Lin Dan's Technique

[paulchow]

I've read quite a few posts where Lin Dan was criticized for have poor technique in both his strokes and his footwork. Following these statements the poster will often explain his speed around the court and general ability to win games by saying he compensates by being incredibly fit and/or strong and/or mentally tough.

Whether or not you agree with the above statements, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the quality of Dan's technique and specifically, if you agree with said statements, exactly what you feel are the flaws in his shot mechanics or footwork.

[Brave_Turtle]

Lin is a counter attack player with an offensive style. He is left handed and often cuts the bird so it's hard for the opponent to predict where he will put the bird.

He also has one of the best cross court jump smash of the circuit, I'd say 75% effective.

I don't think Lin has poor techniques. Of course he doesn't have wide range of shots compared to Taufik has but saying he doesn't have good technique is a bit too much.

It's hard to say what are Lin's weak points as he is almost perfect when he plays well. Against LCW at MO, he really had hard time when LCW would clear in his deep forehand and especially his forehand corner. Against Taufik at WC, Lin couldn't match Taufik at the net.

I'm not a pro but I think that if you want to beat Lin, you have to play a technical game whitout exhausting yourself too much, not too offensive not too defensive. Pin him at the net or in corners. But its always hard to be better technically against a guy that is already technically good and with godly stamina.

[BethuneGuy]

Taufik destroyed Lin Dan at net at WC. I think that was the most crucial factor to his victory. LD was scared to play taufik at net, and Taufik I noticed, dropped a lot in the first game.

[Qidong]

Taufik destroyed Lin Dan at net at WC. I think that was the most crucial factor to his victory. LD was scared to play taufik at net, and Taufik I noticed, dropped a lot in the first game.

Yes, both Taufik and Sony dominated Lin Dan at the net in SC. I'm surprised his net game didn't improve much in WC because his coaches should have noticed that in SC and done something.

[eskey]

[QUOTE=paulchow]I've read quite a few posts where Lin Dan was criticized for have poor technique in both his strokes and his footwork. Following these statements the poster will often explain his speed around the court and general ability to win games by saying he compensates by being incredibly fit and/or strong and/or mentally tough.

[eskey]

I've read quite a few posts where Lin Dan was criticized for have poor technique in both his strokes and his footwork. Following these statements the poster will often explain his speed around the court and general ability to win games by saying he compensates by being incredibly fit and/or strong and/or mentally tough.

Whether or not you agree with the above statements, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the quality of Dan's technique and specifically, if you agree with said statements, exactly what you feel are the flaws in his shot mechanics or footwork.

I don't think Lin Dan has poor technique. If he does, how can he is ranked no 1 now and won many matches/tournaments (regardless of small or big), unless other players that he had beaten are poorer than his He is very very quick in footwork, offensive, aggressive and recovery from defence as well (how many times we've seen him diving all over the courts and yet still get the play on, and sometimes he can re-attacks the opponent as well).

The thing is if we compare him against Taufik for certain strokes/skill, for example, backhand and net play, of course Taufik is better than him, but it doesn't mean Lin Dan has poor technique, it just comparison between "good" and "better", so I think when Taufik meet Lin Dan in the match, he can take advantage/make use his strengh against LD's weakness, that's why LD had very difficult games during last 2 encounters.

So I think, when we do comparison between 2 players, we can say, one is better than the other one for certain area but who will win the match between them, will depend on how they can make use/maximize their strength to exploit the opponent's weekness.

Who knows, next time we'll see Lin Dan as better player on the net and he can challenge Taufik again (esp on net play) when he meet him on court, let's hope for that

[kemana]

I don't think Lin Dan has poor technique. If he does, how can he is ranked no 1 now and won many matches/tournaments (regardless of small or big), unless other players that he had beaten are poorer than his He is very very quick in footwork, offensive, aggressive and recovery from defence as well (how many times we've seen him diving all over the courts and yet still get the play on, and sometimes he can re-attacks the opponent as well).

