TIPS that really help to get a better SMASH!

Yes this is another video about the smash, but also so much more because in my eyes it covers one of the most useful tools for learning any motor skill and it changed my whole approach to coaching and teaching.

All the cues I talk about can be transferred to all other shots, and if you understand the concept of external cues and the endposition of shots you will easily find examples and keypoints for every other technique you want to coach or master.

About the endposition:
In the video I talk about the end position of the smash and point out, that the racket should be infront of your dominant body side. In a match, and when you combine your smash with more movement and footwork, there will also be different endpositions. So for example on a scissor jump you will also see players where the racket swings across the body on the other side. In one of the videos with Yuta Watanabe you can see the total opposite where the racket and arm bounce back to his left side (he is lefthander). So keep in mind, that the arm position in a match can variate, what always stays the same is the rebound of the racket when players hit with maximum power and a lot of rotation

About internal and external cues:
Do I never use internal cues? No, I use them a lot! Many times I think they are very helpful or also necessary, especially if you have to fix a certain part of a movement, but often I realize afterwards, that external cues would have been a better option. If you are a coach and if you give external cues a try I think you will also feel the tendency of falling back to internal cues a lot, as it is what most of us are used to, but I made so many great experiences with the new approach and I think many of you will too!

References:

[hou]

Thanks for the good tutorial! 👍Found an easier way to remember it > 3S
1. Sound
2. Steepnest
3. Start and end position

[heikkijantti]

Tobias is absolutely on the right track. As an old, very old, national senior champion, I have something to tell you. I started my badminton in the 60's at the age of 25. Since the start I have heard many completely different and even contradictory explanations of the technique. At the beginning NOBODY talked about the rotation. It was first in the 70's that the term was mentioned after high speed videos had shown the phenomenon. And that was a revelation. I studied it by myself and since then, as a self made player, I had multiple national championships and even silver in Nordic championships. Well, these are not the goal of my life, they are elsewhere. I say this to warn you about coaches. In most cases, when they start talking, there is only one thing to do, that is to run. But not in Tobias's case.

[koroshiyashinigami]

my favourite badminton coach on YouTube back at it again giving crisp clear while still staying respectable to our time with these short videos! Thanks Coach!

[kevinwilliams]

So much smash coaching comes across as a beginner's guide on how to smash, yet the difference between smashes of people that can smash is massive. Nice to see you're trying to get at this.

[persistence]

Took me 3 years of 5 days/week training and 1 year tennis elbow to understand this. And you! You explain this in just 10 minutes? You are the best coach i love you.

[bubblebubble]

The most helpful, realistic approach to a good smash, well done Tobi 👍

[manaid]

I’m re-watching this video. These tips are actually extremely helpful. By focusing on the results, you can gauge whether you are executing right or wrong.

[bachlamtung]

this is a very interesting approach to teaching badminton. Focusing not so much on the individual fragmented movements, but rather judging the end results which in turn promotes more experimentation with purpose. I think it works for a specific audience like me who has basics i.e grip, general movement down but is still stuck with not enough power or angle

[thefalcon.]

The last tip is actually the best tip i'v ever seen on the internet till this day. Def worth a follow

[jaspertandy]

This is easily the most useful, and replicable smash advice I've ever seen on YouTube. I'm sitting on my sofa and I can fully visualise the changes I need to make to my swing to improve my smash. All of the advice I've ever received is to increase forearm rotation but when you're trying to implement that within the existing framework of your movement, it's pretty much impossible. Focussing on the start and end position rather than the movement itself is so simple and elegant, I can't wait to give this a try. Just wish I hadn't watched this video when I'm injured 😁

[xcvlkm]

This is a great coaching video. Everyone has to know what to achieve and how to begin. Let your body do the work to achieve that goal! Awesome video

[AnujSingh-wtqg]

I realise now, that I corrected my smashes over the years, just by listening and trying to hit a clean shot every time, and this is the first time someone has pointed it out. Feels so good, that i was on the right track :) Thank you Tobi :)

[thefallenarm]

didn't know the clue to identify the lack of rotation in point 3, it's golden, thank you !

[irsantenggara]

Wow! This really is a new approach to fix bad smashes! And I really think this is easier to apply and would help a lot of people. Respect.

[thefallenarm]

Totally agree with point 2 about not focusing on the height : higher is not better if it's too high for you, not only for smash, but for all shots.
Also, hitting the shuttle a bit lower than "optimised height" enables you to always hit it at the same height even when you're little bit late ; in the end, you're more consistent in your shots.

[alexandr]

Thank you for being so detailed, Tobias! Not many trainers are able to explain the basic swing movement for clears/smashes, they just do it well (and they have no idea how :D)

[utpalbaruah]

Thank you so much for your crisp and clear instructions for powerful smash!!!

[WilHow]

I've watched a lot of videos on the proper technique of hitting a shuttlecock, not necessary smashes. Yours is the one that contains the missing details that pretty much all other missed, especially the final key point about the rotation. I've had so many experienced players telling me the rotation isn't where the power is, but looking our video, it seems to point out that rotation, in combination with all the other movements originating from your back foot to the hip and shoulder, is also key in generating power.

[theodoreandreas]

Really nice video, I could also see the reasoning why you used external cues because the results are easier to be noted as an indicator of good smash as opposed to internal cues. Thanks coach! Will try this out

[phamad]

Bravo! An absolutely practical approach. Thank you for the unique tip.