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Defense (lift)

Badminton / Popular

Defend hard attacks by lifting high and deep under pressure.

What coaches agree on

  • Generate the lift's power mainly through forearm rotation and a squeeze of your fingers and thumb right at the point of contact, keeping the rest of the arm and shoulder relaxed.
  • Stay loose and relaxed in your grip and body while you wait and prepare, tightening only as you make contact with the shuttle.
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  • Prioritise accuracy and depth over raw power — a good lift lands deep in the back corners of the court.
  • The lift can take a longer, fuller follow-through than most defensive shots, since you have more time to recover before the return comes back.

Common mistakes

  • Letting your weight fall back onto your heels while lifting, instead of staying forward on the balls of your feet, kills your racket acceleration and leads to mistimed, weak lifts.
  • Preparing with the racket arm either fully outstretched or tucked in tight against the body wastes the time and space needed to react to the incoming shot.
How To Defend In Mixed Doubles
Intermediate

How To Defend In Mixed Doubles

Coach's take: Properly deep mixed-doubles defence - four scenarios with who-takes-what plus real attacking patterns. Coach-level stuff, not a quick tip.

2.7
The 6 BEST Return Of Serves In Singles
Beginner

The 6 BEST Return Of Serves In Singles

Coach's take: Data-driven return guide - lift is the bread-and-butter off a low serve, straight drop off the flick. Tiered by level, well reasoned.

2.0