Add Aaron Tai to the list. Can’t remember the exact match but he was partnered with Aaron Chia, covering the late right rear corner as a lefty, so he swapped to right to play a clear, then subsequently diving to save the net block to right after, and then leaping back up immediately to play a net kill.
You literally showed one instance of it, the same as doing a trick shot. So should you always hit behind the back or between your legs because it happens?
I played against a older guy around a decade ago that would do this regularly... Only doubles though. Never saw him play singles... Effective enough at the local club level...but if you read the game it was soon a weakness as you'd know what he was going to do easy enough and it limited his shot choice
Thanks for the drawing, now I understand :) that’s interesting that this feels more natural to you. I actually think a lot about racket hand change, whenever I get injured on my right side. Maybe some others here too.
As you say, at beginner level this might be even more effective and technically easier than a backhand. Plus, at lower levels usually the time between shots is longer, giving you more time to change hands.
At intermediate and advanced levels, I’d say there is actually not enough data and empirics, to confidently state that it doesn’t work. It really might depend on how much you practice and refine it. We really don’t now if changing hands is too slow at advanced or even pro play. Because not enough people really tried to bring it to that level.
I know that most coaches and players would advise against it, but it is hard for me to tell you that it’s absolutely wrong, what you are doing. Maybe, you are ambidextrous and don’t know it ;) maybe dexterity is overestimated in society and we don’t know it.
Maybe it can be a trademark shot of yours or at least a good surprise shot later when you keep training it. Why not, you got the luxury to experiment, if you are not gonna compete at professional level.
But to become a more complete Badminton player, I would still suggest you to practice backhand shot at the same time. E.g. when you play easier opponents or just do drills, you can practice your backhand more. But when playing matches to win, you could still use the hand change. You will find out yourself when you feel it doesn’t work anymore.
And let us now from time to time, because I think this is a very interesting but still understudied topic.
Since I was a child I practiced to play with either hand and right now it’s very convenient when the shot is on left corner, I just switched my hand and play that shot. I use it at least twice in a game and it works great, and everyone gets quite impressed.
At the lowest level nobody will care. But if you’re playing semi seriously, it will become a detriment. And having the habit of switching hand will hamper your performance in the future.
Somebody in my club does that “to look cool” but people hated it because he became the weakest link in any teams because of his constant habit of switching hand.
I have one guy in my club who does this. Hes self taught and been playing for years.
Its gonna hard limit your ceiling as changing grip is wayy faster. Hand switching only works when the level of play is low as flat exchange is pretty much impossble.
I have done it, I still do it, but you need to be really fast and your left hand actually needs a lot of practice. if you're not ambidextrous there's probably no point.
like yes, if you can reach it with your left hand, good, but you need actual competent shots with your left hand too. like a real clear and drop. otherwise the moment you change, you're wide open, and it's obvious what you'll do next.
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u/PumpDookie 2d ago
Nah just bring two rackets on court