# Overhead Strokes · Badminton Level 2: Elementary

Badminton · Level 2: Elementary · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/badminton/level-2/overhead-strokes/)

Technique of the forehand clear, forearm rotation, the drop shot and slice drop, the smash and jump smash, the backhand clear, the round-the-head shot, contact and footwork, and common overhead faults.

## Test 1: The forehand clear

- Clears are hit high and a little in front. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- An upward face lifts the shuttle to the back. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The racket follows through across the body. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Pulling the free arm down helps rotate the trunk. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Attacking clears pass just over the opponent's reach. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Weight transfers forward through the stroke. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Deep clears move the opponent far from the net. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- Prepare, load, hit, follow through. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Smashes are hit furthest in front, clears a little further back. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A high, deep overhead is a clear. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 2: Forearm rotation and power

- Forearm rotation (pronation) whips the racket through. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Internal rotation turns the forearm inward through contact. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The forearm rotates outward as the racket drops back. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Bending and straightening add racket head speed. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Power builds from the ground up through the body. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Power comes from rotation, not a flicked wrist alone. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Rotation accelerates the racket head. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Power flows from legs to forearm. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Out, straighten, in, through. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The inward turn of the forearm whips the racket through contact. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 3: The drop shot

- Drops fall close to the net. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Same preparation as other overheads disguises the drop. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Slowing the racket softens the shot. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Fast drops land in front of the service line with more pace. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Mixing clears and drops moves the opponent front and back. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- A floating drop is easily killed. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- Drops are overheads from the back. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Disguise, then take the pace off. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- From the gentlest drop to the smash. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A soft overhead to the forecourt is a drop. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 4: The slice drop

- Cutting across the shuttle changes its speed and direction. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A glancing hit removes pace. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A full swing with a glancing contact deceives the opponent. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- Cutting from the opposite side sends it the other way. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A cross slice goes diagonally short. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The angled face brushes across the shuttle. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Too much angle can mishit. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Disguise, swing, slice, recover. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- More cut means more surprise. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- A glancing overhead cut is a slice. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 5: The smash

- Smashes are the main attacking stroke. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Contact in front lets the racket angle steeply down. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Half smashes trade a little pace for accuracy. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Lines and the body are hard to defend. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- Steep angles give less time and a low contact. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Smash replies often come short, so the smasher moves in. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- A high contact allows a downward angle. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Prepare, load, hit, recover forward. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- From a short stick smash to the jump smash. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A steep, powerful overhead is a smash. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 6: The jump smash

- Higher contact allows a steeper angle. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Jumping is tiring and the landing slows recovery. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A short, high lift invites a jump smash. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- It is a staple in men's play. (Source: General badminton reference)
- A balanced landing allows quick recovery. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6)
- Players scissor their legs during the jump. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6)
- Stick smashes are short, sharp and steep. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Behind, jump, hit, land. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The jump gives the highest contact. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Jumping raises the contact for a steeper smash. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 7: The backhand clear

- The thumb behind the handle powers the backhand. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The high backhand is hit with the back towards the net. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Power is hard on the high backhand. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The backhand overhead is met high and a little behind. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Forearm rotation and a sharp snap drive the backhand. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Deep backhand-side shuttles may force a backhand. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Backhand drops are common from that position. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Turn, grip, snap, recover. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Drops are easiest; backhand smashes the hardest. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A high backhand to the back is the backhand clear. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 8: The round-the-head shot

- The racket goes round the head to hit a forehand on the backhand side. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A forehand from that side gives more power and options. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The trunk bends sideways to reach round the head. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- All overheads can be played round the head. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Moving across to the backhand side leaves space elsewhere. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- Players land and push back towards the base. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6)
- Rear players attack from both sides. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- Move, lean, swing, recover. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Round-the-head smashes attack most. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8)
- A forehand reached round the head. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 9: Overhead contact and footwork

- Behind the shuttle, the hit can be in front of the body. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A shuttle behind the head forces weak replies. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Turning side-on lets the body rotate into the overhead. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- The legs swap so the player lands moving forward. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6)
- Good timing gives the highest contact. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6)
- Slow movement leaves the shuttle behind. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6)
- Watching the shuttle helps timing. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Read, move, set, hit. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6)
- In front is best; behind is worst. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- When the shuttle passes the head, only a weak, defensive reply is possible. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

## Test 10: Common overhead faults

- Late contact loses power and depth. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Square-on hitting blocks body rotation. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Hitting too far in front and low angles the shot into the net. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A high elbow keeps the swing powerful. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- A locked arm cannot whip through. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Earlier movement fixes late contact. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3)
- Stopping the racket loses pace and control. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Observe, diagnose, cue, practise. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3)
- Late contact costs most depth. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)
- Square-on hitting misses the turn that powers the stroke. (Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7)

Sources: BWF Coaches' Manual Level 1 (2017), BWF regulations and history, Olympedia; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category (Badminton - Laws of Badminton).

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