Short lift to mid court, what does front player do in doubles?

**Capnx** · 01-23-2012, 09:32 AM

If ur partner is attacking from the back and ur in the front court and the opponent makes a short lift to mid court, how should you as the front player position yourself?
1) take a couple steps back and smash?
2) let your partner take it and move to the other side of the court (either left/right or rotate to back court)?
3) stay as the front court player (stay where u are) or move slightly further front to give ur partner more room in the back?
4) others (please explain)

**|_Footwork_|** · 01-23-2012, 09:42 AM

usual answer: it depends...

if you can't get the shuttle comfortably, get away, let your partner smash and let him follow through. if your partner's to far away, take a step back and smash it and your partner will go to the net.

if there's a short lift, you usually rotate, no matter if your partner smashes or you smash.

**amleto** · 01-23-2012, 11:11 AM

if partner is close, front person moves sideways most times to get out of the way, then proceed to take the rear court.

**urameatball** · 01-23-2012, 11:20 AM

you decide, your partner will react accordingly by watching your movements.
But decide quickly... if you hesitate or change your mind, either you'll clash or let the bird drop to the ground, LOL.

mid court lifts to n00bs is like watching bumper cars

**Nauroa** · 01-23-2012, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by amleto

if partner is close, front person moves sideways most times to get out of the way, then proceed to take the rear court.

This is what I would do as well. But both you and your partner have to know this, since your partner will need to proceed forward to cover the net after the smash.

**visor** · 01-23-2012, 03:15 PM

As urameatball says, the front player always decides... hopefully very quickly. Reason is he can't see behind him to know where the rear player is. On the other hand, the rear player has a better view and more time to react in case the front decides not to take the shot.

**shooting stroke** · 01-23-2012, 07:38 PM

When the above scenario occur ( a mid court lift / half court lift by your opponent that both front court player and his partner has equal opportunity to hit),then as mention here by our BC colleague, it is the front player who will decide the outcome from such scenario. The reason why, visor has explained very well here.

UNLESS the front court player does not want to take it, then he needs to address to his partner to make the hit quickly and at the same time move to any area opposite to the trajectory of the birdie to make convenient space for his partner to do the hit.

**moomoo** · 01-25-2012, 08:28 PM

if you're in an attacking position as you mentioned, the player at the back should have an advantage to smash compared to the front player since he's jumping forward and smashing downwards rather than you back paddle-ing UNLESS you can jump and intercept to take it quickly without moving backwards.

an mentioned, you need to decide pretty quick and you need to know your reach otherwise your jump will just block your partner's smash/response.

**vinod81** · 01-25-2012, 08:53 PM

The front player should always keep a mental image of the back player's position. The clues are sound of foot steps, the direction of the last return from the back court etc.

Then the front player has to make a quick decision WHO can make the better shot.

I have noticed many beginners as a front player evaluates only whether he/she can return the shot and then go for it.

**a|extan** · 01-26-2012, 01:33 AM

depends

on situation

whoever is in a better position or likely to have a beta reply of stroke to opponent will do the work

basically must see whats the common understanding with your partner.