Keeping it simple

I tihkn it depends on how good your shots are when you keep it simple.

 

What exactly does simple shots mean? Lob, drops, smashes? And what does a simple serve mean?

Please excuse my ignorance.

 

Not sure how do you mean by simple shot. Most of the shots are simple, it depends on how do you force your opponent to project more mistakes than you and exploit them.

If not in a tournament, I would certainly encourage experimenting with shots. To gain yourself experience on what works and what does not. But securing a qualified coach would certainly expedite your learning...

Cheers.

 

There are many terms of simple here.. it depends on how you see it. Professional player so called "simple" shots might not be the same for the beginners "simple" shot. Simple can be just making shots to the opponents court and make sure they will have unforce error.

There is no limit in making simple shots as long as we know our strength and weaknesses in making certain shots. Weather that shot we make will create a counter-attack for our opponent or the shot we make will create a winning point for us.

 

I think the term you are looking for is "safe" shots. Using safe shots will obviously help keep your game consistent, but the idea is to train your "unsafe" shots so that they become "safe" ones.

You have to balance the risks yourself on what shots you use and which you feel comfortable with. And you'll also have to remember that you're not the only one who decides the outcome of the game. Your opponent on the other side may play a very risky game of badminton hitting low-percentage shots for himself.

 

Actually, I think simple shots are a valid strategy for everyone except advanced players.

Particularly with older players, I see that they always try to just get the shuttle back (not using a smash or overly ambitious drop) but they try to place it well.

The reason why you would do this is because you just want to keep the shuttle in play and you force they opponent to make a mistake. If you're playing against those who are impatient, this works pretty often.

But if you're playing against someone who can consistently attack the entire game from different areas of the court, then you're going to lose. However, as I mentioned, there aren't very many people who can do this so if you keep clearing to the opponent's baseline, there's a good chance you can win the game simply because you don't hand any points to the opposition.

 

The old timer whom I play with on Saturdays told me something in line with the topic which I think is very true :

"As long as your replies go over the net, you have every chance to win the point".

Try that super power-rotational-spinning backhand all you like, that cross court deceptive drop or the tumbling net shot; if they end up getting killed or caught at the net, then perhaps simplicity should have been the used.

 

IMHO, it has to do with situation you are in. If you are leading and playing well, why not try a more ambitious shot? I will generally keep things "simple" againts stronger opposition or when I'm trailing in a game.

 

IMHO I think keeping it simple is more akin to playing the "Odds", being patient & working the point rather than going for the outrightr winner.

Why go for the complicated crosscourt drop that's mm over the net when you can just push it into the backhand corner, wait for the weak return & finish it with an easy kill at the net.

Although that example won't always work with stronger players it's all about biding your time, moving the opposition around & out of postion to open up a weakness to win the point.