I wonder if anyone out there can help me to develop a strong smash. Having played badminton for 11 years (I am 31 now!) I've found as I got older my smash aren't as consistent as it used to. Can anyone suggests some exercise or drills I can practice. I don't think I'm that old to improve. Thanks!

Maybe as one of the national player here in our country, the Philippines, i can suggest that you have a daily or regular weight lifting exercises. Regular weight lifting exercises can improve your smashing ability. Using 3-4 raquets at a time while practicing your smash moves is one of the best drills that will surely improve you.

Hope I have helped ou in your problems.

Good luck.

Thanks Anton! I used to do quite a bit of weight training but I find it makes my arm too heavy to move around hence slowing my shots around the court. But I will try your 3-4 rackets concept. question: Do you literally hold 4 rackets on a hand?
Cheers matey!

Hi Robbie

When doing weights, there is 3 type of weights you can do. the first type is to increase your muscles be big (this does not increase your resistance), the second to get power (and some resistance) and the third to get resistance (and some power). Badminton fall more in the third category. The first thing you do is to find the maximum weight you can lift in one rep. You then take 60% of that weight and you do 2 series of 25-30 reps (stretching between each serie). In your case, I suspect that you doing more of the second type, this would explain why your arm was being too heavy. Hope that this can help.

Norm

Cheers for your suggestion,mate! Someone suggested to train with a squash racket also helps as well. There's gonna be some strange faces looking at our court next time I play!

hello robbie

I'm not sure that i cant help you but i practice with badminton player if you would like to practice the muscle hand you have to use drumbel and barbel it will have strong muscle hand and then you don't jumping in the air because it making you feel knel hurt.This is the basic if you want to know anything please mail to me.
bye..

Me, my smash is non-existent.

To really improve your smashing power and consistency, you need to build stronger muscles on the back of your upper arms (triceps) and to a lesser degree your right chest and stomach.

For practice, you should play half-court singles, this will focus your smashes and teach you to hit accurately 'down the lanes'. Try to hit the shuttle earlier and earlier, hopping up if you have to, reaching to hit it a fraction earlier than is comfortable. Once you're used to this, then start with small jump smashes. The extra height of contact will also make it easier to clear the net and increase the speed as the trajectory becomes steeper.

The most important technique for improving smash speed is to use your whole body. That means setting your feet early, pulling your right leg back (if you're right-handed) so that your body is sideways on, and raising your left arm to the oncoming shuttle. This will naturally coil your racquet arm around to the back of your body. Then throw your entire right arm up and at the shuttle, using your legs to push up and over.

One good practice technique is the 3/4 practice drill. It's the standard smashing drill, but hit all your smashes with only 3/4 power, concentrating on aiming your smashes at awkward areas of your opponent's body, and on getting a smooth trajectory. Once you can keep these drills going for 20 or 30 smashes, you'll find in the real games, you can hit full powered smashes from almost anywhere on court with full confidence.

Don't worry too much about your age. There is an ex-national player at my club who is 45, and he weighs about 280 lbs (while being quite short). He has one of the strongest smashes around, because he simply has good technique. Smashing is definitely the most rewarding shot in badminton. Having a powerful, reliable smash can make all the difference.

Good luck,

Harry

Thanks for your excellent explanation, Harry! Maybe I'm not that old afterall.
I will definitely use your technique.

Robbie

btw do you play in a club in London?