Shots & strokes · Defence & drives · Beginner · ~5 min
Backhand drive
A flat, fast shot on the backhand side, the most common stroke in midcourt doubles exchanges.
▶ How To Perfect Your Backhand Drive - A step-by-step tutorial! — Badminton Insight (YouTube)
More videos: Badminton Tutorial - Learn The Backhand Drive (Shuttle Life) · Learn two types of backhand drive | Basic Feather & Morten Frost | Badminton tutorial (Basicfeather)
Prescription4 × 45 s · rest 45 s
EquipmentRacket, Shuttles, Badminton court
ImpactLow
FormatNeeds feeder
Tactical use & trade-offs
Backhand covers the body and left side quickly. Keep it flat; a rising drive is attackable.
Technique
| Grip | Backhand grip: from the forehand grip, turn slightly and place the pad of the thumb flat on the wide back bevel (thumb grip). Relaxed until contact. |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Racket in front on the backhand side, elbow slightly up and forward. |
| Contact point | In front of the body on the left side. |
| Racket face | Flat, square to the target. |
| Swing | Short swing powered by forearm supination and thumb push. |
| Body & footwork | Square or slight step with the right foot across. |
| Follow-through | Short; return to the ready position. |
Coaching cues
- Thumb push
- Elbow leads, short swing
Common errors
- Elbow tucked into the body
- Big swing
Practice
On your own: Wall rally on the backhand (3 × 45 s).
With a partner: Drive rally: one plays backhand only, the other forehand only, then swap.
Volume: 3–4 × 30–60 s rallies.
Safety
- Stop if you feel sharp pain, dizziness, chest pain or unusual breathlessness.