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  • The Art of Badminton Deception 2 – Double Motion

    Once a player has fully understand the technique on how to execute all range of strokes and then upgrade himself to master several type of deceptions, the double motion is another type of deception that the player can learn. In the advance stroke coaching module, the double motion deception is another useful and popular type of deception that is very deceptive in nature if executed very well.

    1. Introduction

    Like its name, the double motion deception is simply defined as a type of deception that is executed where two action of racquet swings are performed – The first action of racquet swing (first motion) is performed addressing the shuttlecock in one direction and then, by quickly withdrawing the racquet, a second action of racquet swing (second motion) is performed that will eventually hit the shuttlecock to another direction.

    The objective of this deception, if well executed, is to deceive your opponent about the direction of your hit whereby you show the opponent that you intend to hit the shuttlecock to one direction but then quickly place the shuttlecock elsewhere. For an example:

    You can initiate the first motion of racquet swing similarly like addressing a shuttlecock to do a straight lift but then changing the direction of the shuttlecock by executing a second racquet swing and making a hit directing the shuttlecock into a straight or cross court net.

    2. Components


    By knowing its definition, we can simply understand that the double motion deception technique is centered at its two executed “motion”: It is very important to fully understand the components of this deception in order to fulfill its objective when executed and also to understand the techniques applied to execute them.

    a. First motion
    - Referring to the first @ initial racquet swing action
    - It also referred as a “False Hit” since there is no hit performed even though there is a
    racquet swing executed while addressing the shuttlecock
    - Purpose : This first motion of racquet swing is done to create a convincing scenario
    to the opponent that you are addressing the shuttlecock and making a hit to direct the shuttlecock to
    one specific direction.

    b. Second motion
    - Referring to the second racquet swing performed after the quick withdrawal of the
    racket following the first motion of racket swing.
    - It is also referred as a “True Hit” since there will be a hit performed to direct the
    placement of the shuttlecock.
    - Purpose : This second motion of racket swing will actually deceive the opponent by
    making a hit to direct the shuttlecock into any opposite direction.

    3. Requirements


    Like any other deceptions, to successfully execute a Double Motion Deception, there are certain requirements that a player must fully understand and master first so that this deception can be well executed.

    3.1 General Requirements

    a. A player must understand first how to execute all the full range of normal shots using the correct technique.
    b. A player must have a fair degree of forearm and wrist power to energize the complex movements of the racquet and to hit accurately for proper placement of the shuttlecock.
    c. A player must have a clear vision and awareness on how he moves his racket in refer to where the opponent positioned in order to properly coordinate the next hit.

    3.2 Specific Requirements

    a. Address the shuttlecock early.
    By addressing the shuttlecock earlier:
    - The player will make enough room to execute properly both of the swings.
    - At the same time also, it will allow enough time for the player to observe the opponents position
    - It will also allow enough time for decision making prior to the placement of the shuttlecock.

    b. Grip
    A tight grip is important to maximize the power for both of the swings.

    c. Timing
    Timing is essential to coordinate a fluent sequences of racquet swings and withdrawal of racquet between swings with the trajectory of the shuttlecock.

    d. Fulfilling the purpose of 2 (a) stated above

    4. Technique


    The double motion deception has 4 phases that a player needs to follow in order to properly execute it. These 4 phases are:

    a. Preparation
    b. The first motion – False hit
    c. Withdrawal
    d. The second motion – True hit

    These are the detail explanation and diagram for all the phases:



    a. Preparation

    Always hold the racket head level high
    . By doing this, you can address/retrieve the shuttlecock at the earliest opportunity through a faster respond reflexes and to make enough comfortable room for you to make a convincing first motion of racket swing.

    b. The first motion – the false hit

    With a clear idea of where you are going to direct the shuttlecock ( in this case : A direction), address it and make a swing with the technique and approach exactly like how you are going to hit it but then don’t hit it yet. It is extremely important for you to address the shuttlecock with the correct technique and approach exactly like how you are going to hit it. This is to create a convincing action of racquet swing that will convince your opponent that you are making a hit to direct the shuttlecock to the area of intention ( A direction) hence making your opponent react to retrieve it.

    If this technique is not executed as stated above and the player will rather just do a racquet swing for the sake of making one without any purpose, then most likely, especially in the eyes of an experience player, he will not react to your first swing and subsequently making your double motion deception most likely a fail one. That is why it is important for your first motion of racquet swing fulfill its purpose stated at 2(a).

    c. Withdrawal

    After executing the first motion of racquet swing, quickly withdraw your racquet. It is important for you to quickly withdraw your racquet so that you can properly prepare yourself before making the second motion of racquet swing.

