BADMINTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 190, 13 August 1938, Page 6

BADMINTON

CORRECT FOOTWORK MAXIMUM POWER IN SMASH If the footwork of a player is correct he naturally brings the whole of his strength into a shot, a point brought home by the force and power of the smashing of the Australian players last month. To get the maximum power into a smash the feet should be slightly wider apart than for most other shots, with the weight of the body well back on the rear foot and, in the case of a right-handed player, the left shoulder well advanced. The elbow should be slightly flexed and the head of the racquet well behind the head. The arm is brought over, and at the moment of impact all movement is forward. The weight is transferred from the rear to the forward foot in a steady movement, the wrist snaps out and the shoulder and arm straighten. The shuttle must be hit at the extreme limit of the player’s reach and the shuttle should be brought down just to clear the net and score in the opponent’s court where the opening lies. The follow through should be free and even with perhaps a further transfer of the weight back to the right foot. To retrieve a shot the footwork is just as important. The feet should both be about the same distance from the net and well apart to allow a free stroke on either hand. The head of the racquet should be well down and the wrist and arm stiffened to take the impact of the shuttle.