The thing is if we compare him against Taufik for certain strokes/skill, for example, backhand and net play, of course Taufik is better than him, but it doesn't mean Lin Dan has poor technique, it just comparison between "good" and "better", so I think when Taufik meet Lin Dan in the match, he can take advantage/make use his strengh against LD's weakness, that's why LD had very difficult games during last 2 encounters.

So I think, when we do comparison between 2 players, we can say, one is better than the other one for certain area but who will win the match between them, will depend on how they can make use/maximize their strength to exploit the opponent's weekness.

Who knows, next time we'll see Lin Dan as better player on the net and he can challenge Taufik again (esp on net play) when he meet him on court, let's hope for that

i am more interested in a taufik vs. Lcw game , which maybe will be held in the coming Indo open but i can't see it anyway

[Simp84]

Lin Dan is extremely fast on court... footwork is ok... but fast due to his fitness!
His jump smash is the lethal weapon that he use for winning... however I personally think he is not deceptive enough.. its very predictable when he is about to execute his Jump Smah~ very fancy move I gota admid

[jamesd20]

Lin Dan is extremely fast on court... footwork is ok... but fast due to his fitness!
His jump smash is the lethal weapon that he use for winning... however I personally think he is not deceptive enough.. its very predictable when he is about to execute his Jump Smah~ very fancy move I gota admid

Absolutley right, footwork ok (compared to other top players actually not very good) but main asset is physical capability (agility, power) which allows to mask those weaknesses under most circumstances.

And his weakness is his strokeplay in terms of deception, quality and consistency in his strokes.

[DinkAlot]

Agree with what's been said, this is a very good and informative thread. *thumbs up*

[fast3r]

I don't think Lin Dan has poor technique. If he does, how can he is ranked no 1 now and won many matches/tournaments (regardless of small or big),

BEcause he uses speed and power. His technique is poor compared to other top players. For example, when he goes to the forehand corner, he tends to lean over to the shuttle rather than properly getting behind it.

[Brave_Turtle]

BEcause he uses speed and power. His technique is poor compared to other top players. For example, when he goes to the forehand corner, he tends to lean over to the shuttle rather than properly getting behind it.

Yeah I noticed it too! Thats how LCW got him at Malaysia Open. Players should play his in corners especially in his forehand corner.

He tends to overprotect his backhand nowadays.

[taufik-ist]

most china players, including lin dan, are not well trained at the net

[jamesd20]

Players should play his in corners especially in his forehand corner.

Incidently that is why BCL has a good record against Lin, because his shots are generally well placed into the corners and are quite accurate, exposing his weakness in being able to move completely to corner.

He is very very quick in reaching 3/4 full areas of the court, but his techniques do not allow him to effectivley cover the full court and play good quality strokes.

If you watch a game of his you will see when the shot reach the deep rear court he cannot get behind a shuttle to control the rallies, and likewise in the extreme front of the court.

(Taufik is also guilty of this flaw, but his superior strokeplay covers this for the most part, but again still struggles against BCL)

[eskey]

Incidently that is why BCL has a good record against Lin, because his shots are generally well placed into the corners and are quite accurate, exposing his weakness in being able to move completely to corner.

He is very very quick in reaching 3/4 full areas of the court, but his techniques do not allow him to effectivley cover the full court and play good quality strokes.

If you watch a game of his you will see when the shot reach the deep rear court he cannot get behind a shuttle to control the rallies, and likewise in the extreme front of the court.

(Taufik is also guilty of this flaw, but his superior strokeplay covers this for the most part, but again still struggles against BCL)

What's the record between BCL and LD? I thought LD has better records against BCL

[kemana]

What's the record between BCL and LD? I thought LD has better records against BCL

it's true, LD has better record against BCL

[jamesd20]

Yes BCL does have worst record, but in the first instance LD has worse record, LD claims BCL is his toughest opponent.

BCL has lost his mental grip on LD though