POWERPLAY IN BADMINTON | Playing an aggressive and powerful game is a lot more than just getting the right racket. You need to possess the right technique and skill, and it’s important to practice over and over until you’ve got the hang of it.
Of course, having a head-heavy racket will help as they allow you to generate a lot more power into your smashes. But it’s just the beginning.
There are a number of ways to improve your powerplay, and here are a few tips to help you out.
The force with which you hit the shuttlecock is affected by the amount of time that your arm swings before the racket makes contact. In short, the longer the swing, the greater the force.
However, it’s difficult to get an accurate shot in when you make an overhead swing, as your body tends to turn with the racket. So while a longer swing generates more force, it may also cause the shuttlecock to be sent in the wrong direction. And force without direction is of little use in a badminton game.
However, by practising long swings you will learn to generate a lot more power into your shots. Keep practising, and soon your muscles will become more compact and efficient in making these shots.
When muscles are stretched in one direction, they store elastic energy which is released when the muscle moves in the opposite direction. This is why it’s important to stretch before every game and even before practice. This will allow your muscles to perform explosively, giving you the force needed to make a powerful shot.
Also read 5 Best Stretches You Can Do Before The Start Of A Badminton Game
It may not sound related, but having great footwork can drastically improve your powerplay. Good footwork will allow you to get into position quickly, giving you time to gauge the trajectory of the shuttlecock and return it as powerfully as possible.
Most coaches tend to focus solely on strength, flexibility, and muscle action when teaching about powerplay. However, they tend to ignore an important aspect of powerplay – your grip.
By gripping the racket incorrectly, you may inhibit some movements and cause a reduction in power.
Ideally, you should hold the racket at the lowest possible point so that you have a longer lever to swing with. To practice better technique, most coaches will tell you to relax your grip on the racket. And while this is true, you need to learn how to switch to a tighter grip just before making contact with the shuttlecock. This will allow you to generate the most power from a shot.
The best way to improve your powerplay is to find a partner to train with. Play with a friend or another passionate badminton player and practice your power shots with them. This way you’ll learn to return the shuttle during gameplay.
Practice hard, and you’ll get the hang of it in no time!
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