0 Badminton Exercise: forehand overhead

The forehand overhead stroke is probably the most powerful aspect of a player's game. You may employ your opponent into his or her backcourt, up to the net, or to the side. A good overhead stroke from backcourt looks the same no matter what the shot. Then your opponent cannot determine which shot you are playing until after you have contacted the shuttle. If you disguise your shots well enough, the shuttle may not be returned at all. The difference between the various shots lies in the point of contact angle at which the shuttle leaves the racket and the speed of your racket at contact determine the speed of the returning shuttle.

Use the handshake grip when hitting shots on your dominant side, the right side for a right-handed player (see figure a). The forehand overhead stroking motion is similar to throwing a ball. The mechanics are almost identical. When done properly, this throwing motion is the properly timed coordination of accelerations and decelerations of all body segments, producing maximum absolut velocity to your dominant hand and in turn to your racket.

FOREHAND OVERHAD (Grice, 2008)

Usually overhead strokes will be made from the back half of the court. As the shuttle is hit so your feet are perpendicular to the net. Point your nondominant shoulder toward the net and shift your weight to your rear foot. If necessary, skip backward until you are slightly behind the dropping shuttle. This is your hitting stance.

As you move to the oncoming shuttle, raise your racket arm, cock your wrist, and point your racket slightly upward as your shoulders turn into your hitting position (see figure b). When you make your stroke, several things occur very rapidly. Your forward swing begins with a drive off your rear leg, followed by hip and shoulder rotation. Extend your nonracket arm in front of your body for balance and assistance in rotating your upper body. The racket head drops down behind your head into a back-scratch position. Your dominant arm extends upward leg by your elbow and vigorous rotation of your forearm and wrist. Throw your racket up to meet the shuttle with the edge of the racket leading. However, the racket face to rotate until it is almost flat at contact. The angle of the racket face determines the direction of the shuttle. At contact, the rapid rotation of your forearm has provided most of the power; your wrist uncocks so your arm is filly extended. Contact the shuttle at the highest point and in front of your body.

Source:

Grice, Tony. 2008. Badminton: Steps to Success. Human Kinetics Inc.: USA.