    To properly prepare yourself before executing the second motion of racquet swing is vital because by being properly prepared, you will have enough room to observe your opponent respond from your first racquet swing, adequate time frame to make the decision making process for the next direction of your hit and a comfortable space to maneuver yourself to make that second motion of racquet swing.

    Due to the fact that there is only a few fraction of second exist between the first motion and second motion of racquet swing, a quick withdrawal of the racquet is important to coordinate a fluent action of swings.

    d. The second motion – the true hit

    After executing the first motion of racquet swing followed by a quick withdrawal, a second motion of racquet swing is then executed. At this point, it is important for you to observe and aware where your opponent is positioned in correlate with his reaction towards your first motion of racquet swing.

    By clearly aware of your opponent reaction, at this second motion of racquet swing, hit the shuttlecock and direct it to the opposite direction ( In diagram : B direction) thus deceiving your opponent.

    5. Application


    To execute a double motion deception is not easy. However, in the hand who has mastered it, a double motion deception can produce spectacular results that can even deceive the most experienced player.

    As long as the technique applied to execute it is done correctly, the application of a double motion deception are vast even to the most difficult shots:

    a. First Motion – Straight Clear
    Second Motion – Straight Drop Shot *

    * Involves a deceleration of racquet swing to produce a drop shot

    b. First Motion – Straight net shot
    Second Motion – Crosscourt net shot

    c. First Motion – Straight lift
    Second Motion – Crosscourt lift

    5.1 Tools

    It is better to apply a fast and compact type of racquet swings to both of the motion. By applying such type of swings:
    - Its more maneuverable thus making both of the racquet swings easy to execute.
    - The hit will be more unpredictable since the racquet swing is fast and short.

    5.2 Advancement of the Double Motion Deception

    a. Triple Motion Deception

    A deception that involves 3 actions of racquet swings where the first two actions of racquet swings will be the false hit and the 3rd racquet swing will be the true hit. Rarely being use and very difficult to execute.

    b. Fusing with other type of deception – Hold and Hit

    The double motion deception can be fused with the hold and hit deception. The “Hold” component will remain as it is but the “Hit” component will end as a double motion action. Rarely being use and very difficult to execute.

    By having a clear idea of what Double Motion deception is all about, the next step will be to practice it regularly and once mastered, hopefully it can give benefit in the future and makes how we play badminton even more beautifull. Good Luck
    This article was originally published in forum thread: The Art of Badminton Deception 2 – Double Motion started by shooting stroke View original post
    Comments 10 Comments
    1. Blurry D's Avatar
      Great stuff and very concise... please do not try this at home =P
    1. marmoset's Avatar
      Superb tutorial. Effective deception is a good way of taking the average club player to another level.
    1. knighttrainer's Avatar
      great!!! another weapon for the advance and/or elite players.
    1. santaocir's Avatar
      any video to be followed up?
    1. ongwilliam's Avatar
      ya....pictures or video simplified the thousand words....agree, he he he.....
    1. NeilBiju's Avatar
      Excellent narrative. Thanks a lot. I see this Video on Youtube on the same. check it out
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z807arNCPHs
    1. aruntaufik's Avatar
      good... thanks a lot...
    1. Pakito's Avatar
      Actually, contrary to popular beliefs, a tight grip does not always holds best for deceptive play like double motion. The tight grip is only utilize on the hit for the 2nd motion. So for the first motion, a loose grip is much preferred because this will facilitate the changing of motion to the 2nd swing. This is as exactly as featured and tutored in chinese by the great skilled and master deceptionist, Zhao Jianhua.
    1. dlp's Avatar
      Yes, you mean tighten the grip on impact, not keep a tight grip.Beyond this you could discuss the importance of the use of body weight transfer and the speed of withdrawal of the racket head on deception. For instance playing a net shot while your body weight is on the way out (back to base) will make your opponent move back expecting a lift. Moving the racket very quickly or exaggerating the withdrawal will again tell your opponent to expect a power shot e.g. lift. Running "past" the shuttle into the net and lifting off your hip area (LinDan, Tauifk etc) makes your opponent expect a net because you are going "in"
    1. LoOpEdd's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by marmoset View Post
      Superb tutorial. Effective deception is a good way of taking the average club player to another level.
      Totaly agree with you