Smash VS JumpSmash - need advice

[Mathieu]

Ok... first of all, this is not another 'how to improve my smash' thread and yes, I have done searches on the forum :p.

So here we go... I don't really have a powerful smash but I believe I have the correct technique and everything so I think it's all about practice to get the right timing to use all of my strength/weight in my smashes (I think I am currently using almost only the wrist and I don't get the power from my weight transfer/shoulder rotation/core etc).

During the season, I started reading a lot of stuff here about Jump smashes and I decided to give it a try. It was a success... In fact, I realized that my jump smashes were more powerful than my regular smashes (don't forget that I have a weak smash...) and, of course, they had a better angle.

So here is the problem: I started using less and less regular smashes and more Jump smashes in my games and in practice. But my coach told me that it is better to start with regular smashes and once you master them, you can start using/practicing more jump smashes. I guess it makes sense that the jump smash is more advanced and should be learned only once you master the regular smash (which I don't ...:() . So should I totally forget about the Jump smashes, or should I use them only in games, or should I practice both jump smashes and regular smashes?

By the way, Jumping is not really a problem for me... I am 17 years old, 5'9 and I weight 130 lbs so it does not really take to much of my energy to jump even though it takes longer to recover from jump smashes, stamina is not really a problem. And I do not smash a lot in singles because I am not good enough at hitting the lines so this is mainly about doubles...

Hope the post was clear enough, I'm waiting for your advice :)
Thank you
Mathieu

[jerby]

well, when do you "master" a shot? when you néver hit it in the net? because you'll never 'master' a shot (your level of demands will increase with your 'skill')
if you mishit, miss or can't consistenly do a standing smash, a jumpsmash will not improve your consistency...
if you can consistently hit a normal smash, jumping might be an option (in some situations)

[Athelete1234]

You might as well focus on both, so that you use normal smashing to set up for a killer jump smash.

[cappy75]

Heh! Actually almost all smash shots with proper body rotation are technically 'jump' smash... it's just a matter of how high you jump:p. At some point during those shots, both your feet have to lift off the ground for proper weight transfer anyways. Normal smash is safer since it gives you better accuracy and shorter recovery time whereas a jump smash takes longer to recover from.

Recovery time is absolutely crucial in doubles since you have less time to work with and against better players the opportunity to hit quality placement shots depends on how fast you recover to be ready to pounce on the return. Remember that the soon you contact the shuttle on your side, the more option you have. Jump smash, although flashier, could potentially put your team on the defensive if your attack is repelled easily.

[SystemicAnomaly]

Very curious! For many/most ppl the jumper is often less powerful than the floor smash. Usually, it's just the steepness of the jump smash that makes it a dangerous weapon. I believe that elite players develop a jump smash that is nearly as powerful as their ground-based smash but not usually more powerful.

Does NE1 know of any exceptions? Have any of the 200+ MPH (sorry metric world) smashes that have been recorded been jump smashes?

[llpjlau]

FHF??? 300km++ 200mph+++

[Green72(CAN)]

I always thought that although one may not be able to hit a jump smash as hard, the speed of jump smash is still faster than that of a normal smash.

This is because the angle at which the shuttle is hit is steeper. More of the momentum transferred is in the downwards direction.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[jas1121]

I think the jump smash is more powerful because mainly its easier to rotate your body in mid-air therefore generate extra strenght.For example, look like Lin Dan's or Fu Hai Feng's smash, they really rotate alot in mid-air. Thats my opinion.

[cappy75]

Jump smash is only effective when it's hit downwards, many players I have seen who does 'jump' smash frequently hit it out or straight. There's quite alot body mechanism involved in the jump smash and more chance to screw up shot accuracy. A jump smash is also more commitment than a regular smash, so you have to be extra sure of your target when you jump for it. A smash is alot more powerful because of the body weight transfer (back to front) regardless of contact height. Unless you're a natural at the jump smash, it's better to solidify your foundation in the regular smash first.

[snguyen1]

I feel that my ground smashes are stronger but they are not at a good angle. :crying:
Thats why i resolve to using the jump smashes because it has a better angle and its faster, also it would seem my opponent has a harder returning my jump smashes then they do with my normal smashes. Can someone explain to me why?:confused:

[chickenpoodle]

I feel that my ground smashes are stronger but they are not at a good angle. :crying:
Thats why i resolve to using the jump smashes because it has a better angle and its faster, also it would seem my opponent has a harder returning my jump smashes then they do with my normal smashes. Can someone explain to me why?:confused:
probably only because when you get an opportunity to jump smash, you're back there with tons of time to look up, look down, grab a bite of your sandwich, then jump and crank that smash. and when you're on the floor, you're probably a bit more rushed for that shot.

the better position you are in, chances are, the worse position your opponents are in.

