Technique fundamentals

Grips

Use the forehand grip ("shake hands") for forehand and overhead shots and the thumb grip for backhands; hold loosely and squeeze at contact. The next chapter, Grips & shots, covers every grip, which one to use in each part of the court, and how to change quickly.

Ready position and split step

Feet slightly wider than shoulders, knees bent, weight on the balls of the feet, racket up in front. As your opponent hits, make a small hop (the split step) so you land just as they make contact, loaded and ready to push off in any direction. See Ready position.

Footwork principles

• Return to a base near the centre after every shot, adjusted towards where you sent the shuttle.
• The racket-side foot leads into front-court lunges (the right foot for right-handers).
• Turn side-on early to move backwards; get behind the shuttle for overheads.
• Linking steps: chassé (step-close-step), cross-steps, scissor kicks for rear-court recovery.
• Full library: Footwork encyclopedia.

The families of strokes

Family	Examples	Purpose
Overhead	Clear, Drop, Smash	Move the opponent back, draw them forward, or attack downwards
Net	Net shot, Net kill, Lift	Force a lift, finish loose shuttles, or buy time
Midcourt	Drive, Block, Push	Flat exchanges, defence, placing into gaps
Serve	Low, High, Flick	Start the rally without giving an easy attack

Deception

Good players prepare every overhead shot the same way, so the opponent cannot tell clear from drop from smash until the last moment. Deception is built on consistent preparation and late changes of racket speed or angle, so it comes after solid basics.

Full technique pages with videos: Shots & strokes.