Footwork drills · Rear court · Intermediate · ~3 min
Scissor kick
Switching legs in the air during an overhead stroke turns backward momentum into forward momentum, so you recover faster.
▶ How To Do A Scissor Kick - Step-By-Step Tutorial — Badminton Insight (YouTube)
More videos: 4 Steps to Learning/Teaching the SCISSOR KICK! (Prairie Badminton) · Badminton - Scissor Kick Drill - Stages 3 and 4 (Teach PE)
Prescription3 × 6 reps · rest 1 min
EquipmentNo equipment
ImpactHigh
FormatSolo
Starting position
Side-on in the rear forehand corner, weight on the right (back) leg.
Movement sequence
- Push off the right leg into a small jump as you start the stroke.
- In the air, the right leg swings forward and the left leg goes back (the "scissor").
- Land on the left foot then the right, body rotated to face the net.
- Use that landing to push forward to base.
Recovery
Forward to base immediately from the landing.
Technique cues
- Hips and legs rotate with the swing
- Land soft and move forward
Common mistakes
- Landing on both feet together
- Jumping too high
- Landing stiff
Easier
Step-through (no jump): rotate and step the right leg forward on the stroke.
Harder
Jump scissor kick with smash.
Safety
- High impact: needs solid landing mechanics (see Drop and stick landing).
- Stop if you feel sharp pain, dizziness, chest pain or unusual breathlessness.