Badminton · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.3
Doubles Defence
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown
Doubles defence starts with a low, square stance in the midcourt, on the balls of the feet, with the racket in front and a relaxed backhand grip that covers the body and the backhand side. From there defenders have three main replies to a smash. The block absorbs the pace and drops short, ideally into space away from the front attacker, because a waiting net player kills blocks. The defensive lift, used when nothing else is possible, goes high and deep into the corners to give time. The counter-drive sends a flat smash back flat into the gap behind the front player and takes time away from the attackers; steep smashes are hard to drive.
Body smashes cramp the swing, and the hip is the hardest spot, so defenders use the backhand and a small step to create room. Against the cross-court smash each defender covers their own side, and its longer path gives more time. A jump smash is steep and fast, but reading the action, extra depth and the time the smasher needs to land all help. A reset takes the rally back to neutral, and defence always aims to become attack: whoever hits down first gains it.
The facts below cover the stance and grip, the block, the lift, the counter-drive, body and cross-court smashes, the jump smash, resetting, turning defence into attack and defending as a pair, including who takes the middle.
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 defensive stance and gripTake a test
A low square stance reaches both sides.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A backhand grip covers the body and backhand side.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Racket in front meets the shuttle sooner.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Balls of the feet allow quick movement.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6 · recall
Midcourt depth gives time and reach.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Adjust the stance to the danger.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
A relaxed grip reacts faster.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Position, lower, ready, react.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
From attack to defence.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
That is the defensive stance.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 2The blockTake a test
Blocks absorb the pace and drop short.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The racket only redirects the smash.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Block into space.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A block moves the smasher.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Cross blocks away from the front player are hard to reach.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A waiting net player kills blocks.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
High blocks are punished.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Absorb, drop, force.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Away from the net player is safer.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Blocks away from the front attacker are safest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 3The defensive liftTake a test
Lift when nothing else is possible.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Deep corners give time.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Short lifts give steep close smashes.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Lifting means defending.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Cross lifts make the smasher travel.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Corners make smashes harder.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Cross lifts are longer and may be cut off.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Higher and longer gives more time.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Lift, set, defend.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
After lifting, defend side by side.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 4The counter-driveTake a test
Driving the smash back flat.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Flat smashes can be driven.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A drive takes time from the attackers.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Into the gap behind the front player.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A short thumb grip is fast.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Flat smashes invite drives.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Steep smashes are hard to drive.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Meet, drive, step in.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Drives attack most.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A flat reply to a smash is a counter-drive.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 5Defending body smashesTake a test
Body shots cramp the swing.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The backhand covers the body.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Compact defence handles body shots.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The hip makes the defender hesitate.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Body smashes are usually blocked.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Specific feeding trains reactions.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
A small step creates space.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6 · recall
Ready, room, block, recover.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The hip is hardest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The hip causes hesitation.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 6Defending the cross-court smashTake a test
Each covers their own side.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Longer path means more time.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Straight replies punish the open line.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Cross smashes open the straight gap.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Defenders shift with the shuttle.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Adjust to cover the cross.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
The manual: straight smashes are easier to follow up.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Shift, take, reply, cover.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Cross smashes travel furthest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The cross-side defender covers it.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 7Defending the jump smashTake a test
Steepness and speed cut reaction time.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Reading the action gives time.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Blocks use the smash's pace.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Jumping is tiring and slows recovery.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 9 · recall
Extra depth gives time.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Deep lifts reduce steepness.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Landing takes time.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Deep, read, block, attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Jump and closer is steeper.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Block the steep smash.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 8Resetting the rallyTake a test
A reset takes the rally back to neutral.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Blocks to the net bring the rally level.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Lifting keeps the defence going.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The first to hit down gains the attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Loose replies are attacked.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Resets end the defence.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
The forecourt away from the attacker.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Defend, reset, fight, attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
From defence through neutral to attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A block resets to neutral.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 9Turning defence into attackTake a test
Defence aims to become attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Drives take the attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Hitting down takes the attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The blocker follows the block.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Front and back again.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Not following loses the chance.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Tight net shots win the net.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Block, follow, set, attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Drives turn it fastest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Front and back means attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 10Defending as a pairTake a test
Trust keeps the court covered.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Many pairs give the middle to the forehand.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Strengths guide sides.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Both set side by side.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Calm keeps replies deep.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 10 · recall
Agree the middle.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Covered court, calm play.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Agree, set, cover, reset.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Two defenders and the gap between.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Pairs agree who takes the middle.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Questions people ask
- What is the correct defensive stance in doubles?
- Low and square, on the balls of the feet, at midcourt depth, with the racket in front and a relaxed backhand grip. The stance is adjusted to where the danger comes from.
- Where should you block a smash?
- Into space, away from the front attacker, since a waiting net player kills blocks. Cross blocks away from the front player are hard to reach, and high blocks are punished.
- When should you lift in defence?
- Only when nothing else is possible, and then high and deep into the corners, which gives time and makes smashes harder. Short lifts give the attacker steep, close smashes.
- What is a counter-drive in badminton?
- A reply that drives a flat smash back flat, usually into the gap behind the front player, taking time from the attackers. A short thumb grip makes it fast; steep smashes are hard to drive.
- How do you defend a body smash?
- Cover the body with the backhand and take a small step to create room, keeping the defence compact. Body smashes are usually blocked.
- How do you defend against a jump smash?
- Stand a little deeper, read the action, and block using the smash's own pace. Deep lifts reduce its steepness, and the smasher needs time to land.
- Who takes the middle when defending side by side?
- Pairs agree it in advance, and many give the middle to the forehand. Strengths guide which side each partner covers.
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 886
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 710
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 62
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 91
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 101