Featured Image: Pierre-Yves Beaudouin
Counter-Attacking in badminton doubles is about turning defence into attack. In the previous article, we covered some of the basics of defence, including body position and defensive formation. Below we will discuss which shots are available to you in defence and how to use them to counter-attack.
Using Defensive Shots To Counter- Attack
Previously we’ve seen the shots available to the defending partnership. Now we’ll look at each one and how to create opportunities for counter-attacking in badminton.
Lift
A straight lift has limited utility as a counter-attacking shot. You’re preventing the opponent from winning the point, but by lifting straight, the opponents still have the advantage of the attack. If you notice the opponent is weak at moving corner to corner, playing a crosscourt lift would put movement pressure on them. This is most effective when moving an opponent from their forehand side to their backhand side. It is difficult to play an attacking shot on the backhand, especially if they get to the shuttle late. Their only option is usually to play a clear, thus giving you the attack.
Some opponents may counter this by having the frontcourt player move out to take the cross-court lift (attacking rotation). This may result in limiting the effectiveness of your shot. It depends on the opponent’s relative position at the time and their chemistry.
Even if this does occur, the frontcourt player’s momentum is moving backward so they might not be able to play as a strong attacking shot, therefore providing an opening to play a follow-up counter-attack.
Notice in the above video at 0.38, although the cross-court lift does not put a lot of pressure on Lee Yong Dae, it’s enough to regain the attack.
There are two factors to consider when playing cross-court lift:
- The ability of your partner in defence to deal with the smash if your opponents are able to move across the court quickly and maintain the attack. Assuming your opponent is quick at this particular movement, and your partner is weaker in defence it’s probably not the best option to put that pressure on your partner.
- Ideally, you want to make the opponent move the longest distance to play their shot. If you can’t play it consistently from corner to corner you are selling yourself short. If you are constantly hitting it out or to the middle of the court, it will not be effective as a counter-attacking shot.
At high levels of play, it can be very difficult to counter-attack with a cross-court lift. The opponent’s smash may simply be too strong to play a well-placed lift. In addition, the players at high levels are extremely quick and able to move fast enough to get to that lift and maintain the attack.
Block
The block is typical counter-attacking in badminton. If you play a good block, the opponent will have to move forward and take the shuttle below net height. This means the opponent only has a limited number of replies to your defensive shot. The most common response would be a lift, putting you back on the attack.
Another advantage is that the block shot can be followed forward to the net. This means they are challenging the opposing net player. Again this puts pressure on the opponent and can force them to lift the shuttle. The player who played the block is then in an attacking forecourt position and their partner will assume the rear court role.
In the above video, Koo Kien Keat demonstrates a great defensive block at 0.13 seconds.
Push
A push to the midcourt will create uncertainty between the two players. The opposing frontcourt player has to make the decision to intercept it or not. The rear court player must decide whether the frontcourt player is capable of intercepting that shuttle. If they do not think they will be able to, the rear court player will come forward to take that shuttle. This often results in both players going for the same shot, which causes hesitation between both players.
The real advantage of this shot is that it can open up the court. The shot itself works well almost as a set play to create another more pressurizing counter-attacking shot. When you force the rear court player forward the opposite side of the court is exposed. The follow-up shot after your initial push can be a cross-court push or drive
In the best-case scenario, you will win the point by playing the shuttle into the open space. If the opponent is quick to recover, they will still be limited in their shot choice as they have to travel across the court to play the shot. Therefore the best option for them to recover from this would be a lift, therefore keeping you on the attack. This is a great shot choice for mixed doubles.
Drive
This is probably what most people this about when considering fast counter-attacking in badminton. It’s a shame I couldn’t find a subtitled video of the below. But even just visually it’s a great video explaining the drive defence. Other videos of the Chinese team teaching can be found here!
Driving the shuttle back straight at pace will give less time for the attacking player to recover after playing their smash. An effective flat drive will also prevent the opponent from attacking the shuttle from overhead. Instead, they will have to drive if they wish to continue to play at pace. If they are not in a position to drive they will have to lift the shuttle or play to the net.
Driving the attack cross-court can be dangerous as your shot has to travel through the opposing frontcourt player. However, if played with pace, they will think twice about intercepting it for fear of making a mistake, or simply believing they can’t intercept it at that speed. Driving the shuttle into the open court can be a straight winner as it gives so little time for the attacker to recover from their smash and retrieve the next shot. If they are fast, they may be able to recover but to retrieve a fast cross-court drive puts them under significant pressure. Their best option is to lift to give them time to recover.
Attacking The Smash
If the smash is flat or you anticipate the smash well, you can adopt a crouched defensive position. In effect, this is a drive defence but played overhead. Playing this a little closer to the net catches the shuttle before it falls below net height. As a result, you can drive the shuttle can with more speed and flatter than the usual defensive shot.
The video below shows Marcus Kido demonstrating this defensive shot.
This shot is unique in that it enables you to move forward towards the net while you are defending while putting pressure on the attacker.
Following Your Shot
Following your defensive shot means that you will be in a good position to cover any responses from your opponents to the net. Particularly for pushes, drives, and blocks. The opponents will want to remain on the attack and therefore will be looking to gain a lift from you.
It’s important to move forward once you’ve played a good counterattacking shot to threaten the net and be there early to create attacking opportunities for yourself instead.
One of the most important aspects of this is knowing when you have put your opponent under pressure. This will be clear by their body language and movement on the court. The key is how much pressure they’re under. For example, if they appear under a high amount of pressure you should take up an attacking formation in order to cover weak replies to the net and to attack their lift early, giving the opponent as little time to recover as possible.
If they look more comfortable perhaps you want to take up a wedged defensive position. This does not open the court as much as an attacking position would, but you can take advantage of the pressure they are under and move more easily into the front and back formation.
Counter-Attacking In Badminton – The Final Word
Counter-attacking in badminton is one of the most important skills to have if you want to play high-level badminton. Without it, you’ll never be able to create as many opportunities to regain the initiative. And as we all know, the best defense is a good offense! The fast you are able to tun the rally around, the fast you can get on the attack and the more likely it is you will win the point.
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