[DivingBirdie]

It is totally impossible to use only jump-smashes but not regular smashes in any game. This is because you need to reach behind the shuttle early to do a full jump-smash. (i'm talking about the double leg jump, of course). So, it's not rational for a person to neglect the regular jump smash whatever the reason is :) In singles, if one does the full-jump smash for all his strokes, what will happen to his deception ...and his stamina? lol. even lin dan doesn't jump all the time. however in doubles, jumps are used much more frequently. Players might even prefer jump-dropping rather than the regular stroke, for the extra deception and angle...

[Mathieu]

Wow! thanks alot for all the replies!
Whoa, so many ppl to reply to!


Jerby, what I meant by "Master" a shot is hitting the shot consistently and having the right coordination/power in the stroke. Sorry, that was not clear:o

well, when do you "master" a shot? when you néver hit it in the net? because you'll never 'master' a shot (your level of demands will increase with your 'skill')
if you mishit, miss or can't consistenly do a standing smash, a jumpsmash will not improve your consistency...
if you can consistently hit a normal smash, jumping might be an option (in some situations)


Cappy, this is true but I guess the "jumping" part is for different purposes in both cases: For the regular smash, you just naturally lift your feet off the ground while doing the weight transfer but in the jumpsmash, you jump to get to the shuttle and the weight transfer is done by "Unbending your legs"

Heh! Actually almost all smash shots with proper body rotation are technically 'jump' smash... it's just a matter of how high you jump:p. At some point during those shots, both your feet have to lift off the ground for proper weight transfer anyways. Normal smash is safer since it gives you better accuracy and shorter recovery time whereas a jump smash takes longer to recover from.

Very interesting point there Green! I had not thought of it that way... And I guess that since the angle is steeper, the shuttle travels less distance to reach the floor, even if it travels at a lower speed.

I always thought that although one may not be able to hit a jump smash as hard, the speed of jump smash is still faster than that of a normal smash.

This is because the angle at which the shuttle is hit is steeper. More of the momentum transferred is in the downwards direction.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.


DivingBirdie, sorry I was not too clear on that point as well... of course, I meant that I was jump smashing every time that I could and regular smashing the rest of the time. But since I was using this shot mostly in doubles I often had time when we were "well installed" in attack. And unfortunately, my jump dropping is extremely bad (about 50% success, dunno why) so that's why I rarely use the jumps in singles because the opponents knows that whenever I jump, I smash since my jump drops are so bad. In fact, I almost only jump smash to return high services that I can intercept at the doubles service line because it has a higher level of success, in my case.

It is totally impossible to use only jump-smashes but not regular smashes in any game. This is because you need to reach behind the shuttle early to do a full jump-smash. (i'm talking about the double leg jump, of course). So, it's not rational for a person to neglect the regular jump smash whatever the reason is :) In singles, if one does the full-jump smash for all his strokes, what will happen to his deception ...and his stamina? lol. even lin dan doesn't jump all the time. however in doubles, jumps are used much more frequently. Players might even prefer jump-dropping rather than the regular stroke, for the extra deception and angle...

[sunofabeach]

i find that i do jumpsmash alot more than regular smashes. i don't really generate much power on my smashes most of the time though. thats what you get for being old... :( i try to focus on getting a steep angle or smashing at the persons body.
like you, i am so used to doing a jump smash that if someone sends a high clear, i'm already halfway into the jump :D

[kwun]

jumpsmash is built upon the foundation of a regular smash. the added benefit of a jumpsmash is a better angle, and if done correctly, slightly better power.

although you might find that today your jumpsmashes are more powerful, you should still consider improving your stationary smash technique because of the above. if you improve your stationary smash technique, it will bring your jumpsmash to even higher power.

[stumblingfeet]

I remember seeing this one guy play at a competition. my assessment:

general movement - awkward looking
basic smash - weak and poorly coordinated
jump smash - good angle, power -> looked good

This was very weird. The player probably had a disfunction in his movement skills which was throwing off if movement in the basic smash. Perhaps his feet or hips lacked proficiency in moving properly, which threw off the overhead stroking action, and in the jump smash this interference effect wouldn't be present.

So, if I were you, I would look at what the technical differences are between your normal smash and jump smash, how these technical differences affect the outcome of your shot, and what may be causing these technical deviations in your technique.

[XUV-FEL]

U may have no proper bodyrotation in your normal smashes if ur jumpsmashes are much more powerfull.
But I would say that jumpsmashes can generaty more power because u can also use your legs for generating power.