A badminton clear shot is one of the most useful techniques for controlling rallies, pushing your opponent towards the back of the court and creating opportunities to attack. Whether you are playing singles or doubles, learning how to execute a forehand and backhand clear can help you improve your court coverage, shot accuracy and overall game.
The key to a good badminton clear is not just hitting the shuttlecock high and far. You need the right grip, body positioning, racket movement and timing to send the shuttle deep into your opponent’s court. In this guide, we will explain the badminton clear shot technique, including how to play forehand and backhand clears, common mistakes to avoid and drills to improve your accuracy and power.
What is a Clear Shot in Badminton?
A clear shot in badminton is a stroke that sends the shuttlecock high and deep towards the opponent’s backcourt. It is generally played from the rear or middle of the court, giving the shuttle enough height and distance to travel over the opponent and land near the back boundary line.
Players use clear shots to move their opponents away from the net, regain a better position during a rally and create space for their next shot. Depending on its trajectory and purpose, a clear can be defensive or attacking.
A defensive clear follows a high, long trajectory, giving the player time to recover and prepare for the next shot. An attacking clear travels faster and flatter, aiming to reach the backcourt quickly and limit the opponent’s reaction time.
Types of Clear Shots in Badminton
There are two main types of badminton clear shots based on their trajectory.
1. High Clear
A high clear travels in a high arc and lands deep in the opponent’s backcourt. It gives the player more time to recover after hitting the shuttle and is particularly useful when under pressure.
High clears are commonly used in singles to move the opponent from the frontcourt to the rear court. However, hitting the shuttle too short can allow the opponent to attack, so proper distance and placement are important.
2. Attacking Clear
An attacking clear travels faster and flatter than a high clear while still passing over the opponent. Its lower trajectory reduces the time available for the opponent to prepare for the return.
This shot is useful when the opponent is positioned too far forward or is slow to recover towards the backcourt. However, it requires good timing and control because a clear that is too flat may be intercepted or attacked.
Forehand Clear Shot Technique in Badminton
The forehand clear is a fundamental badminton stroke used to send the shuttle deep into the opponent’s court from the forehand side. It is commonly played when the shuttle is above the player’s head or slightly to the side of the hitting shoulder. Follow these steps to perform a forehand clear correctly.
Step 1: Use the Correct Grip
Hold the racket using a relaxed forehand grip, similar to shaking hands with the racket handle. Place your fingers comfortably around the handle, keeping your thumb and index finger relaxed enough to allow controlled movement.
Avoid gripping the racket too tightly throughout the shot. A relaxed grip allows you to accelerate the racket and tighten your fingers briefly at impact for better power.
Step 2: Get into Position
Move quickly behind the shuttle so you can strike it from a balanced position. Turn your body sideways to the net, with your non-racket shoulder facing towards the shuttle’s direction of travel.
Keep your knees slightly bent and your weight balanced. If you have enough time, position yourself so the shuttle is slightly in front of your hitting shoulder at contact.
Step 3: Prepare the Racket
Raise your racket arm and bend your elbow, bringing the racket behind your head. Keep your non-racket arm raised to help with balance, judge the shuttle’s flight and coordinate your body movement.
Your body should be turned sideways rather than facing the net directly. This position helps you use your shoulder and trunk rotation to generate power.
Step 4: Swing and Contact the Shuttle
Rotate your body towards the net while bringing your racket arm forward and upward. Extend your elbow and accelerate the racket towards the shuttle.
Contact the shuttle at a high point, preferably in front of your body. Use a combination of shoulder rotation, elbow extension, forearm rotation and finger action to generate power.
Aim to strike the shuttle cleanly rather than relying entirely on arm strength.
Step 5: Follow Through and Recover
Allow your racket to continue its natural movement after contact. Regain your balance and return towards your base position, ready for the opponent’s next shot.
A quick recovery is just as important as the clear itself because it helps you respond to drops, smashes and other returns.
Backhand Clear Shot Technique in Badminton
The backhand clear is generally more challenging than the forehand clear because it requires precise timing, finger power and efficient racket movement. It is used when the shuttle travels towards the non-racket side, particularly in the rear court.
A backhand clear can help you return a difficult shuttle without turning around to play a forehand. However, reaching the shuttle early and maintaining the correct body position are essential.
Step 1: Use the Backhand Grip
Start with a backhand grip that allows your thumb to press against the wider bevel or flat surface of the racket handle, depending on your grip variation.
Keep your fingers relaxed and your wrist comfortable. The thumb helps support and control the racket, while the fingers contribute to acceleration at impact.
Avoid holding the racket too tightly, as this can restrict the quick finger movement needed for a powerful backhand clear.
Step 2: Move Behind the Shuttle
Use quick footwork to reach the shuttle before it drops too low. Turn your body and position yourself so you can play the shot from a balanced stance.
For a rear-court backhand clear, you may need to move across your body and create enough space for the racket to swing. Good positioning reduces the need to force the shot with your arm.
Step 3: Prepare the Racket
Bring the racket across your body, with your elbow bent and the racket positioned near the hitting side. Keep your body stable and your non-racket arm positioned to help maintain balance.
