Badminton · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.2
Doubles Attack
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown
Attack in doubles means hitting down and keeping it down. A steep smash cuts the defenders' reaction time; the higher the contact and the closer to the net, the steeper the angle, and getting behind the shuttle makes that possible. Body, hip and middle smashes cramp defenders or make them hesitate, and placement beats a good defender. Shuttles also slow quickly in the air.
Half smashes trade some power for control and land shorter, and drops pull defenders in and often force lifts, so varying the pace breaks a deep defence. The front player keeps the racket up, intercepts only what can be attacked, and finishes short blocks with taps, using a short action to avoid net faults. Receivers attack the serve by hitting down on loose or rising serves, and smash the flick if in time. Flat attack keeps the shuttle level and fast, aimed at the body and the gaps. The rear backhand is harder to attack from, so opponents target it, and the player there answers round-the-head to keep the forehand attack, which can unbalance them and leave the forehand side open. Openings come from moving defenders: pulling wide opens the middle, and switching targets unsettles the pair. The finish is a kill into space or at the body.
The facts below cover the steep smash, the half smash and drop, the front player, attacking the serve, flat attack, the round-the-head side, following up, creating openings, finishing and attacking as a pair.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1The steep smashTake a test
Steep angles cut reaction time.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Body and hip smashes cramp defenders.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Getting behind the shuttle allows steepness.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Shuttles slow quickly in the air.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
A higher contact gives a steeper angle.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Placement beats a good defender.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Middle smashes cause hesitation.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Higher and closer is steeper.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Position, turn, hit, follow.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Higher contact means steeper.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 2The half smash and the dropTake a test
Half smashes trade power for control.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Half smashes keep pressure with control.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Less pace lands shorter.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Drops pull defenders in.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Drops often force lifts.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Varying pace breaks a deep defence.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Slow drops float to the net player.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Pace drops step by step.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Vary pace, then finish.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A steep but slower shot landing short is a drop.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 3The front player in attackTake a test
Short blocks are finished at the net.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Racket up for interceptions.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Only take what can be attacked.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Taps kill tight replies.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A short action avoids a net fault.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The front player follows the shuttle.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Flat shots past the front go to the back player.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Read, step, finish.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
High is easiest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Net taps finish the attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 4Attacking the serveTake a test
Attacking the serve wins the first exchange.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Hit down on loose serves.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Gaps beside the server are hard to cover.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A brushing action avoids net faults.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Follow up the attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Rising serves can be attacked.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Smash the flick if in time.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
See, step, push, follow.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Down first, up last.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Hitting down on the serve is attacking it.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 5Flat attackTake a test
Flat attack keeps the shuttle level and fast.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Flat play is fast and pressing.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Body and gaps.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Short grips speed up drives.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Flat attack pushes both players forward.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Short blocks are chances at the net.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Flat play can be countered flat.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Flat pressure forces a lift.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Drives are flattest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Level fast shots are flat play.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 6Attacking the round-the-head sideTake a test
Reaching round the head to use the forehand.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The rear backhand is harder to attack from.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Round-the-head keeps the forehand attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Reaching across can unbalance the player.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The forehand side can be left open.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Target the weaker side.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
The backhand overhead is the other option.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Move, reach, smash, recover.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Backhand overheads are often weakest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Forehand on the backhand side is round-the-head.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 7Following up the attackTake a test
Following up keeps pressure.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Downward shots keep the defenders lifting.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Lifting gives the attack away.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Keep it down.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
There is no limit.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Not following up leaves blocks unanswered.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
The back player covers lifts.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Keep hitting down.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Lifts lose the attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Following up keeps the pressure.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Test 8Creating openingsTake a test
Openings come from moving defenders.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Switching targets unsettles defenders.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Wide shots stretch the pair, opening the middle.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
It opens the straight line.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Off balance means an opening.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Read and intercept.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Pace changes upset timing.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Wide then middle.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
From the side inward.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Pulling wide opens the middle.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 9Finishing the pointTake a test
Kill into space.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Space or body.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Control reduces errors.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Short and high is the chance.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Weak midcourt lifts are smashed.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Shorter actions reduce errors.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Reset for the next point.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 10 · recall
Smash, block, finish.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Closest first.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A kill into space finishes the point.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 10Attacking as a pairTake a test
Agreed roles prevent clashes.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Pairs place the strongest smasher at the back.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Knowing weak blocks will be finished.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Drills build understanding.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Use each partner's strengths.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Downward thinking keeps the attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Short talks help fix problems.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 10 · recall
Agree, drill, play, review.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Front, gap, back.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The front player finishes short blocks.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Questions people ask
- What makes a smash steep?
- A higher contact point, and a contact closer to the net, give a steeper angle, which cuts the defenders' reaction time. Getting behind the shuttle makes the steep contact possible.
- Where should you aim a smash in doubles?
- At the body or hip, which cramps defenders, or at the middle, which causes hesitation. Placement beats a good defender.
- What is a half smash?
- A smash played with less power for more control. It lands shorter than a full smash and keeps the pressure on.
- What does the front player do in a doubles attack?
- Keeps the racket up for interceptions, takes only what can be attacked, and finishes short blocks at the net with taps. A short action avoids a net fault.
- What is a round-the-head shot in badminton?
- Reaching round the head to play a forehand on the backhand side, which keeps the forehand attack from the rear backhand corner. Reaching across can unbalance the player and leave the forehand side open.
- How do you create an opening in doubles?
- Move the defenders: pull them wide to open the middle, switch targets to unsettle them, and change pace to upset their timing. An off-balance defender is an opening.
- Why must a doubles attack be followed up?
- Following up keeps the pressure on and the defenders lifting, while not following up leaves blocks unanswered. Lifting gives the attack away.
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).
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 873
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 725
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 102