Often tend to get frustrated from attacking from rear of the court, as I sometimes struggle to hit winners or get my partner at the front, involved for an easy put away. The front court partner gets involved but can’t end the rally. My smashes are not the powerful but I like to place them in difficult position or get a weak lift, that partner can finish easily at the front. So what I’m asking is where do concentrate my attack. I tried drop shots as well.
Getting a weak reply isn't just about power but more about placement. A weak smash to the racket hand hip or shoulder is typically better than a hard smash at the non racket knee. Also, read your opponents, pick on the weaker player.
I think patience is the key, especially if you say that your attacking play is not particularly efficient. As long as you keep the attack and don't allow counter-attacks, your must just stay patient. Take a look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiI6rrq83Uk Markis Kido is extremely efficient from the rear court, but in this rally, his smashes kept comming back. He remained patient and kept the attack and eventually won the rally. It's normal for your smashes to come back when your opponents have good defenses. Just stay patient and good things will happen. Good luck. Mathieu
Yep, you shouldn't really be expecting to hit winners from the back of the court, and even getting a weak reply may take a few tries. It's true that placement is important, but you do need power as well - it doesn't matter how accurate your smash is, it still needs to be hit pretty hard to be effective - especially in doubles. Similarly, variety is good (varying smash placement/speed; mixing in drops; etc), but *most of the time* if the shuttle is high, you should be smashing (hard). Don't abandon the smash just because the last one or two came back. As long as you're maintaining the attack, there's no reason to get frustrated - just keep plugging away. Having said that, if your opponents are the kind of ultra-defensive players who just like to keep the shuttle in play and count on you making a mistake, then you can just keep cool and play the percentage shots - if you can maintain the attack without having to take too many risks or exert yourself too much, then you're sure to win out eventually.
Agree with Sketchy, Smash from the back require power. Without enough power it will always get back. Beside longer range, angle is also reduced. Jump smash is a way to make steep angle.
No doubting that a hard smash is a powerful weapon but if someone was smashing hard at me at easy to reach places I can return them all day long. Catch me off guard by hitting a soft smash at a my right side hip/elbow and it's not as constant a return. Angle, placement... etc. are more effective than just mindlessly banging away at a shuttle, especially at a higher level of play.
To pick up on what others have said, aiming between your two opponents (down the middle of the court, but closer to the straight defender than the cross defender) is an excellent way of bringing the front court player into the game Some power is important, placement is most important, and variations in speed/angle/direction are the key to breaking down an opponents defence. Even putting the shuttle in a good place, with power, is not enough to win a rally if you are doing the same thing every time - they will get used to it! Use some slices, uses some deceptive drops, use some punch clears (occasionally) and use some three quarter strength smashes. This should help break down your opponents defences. Excellent advice from everyone so far.
Yes, thanks guys for your good feedback. As people mentioined getting winners from the back does require variety of smashes but also I think the front court players can make a big differance, as some are not that good and allow shuttles to pass them when they could have made some interceptions and end the rally, so more hard work for rear court players. At the moment I'm playing with Arc 10 but thinking of getting 900 Technique, which I had before but sold it, to get more power. Also I sometimes I tend to be disheartend if my smashes are driven/whipped cross court, then I fall back on drop shots and attacking clears.
So let me summarize. Here are the keywords: placement, angle, power, aim at the racket shoulder/hip, variety (of speed, placement, and angle). Let me just add one more. I'm assuming this is doubles, right? Smash at the middle to create an angle of return that would help your front player partner to intercept or make a kill. Smashing at the middle could also confuse your opponents which one should take the shot.
venkatesh - that is a great suggestion. I think I mentioned that briefly above. Down the middle is definitely a good choice
