November 5, 2025 | Coach Rajesh Menon
1. Perfect Your Footwork
Great smashes start from the ground up. Your footwork determines your body position and timing. Practice the scissor-kick or jump-smash technique to generate maximum power. Always position yourself behind the shuttle, allowing for full arm extension at contact.
2. Use Your Non-Racket Arm
Your non-racket arm isn't just along for the ride. Point it towards the shuttle as you prepare to smash - this helps with balance, rotation, and timing. As you swing, pull this arm down forcefully to increase rotation speed and power.
3. Rotate Your Body
Power comes from rotation, not just arm strength. Turn your shoulders and hips away from the net as you prepare, then explosively rotate through the shot. This sequential rotation from legs → hips → shoulders → arm generates maximum velocity.
4. Contact Point is Critical
Hit the shuttle at the highest point possible with your arm fully extended. The contact should be slightly in front of your body. Practicing shadow smashes can help you find and memorize this optimal contact point.
5. Follow Through Completely
Don't stop your swing at contact. A full follow-through across your body ensures maximum power transfer and helps with recovery for the next shot. Your racket should finish near your opposite hip.
Practice Drills
To develop these elements, try these drills:
- Shadow smashing for 2 minutes daily focusing on form
- Multi-shuttle smash practice with a feeder
- Smash-drop combinations to develop control
- Video analysis of your technique compared to professionals
Remember, developing a powerful smash takes consistent practice. Focus on technique first, and power will follow naturally. If you need personalized guidance, our coaches at CSA are here to help!
