Different types of net shot

Net shot angles

Net shots can be either straight or angled.

Straight net shots are where the shuttle doesn’t travel sideways along the net. So if you’re making contact with the shuttle on the left side of the net, you will send it directly over to the same side (the left, as you see it). If you’re making contact in the middle of the net, you will send it back over to the middle (not to either side).

Angled net shots are where you add a sideways component to your net shot. Some angled shots travel the length of the net, from one corner to the other; these are called cross-court net shots.

Underhand vs. overhand net shots

An underhand net shot is where the racket head is below the level of the hand; the racket head is pointing mainly to the ceiling (and also slightly forwards). An overhand net shot is where the racket head is above the level of the hand, and facing more directly forwards.

Overhand net shots are used when the shuttle is above the level of the net tape; underhand net shots are used when the shuttle is below the level of the net tape. There’s a small area of cross-over, around net tape height, where either type of net shot can be used.

Underhand net shots are the more common type, especially in singles. Overhand net shots are often used in doubles, however, as the front attacking player can often reach the shuttle while it’s still above net height.

Another reason that underhand net shots are preferred in singles is that this racket position makes it much easier to threaten playing a lift. In doubles, the overhand action makes it easier to threaten a drive or push.

A slight flaw in this categorisation

The point about underhand vs. overhand net shots is that, generally speaking, the racket head should be under the hand when the shuttle is under net height, and over the hand when the shuttle is over net height.

However, when playing cross-court net shots, the racket head normally ends up above the hand, even if the shuttle is below the net! This is also sometimes true for other angled net shots.

Spinning net shots

In certain situations, you can apply spin to your net shots, which makes them more difficult to return and causes them to fall tighter to the net.

Spinning net shots are used in all forms of the game, but are especially important for high-level men’s singles.

Spinning net shots are not currently covered by this guide. I will be adding them later, however!

Simple vs. deceptive net shots

You can often disguise your intentions by preparing as though to play one shot, before actually playing something different.

You can disguise the direction of your net shots, or even disguise them as a completely different shot (such as a lift). If the disguise is good enough, you may deceive your opponent so that he moves the wrong way.

We’ll look at the issue of deception throughout this guide, as it’s an important theme around the net. However, it’s not always beneficial to attempt deception, as it often causes you to play a less accurate shot and to take the shuttle later than you could have done.