Do you consciously try to hit near the top of the racket (sweet spot)?

Always. I aim for contact at 4th to 7th cross strings.

 

I'm new to badminton but isn't the sweetspot where the longest main and longest cross string meet (widest part of the rackethead)?

 

If you watch pros play, they hit where I mention.

In tennis, they hit where you mention (longest cross and main) because of the significant ball mass and that's where the power is.

But in badminton, speed is more critical because the shuttle is very light comparatively, so a longer lever magnifies the racket speed. Hence, hitting it 2-4 inches higher produces better speed.

 

is this the spot?

 

Borrowing from [MENTION=60652]vajrasattva[/MENTION], the sweetspot is the oval, but the best area is the blue area.

 

does it matter if I am smashing as oppose to clearing or driving?

 

I hit the shuttle mainly in the area where the blue and grey space meet in the picture. (at least, that's where my string wear out and break...)

Of course I don't consciously try to hit the shuttle there, but that happens automatically.

 

Anytime possible try to hit that spot.

Gives the best combo of reach and repulsion/power.

 

You hit the first 2 crosses and you'll be looking for a string job.

 

I don't know if I consciously think about that spot during play. But over time, as my timing and swing gets better I tend to hit it more because that's what gives me the best shot. I can see it wearing my strings in that spot.
I can't say doing one or the other is better, but if I just try to generate good shots, I can concentrate more on strategy and placement etc, which is more effective for me than just hard smashes/shots.

 

absolutely agree. I have played for 8 years and taken 8 years to find it out. I ask many people about this spot. no one know. it increase 50% power for smash, clear, my level also...hiii. some material said its dead spot

 

if i hit that upper sweetspot i get looks like i mishit or had a frameshot

i noticed too that it happens that shots are great when i actually didnt hit it as usual


but it happens rarely and i dont actually try to hit at that spot..its more like indeed a mishit

 

when i was in high school i tend to see most wear and tear in the middle of the stringbed. nowadays, i see most wear and tear near the top of the sweetspot.

 

the north of vietnam near hanoi, people tend to hit sweetspot because its easy and it make sound good, but deadspot does not make good sound, but amazing porwer. incredible power