How do you eliminate possibilities of a counter attack from jump smash? Every time I jump smash, I get easily beat by a straight block, crosscourt block, and cross court drive. what are the things that I have to improve to make my jump smash harder to defense?
Steeper angle, harder smash. Make sure you are contacting the shuttle on your way down from the jump so you have more time to recover. Don't jump smash if your being moved around.
only jump smash when you have absolute advantage. strategically speaking there should be two kinds of jump smashes, the hard smash that you put everything into it in order to end the rally, and the steeper/fast/great angle smash that creates an opportunity for you next shot. in singles (assuming this is what we're talking about), a lot of times is more about shot placement and not how hard you can hit it.
Make sure you are balanced before you go for the big hit, if you aren't balanced the opponent will use it against you. Sometimes the most effective smashes don't need a jump to get power, just step through it. And don't smash at them if they are balanced, get them running for it.
If singles, you have to aim better for the side lines, racket hip etc. If doubles, you can vary the angle and pace a bit, perhaps even a fake smash drop. Aim down centre if possible. And always towards weaker player.
Performing a jump smash requires a lot of physical energy and mental precision. Therefore, to make it worth the effort, your objective whenever you want to perform such shot, ONLY do a jump smash when the opportunity for it to be a winning shot by itself or as to create an opportunity for a winning shot later is clearly visible. By adhering to this ( assuming your technique and approach when performing a jump smash is correct) , your jump smash will be very effective and even if your opponent is able to retrieve it, it is likely the return will open an opportunity for you to follow up with a kill. To make such effort more lethal, at the moment when the opportunity to do a jumping smash comes, glance peripherally where is your opponent stance is position and place your smash at the furthest area from where he is standing ( sidelines if his stance is at the center of the court etc). If you don't have the physicality, its better to emphasize on placement rather than power, but if you have the physicality to do a powerful smash, then combining it with a surgical precision of placement beyond your opponent reach and at the right opportunity, then, your jumping smash is DEADLY. Remember this equation (by priority): Effective jumping smash = 1. Correct timing (opportunity) + 2. correct placement Deadly jumping smash = 1. Correct timing (opportunity) + 2. correct placement + 3. powerful Always train yourself by doing numerous jumping smash drill since conquering such shot an effective level will be no value by just knowing it's theory without proper application.