The preparation is usually more compact than a forehand clear. This makes timing and racket preparation particularly important.
Step 4: Strike the Shuttle
As the shuttle approaches, accelerate the racket using forearm rotation, elbow movement and a quick squeeze of the fingers. Use the thumb to support the racket and help transfer force into the shot.
Contact the shuttle as high as your position allows and slightly in front of your body when possible. Aim to direct it deep into the opponent’s backcourt rather than simply lifting it upwards.
Generating power through coordinated movement is more effective than relying on wrist movement alone.
Step 5: Recover Quickly
After contact, bring the racket back into a ready position and regain your balance. Move towards a suitable base position based on your opponent’s likely return.
If your backhand clear lands short, the opponent may be able to play an attacking shot. Focus on improving both the distance and consistency of your clears.
Forehand Clear vs Backhand Clear in Badminton
Although both shots aim to send the shuttle deep into the opponent’s court, they differ in grip, body positioning and the way power is generated. Both techniques require early preparation, clean contact and quick recovery. Neither shot should be played using arm strength alone.
| Feature | Forehand Clear | Backhand Clear |
| Grip | Forehand grip | Backhand grip |
| Common use | Racket-side rear court | Non-racket-side rear court |
| Body position | Usually sideways to the net | Often turned across the body |
| Power generation | Body rotation, shoulder, elbow and forearm | Forearm rotation, elbow movement and finger power |
| Difficulty | Generally easier to learn | Usually requires more practice |
| Main challenge | Timing and accurate placement | Generating sufficient distance and control |
Tips to Improve Your Badminton Clear Shot
1. Focus on timing: Contact the shuttle at a high point and prepare your racket early for better control and power.
2. Relax your grip: Keep your grip loose during preparation and use controlled finger action at impact to accelerate the racket.
3. Improve your footwork: Practise split steps, chasse steps and recovery movements to reach the shuttle quickly and maintain balance.
4. Aim for the backcourt: Target the opponent’s backcourt to push them backwards and limit their attacking opportunities.
5. Practise both sides: Work on forehand and backhand clears to improve consistency and handle shuttles from different positions.
6. Use video feedback: Record your practice sessions to identify mistakes in your grip, racket preparation, contact point and follow-through.
Drills to Practise Badminton Clear Shots
Regular drills help you develop consistency and learn to execute clears under different conditions.
1. Basic clear-to-clear drill: Stand at the rear court and exchange high clears with a partner. Focus on sending the shuttle deep and returning to your base position after every shot.
2. Forehand clear drill: Ask your partner to feed shuttles towards your forehand rear court. Practise reaching the shuttle early and hitting controlled clears towards different areas of the backcourt.
3. Backhand clear drill: Have your partner feed shuttles towards your backhand rear court. Begin with comfortable feeds and gradually increase the difficulty as your technique improves.
4. Target practice: Place targets in different areas of the opponent’s backcourt. Aim to land your clears near these targets while maintaining a consistent trajectory.
5. Clear and recover drill: Hit a clear, return to your base position and prepare for the next feed. This combines shot execution with movement and recovery.
Start slowly and prioritise accuracy before increasing your speed or power.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Playing a Clear Shot
Even players with good technique can struggle with clear shots if they develop poor habits.
- Using only arm strength: Ignoring body rotation, elbow movement and finger action can limit power and cause fatigue.
- Contacting the shuttle too late: A low contact point makes it harder to achieve sufficient height and distance.
- Holding the racket too tightly: Excessive grip tension restricts racket acceleration and control.
- Poor footwork: Reaching the shuttle off balance can lead to weak or inaccurate clears.
- Hitting too flat: A clear that travels too low may give the opponent an opportunity to intercept or attack.
- Failing to recover: Watching your shot instead of returning to a ready position can leave you vulnerable to the next attack.
Work on one correction at a time instead of trying to change every aspect of your technique during a single session.
Conclusion
The badminton clear shot is an essential technique for building consistent rallies, controlling court position and creating attacking opportunities. Learning the forehand clear helps you generate power through coordinated body movement, while mastering the backhand clear improves your ability to handle shuttles on the non-racket side.
Focus on the correct grip, early preparation, high contact point and balanced recovery. Practise both techniques regularly through clear-to-clear exchanges, target drills and movement exercises. With consistent practice, you can improve your shot distance, accuracy and confidence, making the clear a more effective part of your badminton game.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A clear shot sends the shuttlecock high or fast towards the opponent’s backcourt. It is used to create space, move the opponent backwards and regain control of a rally.
The two main types are the high clear, which follows a high arc, and the attacking clear, which travels faster along a flatter trajectory.
The forehand clear is generally easier for beginners because it allows more natural power generation through body rotation and the hitting arm. The backhand clear requires more precise timing and finger control.
Use an attacking clear when your opponent is positioned too far forward or has limited time to recover towards the backcourt. Ensure the shuttle still travels safely over the opponent.
A clear should generally reach deep into the opponent’s backcourt to limit their attacking options. However, the ideal placement depends on the situation and your tactical objective.
