Hi. Sometimes in a single's situation when you clear to a certain corner of the backcourt, the opponent will make a good smash that is within an inch or two from the line on the same side that you cleared to. Obviously, the best return for this type of smash is a crosscourt net shot because the opponent is forced to run the furthest distance. However, if the smash is extremely accurate down the line, you may not be able to move fast enough over to the side to have enough "leverage" to return it crosscourt - the assumption is, to do any decent cross-court net shot, the shuttle should be closer to your body rather than "further out." In other words, you are so fully stretched out to reach the shuttle, you really don't have any leverage at all to return a crosscourt net shot. In this type of situation where the smash defender is fully stretched out just to reach the smash, I noticed that in Gade vs. Hendrawan in the 2000 Thomas Cup semi-final, both players would usually reply with a net shot to the SAME side. Thus, if the smasher was smashing it from the right corner, you reply with a shot to the right side of the net. Similarly, if the smasher was smashing it from the left corner, you reply with a shot to the left side of the net. This is what I noticed in the Gade vs. Hendrawan match when they were fully stretched to reach the shuttle. However, I rarely notice them clearing it back to the same corner and they usually opted for this net shot to the same side. My question is, what are the advantage/disadvantages of clearing it to the same backcourt corner the smasher smashed it from rather than playing the shuttle to the same side of the net? On average against an average player, what % of replies should one hit to the same backcourt corner from where the smasher came from?
If it is his backhand side, clear it to the same side, he will give a weak backhand return or a strong overhead shot to the same side. If it is his forehand side, try a tight net drop to the same side. Don't worry about him, it is you who needs time to get back into court if you just received a shot near to the sideline going out.
If you have to stretch out as much as you can to return the smash, it is unlikely that you will be able to clear it. If you can clear it try clearing to the same side and the next time clear it to the opposite (but make sure you can clear it to the back). Some people tend to rush to the net after a smash, so even a clear to the forehand will get him off guard. If he does indeed tend to rush, then keep clearing, if not, then drop. It all depends on your opponents style, not a fixed percentage. Just make sure you try every possible return early in the match.
The advantage maybe that he is tired and he may make an error. The disadvantage that he doesn't have to smash and you gave him so much angle that if he has an accurate shot he can basically screw you over and control the court for that rally. If you can return the smash to a pretty distant place, then you most likely won the rally since if any pro puts it to the net as a return, a recovery from a smash is singles is hard since you have to run alot etc.
I think u should ask urself a question, why "set up" for such a good smash. ppl are good at different skills, if u've notice a player is extremely good in particular shot, u should try to avoid the give him such a chance. Such as very good coverage in certain corners or so. If ur opponent is good in smashing (from back court), maybe instead of deep clear, play a little bit net game and take him out of comfortable zone.
If the opponent comes in strongly to the net, clearing back will make him have some hesitancy. However, this still gives the attacking advantage to the opponent If the defensive shot is a good one, the attacking player will have some mental pressure because of being unable to forcefully win the point. That he has to change from an 'attacking' shot to 'defensive' shot may also force a weak reply. As to the average player question, how can you define an 'average player'? The percenatge of flick replies to a smash depends wether it can be performed, the quality of the smash, the speed of the smasher approaching the net....i.e. many different variables. Its frequency of use has to be adjusted to the game at hand.
As pointed out, it really depends on how good your opponent is. Your ability to size up his strengths and weaknesses as early as possible in the first game will determine roughly how you are going to play your game. However, remember the game is dynamic and therefore you will need to adapt and adjust to circumstances and to capitalize on your own strong points whenever possible. If your opponent is an 'average player', you can get away with lots more than against a 'good' player, especially one who possesses a strong smash or who is rather efficient on the overhead strokes. Naturally, against such a player you will try to keep the shuttle low and fast. But you also have to expect the same kind of 'compliments' from your opponent! Why do world class players normally return smashes with a net shot on the same side of the court and not play a cross-court net shot? Percentage play, I suppose. It is easier and safer to return such a shot because a cross-court return takes a longer flight and accuracy thereby allowing your opponent more time and the risk that you may not be able to clear the net. He will not have a chance to repeat another smash unless your return is too high and he anticipated it well with his speed. By countering with this low net reply, you also give yourself a chance to recover better. Imagine if you did a cross-court return instead and your opponent is able to get to it in time and either execute a net drop or a straight push to the backcourt, you too will have to cover a longer distance across the court and if your positioning is not as good as your opponent, you are at a disadvantage! Depending on the position of your opponent, playing a fast clear back to him can sometimes work as an element of surprise. As someone has said, if your opponent likes to charge at the net after his smash, such a reply can do wonders! He will be forced to stop on his tracks after a few such replies from you and you can then take control and 'set-up' opportunities for yourself.
I agree with Loh. While returning the down-the-line smash with a crosscourt block may seem to be the best return because your opponent would have to cover the maximum distance to get to it, there is also a greater chance for error by blocking it the longer distance. Also, the shuttle is in the air a longer time, giving a quick opponent a better chance to reach it and put you in trouble. Returning the smash straight ahead would leave you in a better position for the next shot.
