Why is Martin Lundgaard's smash so effective?

[Cheung]

Dear Jonas,

Why is Martin's smash so good? He doesn't have the same followthrough with the racquet arm like a lot of players.

He doesn't seem to hit the shuttle as hard as other players.

What's his secret?

[Mag]

Good observation, Cheung. Martin's smashing really "goes against the grain", both in terms of effectivity and execution, so a while ago I did actually study it more closely. I have a few ideas (as do you Cheung, I am sure) but it would be interesting to hear Jonas' thoughts on this, as he's been on the "receiving end" quite a few times! :)

[Neil Nicholls]

Also, did Martin play Singles in the past?
I was watching an old tournament and it must have been not long after Martin teamed up with Lars Paaske. The commentator mentioned that Martin was the least experienced of the pair.

[Mag]

I think Martin was playing both singles and doubles until the late 90's, when he decided to focus on doubles. Martin still plays singles sometimes for his club, and he played 3rd singles in the early stages of last Thomas Cup!

[Johnny]

Posted by Neil Nicholls
Also, did Martin play Singles in the past?

Martin Lundgaard did indeed play singles at the start of his career.
In 1991 he won the Danish U18 championship and also the Nordic U18 championship.
He lost the 1995 Danish championship MS final against Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen.

More information here (http://www.badminton.dk/default.asp?pageid=421) (in Danish).

[Matt Ross]

I hope i can answer this one, i learnt it at the IBA.

The reason his smash is so effective is because of the forarm rotation when he hits the smash. The elbow is up and the way he hits it is roughly the same as using a fly squatter. The idea the arm is used for speed and the forarm then rotates to spank the shuttle. It also allows great direction if he wanted to change the flight of the shuttle.

Thats what i think anyway. I have adopted the technique and, although my follow through is alot bigger, the whip of using the forarm more creates that bit more pace.

[Pete LSD]

Matt,

What do you mean when you say the forearm then rotates to spank the shuttle? Do you mean Martin L. uses more pronation than flexion during the last phase of the swing?


I hope i can answer this one, i learnt it at the IBA.

The reason his smash is so effective is because of the forarm rotation when he hits the smash. The elbow is up and the way he hits it is roughly the same as using a fly squatter. The idea the arm is used for speed and the forarm then rotates to spank the shuttle. It also allows great direction if he wanted to change the flight of the shuttle.

Thats what i think anyway. I have adopted the technique and, although my follow through is alot bigger, the whip of using the forarm more creates that bit more pace.

[Mag]

Guys, let's wait and hear what Jonas has to say, and then we'll all happily join the discussion! (Indeed, I am also a culprit, sorry Cheung!)

:D

[Cheung]

let's define "effectiveness" of Martin's smash in this circumstance. :p

An apparently not-so-hard smash with either:

- ability to win the point, or,
- ability to force a weak reply from the opponent

[Dill]

Could it be that there is a different technique but it is also perfectly placed to give the result of a weak lift or just wins outright becasue it is exactly where it needs to be in order to hit the ground?