Like they can net kill, net drive, pretty much any thing shots in the front. What do you do in such situation or are you forced to playing a lifting/rear court game and taking the defense ?
I usually dominate the net, that's one of my strengths. So what should you do against me in singles? Play a lot of deep clears (as my offense is not that good...) and try to attack yourself. If you're opponent dominates you at the net AND in the back, well, you know the answer...;-)
for singles: if you already know your opponent is good in the net, do not drag your battle on the net. stick to the basic, tire and make your opponent out of position hit it to the back, then to the front (usually a drop). to the back (most likely a lift) and to the front rule of thumb: hit it to the back of your opponent backhand side, and hit it to the front the other way. for example: if your opp right handed, hit it to the back left of opponent, and then hit it to the front right of opponent. wait until your opponent make a mistake and smash.
I would either play the shuttle away from him at the net, or lift to his backhand rearcourt when they are on defense so he is drawn outside his "domain".
If they are good at the net, then you should employ a "neutral net shot" or "push" i.e. do not play the shuttle close to the net, play it firmer back into court. In this way, your opponent will not be able to take shots from close to the net, and should not be able to dominate in the same way. This goes for doubles (push) and singles (neutral net shot).
there's no such thing as a clear in doubles! whoever dominates the net will win. (this is true for non-beginners, beginners/low-level games might be won by clearing...)
It is obvious that your opponent's skill is better than you, it is only natural that better player win.
I am also more of a front/net player in doubles n u don't want to 'draw' me to the net (ie drops to my side of the court). Try to push or return to sidelines n mid-court if u can. U don't want to 'play' netting w/ me because my netshots are so close that the feathers often barely touch the net on going over to your side. He..he..he..
Better at the net, not the back. They can't smash or clear well for whatever reasons but they have a partner who can. And the problem is if the strong net player plays the front and his/her partner plays the back, it's so difficult to move them out of position. (well at least for me to move them; I don't know how in such scenario><)
Thanks! I will try pushing more (to get it past them, but when you say push am I pushing to the midcourt just enough where it gets past the strong net player but not far enough where his/her partner can attack?) . Where do I push it to? And can you tell me what a neutral net shot is? I don't know the different types yet.
You want to neutralize their strength - the net. Avoid attempting tight net, as so many already pointed out. If you are to block, block the shot deeper into the court is fine, as long as it is flat and faster - no floaters around the net. A neutral net shot is one that is not meant to create an advantage with tightness. The shot is flat, and if not intercept, would likely land on the service line. You're not gaining advantage, but neither can your net opponent. If you're to push, you can push to mid-court, or rear-court, as variations, and depend on strength/weakness of each of your opponents, as well as the gap they left between them. Also, you may add your own aggression at net. Practice and use net kill and brushes - don't let them play tight net either.
You have options! A push in doubles could mean pushing to the midcourt (but softly) - this keeps the shuttle low, aim towards the tramlines (or hit it down the middle at your opponents partner if you are feeling very confident), and your goal is to ensure that the shot is not slow. The neutral net shot is typically played such that it lands on about the service line - it is like a very soft push. It travels low, and flat, but is not tight to the net in any way, but is still a net shot, because you played it to the forecourt.
My take on these kind of things is that you need to challenge your opponent. There are of course times when you have to back out of them, but you can't expect to win if you don't try to challenge. As soon as they start playing well at the net then the chances of you lifting is big which means they don't really have to worry about covering the net so much. Here's a tip. A mistake many do who play both singles and doubles is that they apply singles technique for doubles as well. If we are talking singles, a net shot is very often done from underneath. The results of this is that the shuttle goes upwards and then downwards. What you want to do at the net in doubles is not from underneath but that you play it flat downwards. In Japan, we call this 'short drive' where you gently push the shuttle forward so it goes flat over the net and then down straight away. Remember to use your body for preciser and more stable shots as well. By putting your body into good use and not just your arm, you can take shuttles much earlier than you would if you just used your arm. By standing still and waiting for the shuttle is pretty much a no-no in doubles. You have to meet the shuttle early. This is also one of those things that is different compared to singles.
Thanks! I've tried the push and it worked wonderfully. They are usually caught off guard .. but later they caught on.. But nonethe less the advice helped put the opponents at the loss.
I see! Thanks for clarifying. The reasons a neutral net drop or push would work against a strong net player is only when they are caught off guard correct? If they anticipate that too and start reaching them, then we have to change tactics correct?
To put it in simpler words (the technique itself), put your hand with the face of your palm forward (in singles, the palm would be turned upwards). This is how you want your racket to be at the net in doubles. Also, if you happen to find yourself in the position of not being able to meet the shuttle early, lower your body (as in lowering your stance with the help of your lower back). This should help you avoiding taking the shuttle from underneath.
