Breathing when you hit a hard shot

**visor** · 02-26-2010, 05:21 PM

Just wondering what is the proper way when you hit a hard shot eg. clear/smash. Do you exhale, hold your breath, or inhale then hold at the moment of impact? The last one is what I find works best...although sometimes I'd forget.

**Distanc3** · 02-26-2010, 06:42 PM

I also inhale and hold my breathe =]

**wannaliquorbox** · 02-26-2010, 10:24 PM

exhale as you hit.

**visor** · 02-27-2010, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by wannaliquorbox

exhale as you hit.

That's the thing, I find that I get more power if I inhale, then hold as I hit hard, then exhale after. As Distanc3 mentions.

Kinda like when lifting weights, the breathing is in that pattern too.

**bradmyster** · 02-28-2010, 07:17 PM

its very hard to control your breathing when playing. Most people including me breath in and hold then exhale all subconciously.

Although doing this for all shots really takes a toll on your physical tiredness in a game. Ever wonder why u feel good during the rally then as soon as u stop bang your puffed as hell!?

Because ur holding your breath too much!

**kish-mah-ash** · 03-03-2010, 06:52 PM

sometimes, when i go for a hard shot, either a smash or clear, i would open my mouth , wind up my tongue and belt out a loud "AARRGGHH" or "YYEEAAHH".in those instances,i don't notice whether i'm inhaling or ecxhaling.i could be doingf both at the same time.

**Carbonlist** · 03-03-2010, 10:03 PM

exhale allows you to relax your body, allowing you to achieve a smooth flow of energy into the racquet then bird. 0.02.

**ryim_** · 03-03-2010, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by kish-mah-ash

sometimes, when i go for a hard shot, either a smash or clear, i would open my mouth , wind up my tongue and belt out a loud "AARRGGHH" or "YYEEAAHH".in those instances,i don't notice whether i'm inhaling or ecxhaling.i could be doingf both at the same time.

is this possible...?

**raymond** · 03-03-2010, 11:30 PM

Never pay attention to this. Perhaps I should.

But then I never came across any books, articles, videos or coach
that even lightly mentioned this aspect.

**visor** · 03-04-2010, 12:16 AM

I guess this is something we all do naturally already without thinking about it.

Ie. inhale as we prepare for the shot, then either hold or exhale slightly at the point of impact.

The opposite (ie. exhale first, then hold or inhale at impact) does not feel natural at all.

**Monster** · 03-04-2010, 03:36 AM

Yes, naturally I would inhale and hold. Imagine if you clench your fist really tight and you do arm wrestling, you'd hold your breath too. I think this is natural and this should be the way,

**Yoppy** · 03-04-2010, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by ryim_

is this possible...?

yes, he inhale from the mouth and let go off his "ash"

**kish-mah-ash** · 03-04-2010, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by ryim_

is this possible...?

i don't know, homie.is it possible?

Originally Posted by Yoppy

yes, he inhale from the mouth and let go off his "ash"

have you tried that yohself?

**pickles8768** · 03-04-2010, 06:07 PM

i learned to exhale naturally when hitting while playing tennis, i do it while badminton also, make a difference? idk cuz i never hold my break or inhale when i hit haha.

**Yoppy** · 03-05-2010, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by kish-mah-ash

have you tried that yohself?

No because i dont "wind up my tongue and belt out a loud "AARRGGHH" or "YYEEAAHH".

**Swift Freeze** · 03-13-2010, 07:26 PM

If you have ever had any martial arts training they teach you to exhale with each strike preferrably with vocalization of the focus of your chi.

The theory behind this is that you are focusing your energy externally, as you exhale all the stored energy in your body is released and flows through your body to the point of striking, whether this is smashing a shuttlecock or strking out in self defense.

Therefore exhaling should be the best technique during smashing.

**visor** · 03-13-2010, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Swift Freeze

If you have ever had any martial arts training they teach you to exhale with each strike preferrably with vocalization of the focus of your chi.

The theory behind this is that you are focusing your energy externally, as you exhale all the stored energy in your body is released and flows through your body to the point of striking, whether this is smashing a shuttlecock or strking out in self defense.

Therefore exhaling should be the best technique during smashing.

Good point about vocalization with the strike.

It probably helps to keep the adrenaline flowing and also helps the mind and body to focus on the timing of the strike.

But doesn't that become somewhat distracting to the other players after a while? If you look at Tan-Fook Choong and Wan-Wah Lee's style at the current 2010 AE, they vocalize so much that they even drown out the players on adjacent courts when you look at the videos.

I suppose like in tennis, if you look at the women's side, there are no laws against vocalization/shouting.

I don't know... in all the places that I play badminton, I've never heard anyone shout or vocalize loudly with their shots, so I don't think I'm that courageous to start trying.