the problem i face is that the shuttle has usually crossed a foot ahead of the net(observed this in my game yesterday). eventhough the shuttle is now above the net, the downward motion pushes it down into the net. my Q is if i have already lunged for a net kill, is there any alternative shot to paly instead of net kill
You cannot smash or use any backswing, which will cause it to go into the net or go flat out towards the back line. Use the dab, with a shorter grip if possible to give you more angle options and to minimize backswing. The feet should place the body neither too close to nor too far from the shuttle. As I said, there is no time for backswing. The forearm pushes forward some 9" and the wrist is uncocked (very, very important) sufficiently to angle the shuttle sharply down over the net. Angle is more impportant than speed. There should be no follow-through. You can also use the backhand if appropriate.
To master this dab stroke you need to have drills. Some coaches drill players for two hours non-stop on just this stroke, forehand and backhand.
Last night, Singapore's Asia news channel showed a 1/2 hour story of Malaysia's famous Sidek brothers and Malaysia's two current coaches, coach Cheah Soong Kit and chief coach Yap Kim Hock, in which Yap Kim Hock shared with viewers on how to use the shorter grip with wrist to gain more angle options.