Look at Cai Yun here: -On tip-toes for quick, faster reactions -Knees bending ( same reason as above ) -decent spacing of knees ( same reason as above ) -relaxed ( for more maneuverability ) -Racquet hand always up. ( for quick, faster reactions again )
thats how i am usually, people do look at me weird, but i am better then them anyway! when recieving a smash is your racket still up? I guess if a smash is high I can get to it, but hard to return a low smash when your racket is high?
No, your racket is not up -- unless you anticipate a flat smash. There's more than one ready stance; you have to adapt your position of readiness to the situation.
Here's how to figure out how to stand: Jump up into the air, and land on both feet. Look at where your feet land naturally.
I keep my right foot forward almost all the time, except for serve receive and preparation for smash/clear/half-smash/drops
I tend to keep my feet in a neutral stance, with my feet at the same level, with my racquet moderately up. In preparation for an overhead stroke, my left foot goes forwards in preparation. Knees are always a bit bent.
in terms of stance personally since im right handed my right foot will be slightly infront of my left, knees bent staying low for quick explosive movements, shoulder width apart, facing forward so now turned to one side this way im square and can get shots. I will always be on the balls o my feet and constantly i really mean constantly adjusting myself little movements lots of people look at me weird but then i can always get a shot cause im ready. Racquet is always up because i will be able to react faster weather its returnign a smash or having the oppertunit to cut something off or smash etc. When defending my stance is really low though like literally but all the pervious stuff applies. Anyways there are many different stances you just have to work on being ready and making sure you dont get caught flat footed keep your racquet up so you can get shots, etc.