To all the experts, What is your most effective half smash? I check the previous thread, someone suggested slicing the bird. In my mind, a half smash is like a normal smash, perhaps with half the strength. Why should slicing be more effective that that?
A sliced shot is more deceptive, since it changes the angle of the smash. Slicing can also cause the shuttle to lose pace more rapidly than a flat hit, and therefore fall further in front of the opponent. Finally, slicing is a good way to perform a smash when the shuttle is behind you: you just reach back and "clip" the shuttle downwards. You can do this at almost full stretch, with a flick of the forearm. Use the wrist to control the direction. You can do this without slice too. Don't expect powerful smashes with this method. It's more a "fast fast drop", but it may well surprise your opponent.
Half smashes are intended to try to surprise your opponents out of position. Its not slicing the bird, its actually smashing with lower force half court. If you watch Kim Dong Moon, he is the master of doing this, resulting in his opponents hitting the bird half court for a easier kill.
chicken smash. Its all in the wrist work. Just act as if you are going to give a big hit but use less strength on your wrist while it is on impact. That will confuse your opponents. This is what we call locally, chicken smash. It is effective if you are a powerful smasher. /.../ rgds Joe
