effective:
- When receiving a serve – allows you to stay grounded at the baseline and react to any shots hit towards you
- When playing mid-court shots – especially when the shuttlecock is high, this will allow you to keep your opponent back and stay in control of the rally
- Playing around the net – if your opponent attacks or drops short, quickly moving your feet to return a backhand drop shot at their body can be very effective
- When playing cross-court rallies, especially if your opponent is very defensive – this can push your opponent back and win you the point
When Should I Not Play a Backhand Drop Shot?
You can avoid putting the backhand drop into play when receiving services or when trying to hit smashes. It won’t be easy to generate the power needed to clear the net when receiving service. Smashing with a backhand drop can be easily blocked or countered.
Always use this shot in combination with other shots to ensure your opponent doesn’t know what you will do next. The backhand drop also cannot be played if there is no space behind the shuttlecock.
How to Defend Against the Backhand Drop Shots
A backhand drop shot is the riskiest of all shots because it’s low to the net and slow, so you could hit the net if you are not careful. To develop your technique, you could try hitting shuttlecocks from a machine or using a friend’s racket.
If you are receiving services and your opponent hits a backhand drop shot, then it is not that difficult to defend. Keep your racket in front of the shuttlecock while moving forward slowly until the shuttlecock lands. Then, move into position for your smash.
If you are on the forehand side of the court and an opponent hits a backhand drop shot, you also have time to react to this. Keep moving slowly towards the shuttlecock until it lands on your side of the court and then moves into position for your smash.
The Drawbacks of the Backhand Drop Shot
The main drawback of the backhand drop is that it does not go over the net. If your opponent gets there in time or decides to come up with a smash, they will easily win the point. This makes it a risky shot to play.
The backhand drop must be used in combination with another shot, such as the clear or drop shot. This ensures that your opponent does not know where you are going next. So knowing when to use this is very important.
The backhand drop is also not very versatile as it lacks speed and power. It cannot be used on smashes, serves, or receiving the service, making this shot less effective than other backhands in badminton.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is the Shuttlecock Falling So Fast?
The speed of a backhand drop shot comes from good technique and timing. A faster swing means a faster shuttle; however, a proper follow-through with your non-playing arm will add some extra power to this shot.
Why Is My Backhand Drop Shot Landing Short of the Net?
The main reason for this would probably be your swing speed, plus your opponent might have anticipated where you were going to place the shuttlecock. To improve, aim slightly behind your opponent and practice following through with your non-playing arm.
Why Am I Getting So Many Faults On My Backhand Drop Shot?
Players might also think you will use a smash or attacking play to win the point, so they are already at the net before you even hit your shot.
Conclusion
A backhand drop shot in badminton is a great way to win that extra point and. Try not to jump up after hitting through, hit the shuttle low with enough force, and make sure you have an open court before using it.
