Hi Guys,
I have a fairly decent smashing technique, I use good forearm rotation to achieve power, however I am a little on the short side!
so now and again I am known to not get much angle on my smash. When I am playing Men's Doubles I very rarely beat an opponent with a smash, even though I think its fast enough and steep enough. Is there a reason for this?
Sometimes I feel as though I advertise where my smash is going. Is there a way to disguise a smash? Are there any strategies/techniques to make a smash more effective?
Thanks
Guys
Hi there,
How do you higher your chances of winning a point from a smash in Men's Doubles?
A player can execute a powerful smash that sounds like thunder or its steepness can make your spine scream every time you want to retrieve it but none of this worth executing if it does not deliver any point to you. A winning smash is a smash that when executed:
- It by itself can deliver you a winning point or
- If still retrievable, it can open an opportunity for you to do the next follow up hit that can deliver a winning point
Since in men's double there are 2 human beings guarding inside your opponent court therefore, as far as if you want to place your smash to an empty space is concern, its quite a difficult task especially if your opponent defense readiness is solid unless your smash placement is surgically accurate. Hence, the strategy in executing a winning smash in double requires
a constant and continuous in court thought process in analyzing of the defense readiness of your opponent, tactical placement and blending it with deception to produce the essence of a winning character.
In general, the winning strategy in double does not means that you need to always smash and having a powerful smash and perform it while playing double also not necessarily can be a winner as well. But what is for sure the advantages to win in double is very high if you can maintain the rhythm of constant offensive towards your opponent and part of that offensive strategy is your smash.
Assuming that your footwork and both smashing preparation and technique is correct, then:
1.
Analyzing of the defense readiness of your opponent
If your opponent defense readiness is well prepared then, smashing hard and continuously to them will just drain your energy out at the end and maybe you can get that point either hoping that they will make a forced error but this is a lethargic way to gain a point. If your opponent is fully prepared to received your smash then plan smartly your offensive tactic to lower their state of defense readiness first. You can execute a drop to one particular area and alternate that with a half smash afterwards in order to maintain that offensive rhythm atv the same cracking your opponent readiness. Once you've manage to peripherally visualize and aware that their state of defense has lower i.e low racket head level, then go for that smash.
2.
Tactical placement
3 important area that you should aim for placement when performing your smash:
- Side line straight smash
If you want to do a smash while your opponent is covering both of their half court then a straight side line smash (esp. the outer line) will make your opponent to exert a much bigger effort to defend your smash as it has a greater distance to retrieve. It also can give you more time to follow up a next offensive hit if its retrievable to your back court.
- Body
If your opponent is a right handed player then smashing accurately to their right shoulder or anywhere near it or left shoulder if he's a left handed will make your body smash a difficult one to retrieve.
- Channel attack
Attacking in between player making them hesitate to whom will retrieve it fearing of racket clash will be one effective way to gain a point.
3.
Deception
Be deceptive in your smash preparation and velocity. Your preparation can be a smash and while at this assumption, your opponent will go deep to the back court preparing to retrieve it but then the hit end up as a drop. You can swing similarly like executing a full pledge powerful smash but changing the racket head angle later at the same swinging speed will end up as a slice instead.
SS
