First Author: Matt
Net Play
3 types of Net Play:
1. Net Shot: arching shot played from the net area back to your opponents net area[1]
Objective: force your opponent to hit a weak lift or hit shots that do not clear the net
Tips for executing an effective net shot:
- Keep racket in front of your body
- Lunge forward aggressively with your racket leg
- Extend arm and keep the racket high to ensure shuttle is hit as early as possible
- The racket face must be parallel to the floor
- Let the shuttle bounce off the racket face
- The previous tip will cause the shuttle to tumble over the net
Hairpin Net Shot : A net shot played when the shuttle has fallen close to the ground
Objective: Same as a regular net shot
Tips for executing an effective hairpin net shot:
- Slice or lift racket a bit upon contact with the shuttle
2. Net Kill: played when opponent has hit a loose shot over the net providing an opening to strike the shuttle down from net area
Objective: strike the shuttle quickly downard to your opponents net area
Tips for executing an effective net kill:
- Hold racket head high enough to take the shuttle above the net level
- The key is to be quick to the net
- Use your wrist with little or no racket arm movement: minimizes chance of coming into contact with the net
- After contact let racket rebound back to ensure no follow through
- You can use a net shot to set up a net kill
3. Net Lift: underarm clear played from the net area
Objective: move opponent to the back court or create more time for yourself
Tips for executing an effective net shot:
- Deceive opponent by moving forward as if you are hitting a net shot
- Just before contact unlock wrist in a whip-like fashion and send shuttle to opponent's back court
- Swing racket upwards as the shuttle drops in the hitting area
- Follow through with your racket in the direction of the shuttle's trajectory
- Trajectory will depend on your opponent's positioning
Net Shot Angles:
Straight Net Shots :
-Play this shot the most
-Leaves you well-positioned to cover opponents return
-Can use spin
-Tighter than cross-court shot
Cross-Court Net Shots:
-Riskier than straight net shot
-Not in position to cover an opponents straight net shot return esp. a smash
-Only positive is the element of surprise[2]