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Mixed doubles tactics

Badminton / Popular

Roles, rotation and positioning in mixed doubles.

What coaches agree on

  • The standard mixed doubles formation puts the man at the back to provide the power and the woman at the front to dominate the net, built around the typical gap in physical power between them.
  • The core mixed doubles game plan is to attack the woman, especially by pushing her to the back court with flicks and clears, since that's where the pair's power gap is easiest to exploit.
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  • Aim serves and rally shots toward the middle, between the two opponents - it cuts down their angles of return and creates confusion over who should take the shot.
  • Call out your shots and serve targets to your partner - which side you're serving, or what you're about to hit - so you're never both covering the same gap or leaving another wide open.

Common mistakes

  • Forcing a full-power smash while out of position or off-balance - most often when the woman has been pushed to the back - tends to backfire, leaving gaps the opponents exploit instead of buying time to reset the formation with a high clear.
How To Defend In Mixed Doubles
Intermediate

How To Defend In Mixed Doubles

Coach's take: One of the best mixed doubles defense breakdowns out there -- specific, well-reasoned, no filler.

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