TACTICS · PLACEMENT

Move your opponent with depth and angle

You do not need to hit every shuttle harder. A clear purpose for the landing point can make an ordinary shot much more difficult to return.

Reviewed against the BWF Laws of Badminton · Updated 31 August 2026

Give each placement one job

  1. 01Deep: push the opponent back and open the front court.
  2. 02Short: bring the opponent forward after you have made them respect the rear court.
  3. 03Wide or body: make them travel sideways, or remove space for a full swing.

INTERACTIVE TARGET MAP

Watch one starting point create different problems.

Each option changes the target and the opponent’s movement. The best choice depends on where the opponent is now.

Move your opponent with depth and angle

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PUSH BACK

A deep shot moves the opponent away from the net and gives a short reply more space later.

Drag to rotate · Double-click to reset

01 / DEPTH

Move back before you ask them to move forward

A deep clear or lift can force the opponent toward the baseline. Even if it does not win the rally, it changes the space available for the next shot.

Depth only works when the shuttle stays in. Aim a little inside the line until your control improves.

02 / ANGLE

Use the open court, not the painted line

Look at the opponent’s position and choose the larger open space. A cross-court shot can create more travel, while a straight shot has a shorter path and often returns sooner.

You do not need the outermost 10 centimetres. A target safely inside the court can still move the opponent a long way.

03 / BODY

Sometimes the player is the open space

A quick shot toward the body can be harder than a wider shot. The receiver must decide between forehand and backhand and may not have room for a full swing.

Use body placement as a change of rhythm, especially in fast drive exchanges. Never confuse purposeful placement with trying to hit someone dangerously.