From hitting 5 net shots per rally to finishing points in 1-2 touches
I used to hit 4-5 net shots before either I or my opponent won the point. Just tapping it back and forth, hoping the other person would mess up first.
My clubmate watched me play one day and said, "You know you can kill those high net shots, right?" Changed everything.
Turns out there's a massive difference between controlling the net and just surviving at the net. Here's what I learned from getting destroyed at the net for two years straight.
For my first year, every net shot looked the same. Gentle tap over the net. No aggression, no variation, just hoping.
My opponents would rush the net, intercept high, and smash it past me. I couldn't figure out why their net play looked so aggressive while mine looked passive.
The answer? I didn't know the difference between the three essential net shots. Once I learned them, my doubles win rate jumped from 45% to 65% in about 3 months.
This is for when the shuttle is below net height and you can't attack.
My technique: I lunge forward (racket leg), get as close to the net as possible. Racket face open (tilted up slightly). Contact the shuttle as early as I can—the closer to the net, the better.
Then I just... push with my fingers. Not my wrist, not my arm. Just fingers. Gentle touch that makes the shuttle tumble over the net and drop vertically on the other side.
Goal: Land it within a foot of the net on their side. If it lands more than 18 inches from the net, it's not tight enough—they'll attack it.
I practice this by placing a towel 6 inches from the net on the other side. Aim for the towel. If I can hit 15/20 landing on or near the towel, my net control is solid.
💡 What Actually Helped: I stopped using my arm entirely. Just fingers guiding the shuttle. When I tried to "hit" net shots with arm motion, they'd fly too long or too high. Fingers only = way more control.
This is for when the shuttle is AT or ABOVE net height. This is your moment to end the rally.
I missed this for a full year. Someone would hit a loose net shot (above the tape), and I'd just tap it gently back. My partner would yell, "WHY DIDN'T YOU KILL THAT?"
Because I didn't know how.
Intercept high: I move forward fast and contact the shuttle as high as possible. Even half an inch matters—the higher you contact it, the steeper angle you get.
Racket face angled DOWN: Not flat, not up—DOWN. I angle the racket so it's pointing toward the floor on their side.
Quick wrist punch: Short, sharp punch downward with my wrist. Not a big swing. Just punch.
Aim: I target their body (they can't react fast enough) or the sideline (creates wide angle they can't cover).
First time I did this properly, my opponent couldn't even react. The shuttle was on the floor before they moved. That's when I realized—this is how good players dominate the net.
⚠️ Mistake I Made: Trying to kill every net shot. If the shuttle is below the tape, you can't safely kill it—you'll hit the net or give them an easy return. Read the height first, then decide.
When I'm late, off-balance, or the shuttle is really low, I lift to the back court.
My technique: Open racket face completely (facing the ceiling). Slice under the shuttle to generate height. Aim DEEP—back boundary, not mid-court.
Why deep? Because a mid-court lift is a free smash for my opponent. A deep lift forces them to move back and buys me recovery time.
I probably lift 3-4 times per match when I'm stretched. No shame in it—it's better than hitting a weak net shot they can attack.
Good technique means nothing if you arrive late. Here's what actually worked for me:
Split step: As my opponent contacts the shuttle, I split step (small hop, feet shoulder-width, weight on toes). This loads my legs.
Explosive first step: Racket leg forward (right leg for right-handers). ONE big lunge, not three small steps.
Deep bend: My front knee bends 90+ degrees. Non-racket arm extends back for balance.
Recovery: Push hard with my racket leg to get back. Don't drag the foot—push off explosively.
I used to take tiny steps to the net. Looked like I was tiptoeing. Now? One explosive lunge and I'm there in half the time.
💡 Real Talk: My legs were DEAD after my first week of proper lunging. Thighs burning, knees sore. That's normal. Your legs adapt in 2-3 weeks. Do bodyweight squats and lunges 3x per week to build the strength.
I tried a bunch of drills. These three delivered results:
My partner stands at the net across from me. We hit gentle net shots back and forth, aiming to keep the rally going as long as possible.
Goal: 20+ consecutive net shots without error. Forces control and consistency.
When I started, I could barely string together 5 in a row. After two weeks of this drill (10 min per session), I was hitting 25+ consistently.
My partner feeds random net shots—some high (above tape), some low (below tape). I have to read it and decide: kill the high ones, control the low ones.
This builds the decision-making speed. In matches, you have 0.3 seconds to read height and choose your shot. This drill made it automatic.
I start at center court. Lunge to forehand net, recover to center. Lunge to backhand net, recover to center. Repeat 10 times.
Rest 30 seconds. Do 3 sets.
Boring but brutally effective. After a month of this twice per week, my net speed was noticeably faster and I wasn't gasping for air after long net exchanges.
In doubles, I stand about 2-3 feet behind the front service line when my partner is attacking from the back.
Too close to the net? I can't react to drives or flat returns. Too far back? I can't intercept net shots.
At my club, most front players stand either way too close (getting burned by drives) or way too far back (not intercepting anything). That 2-3 foot sweet spot is key.
After playing hundreds of net exchanges, I've noticed patterns:
Tight net shot: They're in control, forcing me to lift. I prepare to defend.
Loose net shot (high): They messed up. I move forward aggressively to kill it.
Crosscourt net shot: They're trying to pull me wide. I move diagonally and prepare for them to also move (covering their open court).
The faster you read these cues, the better your net play becomes.
Using arm swing: I tried to swing my arm at net shots. Too much power, shuttle flies everywhere. Fixed it by using wrist and fingers only.
Standing and admiring: I'd hit a great net shot then just stand there watching it. Meanwhile the shuttle comes back and I'm not ready. Now I hit, then immediately prepare for the next shot.
Same net shot every time: I'd go straight every time. Predictable. Now I mix straight and crosscourt. Keeps opponents guessing.
Lunging too shallow: I'd barely bend my knee. Weak lunge = late arrival = poor shot. Deep lunges (90-degree knee bend) = earlier contact = better shots.
After 10+ years of playing and probably 2 years of focused net practice, here's what I know:
Net play is about decision-making speed. Good players decide kill vs control in 0.2 seconds based on shuttle height. That speed comes from repetition.
Before I worked on net play, I was a liability in doubles. My partner would set up beautiful attacking positions and I'd tap weak net shots that opponents easily defended.
Now? I finish points. When the shuttle comes to the net above tape height, I kill it 80% of the time. That alone made me a way better doubles partner.
Start with the tumbling net shot. Get it tight and consistent. Then add the net kill for high shuttles. Build the footwork through conditioning. Give it 2-3 months of honest practice.
Your net play won't be professional level. Mine isn't. But it'll stop being a weakness and become a strength. That's the goal.
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