hitting the sweet spot consistently

**andrew chan** · 06-01-2008, 06:35 PM

hi all, I've been playing a lot lately, and it seems that my shots are all around the sweet spot, but its never directly on the sweet spot, *i know when i hit the sweet spot because it'll have a more solid sound* so i was wondering if there are some exercises i can do to find the sweet spot and hit it more consistently. I can tell I'm close, because theres the bang, but its not a solid bang like when i hit the sweet spot dead on

**CHOcobo** · 06-01-2008, 07:56 PM

the more you practice smashing the easier it'll get for you. formation is also important. using your wrist is also the key.

**andrew chan** · 06-01-2008, 10:30 PM

the swing feels the same everytime i play a smash, but the resultant sound is either bang or a semi bang, and when the semi bang occurs, it seems the smash is more returned more often, leading me to believe that i have to find a way to consistently hit the sweet spot so i can have a large bang, and have a less easily returned smash

**Gollum** · 06-02-2008, 03:53 AM

Every time you do a good smash, take a moment to remember how that one felt, and what you did. Then try to reproduce it.

This works much better in practice than in games, of course...

**h4n5ip** · 06-02-2008, 04:08 AM

One word to say.
PRACTICE
If you have correct technique and lots of practice the bang sound will come more often than your semi bang.

**andrew chan** · 06-02-2008, 09:37 AM

lol, guess i need more practice, but it the swing feels the same, but the impact is a lot different, guess i should tape myself if i have time.

**CHOcobo** · 06-02-2008, 06:49 PM

lol don't waste your time taping. your hand movement will be too fast to watch. spend those watching time practicing instead. practice practice practice. try new things as well.

**andrew chan** · 06-02-2008, 09:28 PM

arite, thanks, is there another way except only judging by feel?

**CHOcobo** · 06-02-2008, 11:08 PM

im trying to learn this too as well. right now i'm just trying to consistantly use my body weight to help smash. like turning my hip, using my elbow and arms and my wrist while smashing. it's pretty hard times. especially when i can only do this at home.

**andrew chan** · 06-04-2008, 07:51 PM

well its not only the smash im concerned about, when i clear and i hear that really solid sound, i feel the pressure on my opponent increase simply because the shot travels that much faster, and i would like to be able to do this consistently, so i can win more xD.

**yinsoon** · 06-04-2008, 09:48 PM

i agree that practising is vital. some things to look out for when you are practising might be how your wrist is cocked, the position of your body - especially where you shoulder is, how far back it is, and how high it is raised - and the timing of your shots. (these are just some that work for me)

for myself, i know if i have my last two fingers firmly round the end of my grip, wrist cocked back, shoulder on an angle back and my back upright, and time my shot, i know i'd get a good smash/clear in. that said, i'm not aware of all the things at the time, but its just a collective observation over time - like gollum said about taking a moment and remembering how it felt -

Having worked out some of the stuff above, am ussually able to pinpoint whether i've missed one of those points, e.g. if i was taking a flick serve, my fingers wont be in position; if i am exhausted my back isnt straight up and is bent; or if the timing is off, then i wont be able to execute it properly.

In a game situation you would be in all kinds of positions, so there would be lots of observing to do as there would be different things to look out for if you were trying to do an overhead smash, or a forehand smash where your hand has to extend outwards etc.

hope this helps *cheers*

**taneepak** · 06-04-2008, 10:14 PM

Just hitting the sweetspot is not good enough. The timing and appropriate power delivery must be part of it. Wrong timing + hitting the sweetspot gets you nowhere.

**andrew chan** · 06-04-2008, 10:29 PM

thanks for the helpful advice guys, will do. I guess i have to watch how i hit more, any drills to help with timing/power delivery?

**CHOcobo** · 06-04-2008, 11:21 PM

oh yea forgot one more thing. always try to hit the bird when it's in front of you, not above you. so hit it at the 11 O'clock mark from your body. this way you get more power.

**yinsoon** · 06-05-2008, 08:32 AM

If you have a high flat wall, you might be able to try hitting a shuttle against it using clears (as opposed to underhand shots which are much easier). U'll prolly want to hit it at a slightly upward angle. Tho it might not help with 'smashing' per se, it will certainly speed up the rate your shoulder rotates/racket recovers in time for the next shot. The faster you are able to 'reset' your start position the more than you chance in actual game scenario to play the shot properly as are less likely to be caught halfway recovering from a previous shot.

U'd have to expend quite abit of energy methinks. Anyone else tried this?
I always have a problem finding nice high flat walls lol...

Hope this helps ^^

**andrew chan** · 06-05-2008, 03:26 PM

lol, i live in toronto, so i could always hit the CN Tower xD, but wouldn't ur neck hurt from having to look up so much?

**BlankShot** · 06-05-2008, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by andrew chan

lol, i live in toronto, so i could always hit the CN Tower xD, but wouldn't ur neck hurt from having to look up so much?

Unfortunately, the CN Tower at the base is slanted, so it wouldn't be very efficient to hit it up against it. As well, as the area is surrounded by tall buildings, you'll have random gusts of wind steal your birds away from you. And yes, it will hurt your neck.

:P