Any pointers, in terms of technique/stance/footwork on how to defend against smashes hit on your chest area?
These kinda get easy but its all about your grip and racket position. For doubles def have the backhand grip with the racket pointing up with the face about chest height all the time waiting for the smash if you hit the shuttle up. If its hit at chest height, its just a matter of hitting it by moving your forearm in a horizontal movement if that makes sense.
When I mean backhand grip, I mean thumb on flat part of racket like for a backhand serve. It took me a month of practice to get this cause my grip was different but now am pretty good at it. Good luck
if smashes to chest, backhand grip is a better choice. Normally for me, my body will bend backward a little bit and push to the front. Or bend backward a little bit to the side and push cross. i use this when i stand in the middle of the court.
what about when playing doubles? normally if our opponent smash way high up like around your neck, chest..also use the backhand grip? sometimes its not powerful enough though.
So is depends on where we stand. Like double, if we stand in the middle court and the shuttle come to our head or neck, it should be out if the shuttle fast, and if it is slow, the we has time to adjust.
first thing you need to learn how to use your palm. i am uploading to youtube now. Just forehand. back hand will be later.
I find the backhand grip is still great for when shuttle is head height. Racket is pointing up and jus a flick of the wrist is used to hit the shuttle. I only change to forehand grip if shuttle is out far right