Shots & strokes · Defence & drives · Intermediate · ~6 min
Defensive lift (long defence)
Returning a smash or fast drop high and deep to the rear court to reset the rally.
▶ How To Defend A Powerful Smash In Badminton (6 Steps) — Badminton Insight (YouTube)
More videos: Badminton Double Defence: How to play a long defence in doubles (Tobias Wadenka) · BADMINTON TECHNIQUE #12 - FOREHAND - DEFENSIVE LIFT (Shuttle Life)
Prescription3 × 20 shuttles · rest 1 min
EquipmentRacket, Shuttles, Badminton court
ImpactLow
FormatNeeds feeder
Tactical use & trade-offs
Gives maximum recovery time but hands the attack back. Deep, high lifts are harder to attack steeply; short ones are punished. Mix with blocks to move the attacker.
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. / Forehand grip: shake hands with the handle, the V between thumb and index finger on the top-left bevel, fingers relaxed and slightly spread. |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Defensive stance, racket low-in-front. |
| Contact point | In front, waist height or lower. |
| Racket face | Open, angled up. |
| Swing | Compact swing with strong forearm/finger power to send it high and deep. |
| Body & footwork | Low; push from the legs. |
| Follow-through | Racket upward toward the target; return to the defensive stance. |
Coaching cues
- Short swing, high and deep
Common errors
- Lift landing midcourt
- Long backswing (late)
Practice
On your own: Shadow compact backhand and forehand lifts.
With a partner: Feeder smashes from midcourt; player lifts deep. Alternate with blocks.
Volume: 3 × 15 shuttles.
Safety
- Stop if you feel sharp pain, dizziness, chest pain or unusual breathlessness.