Defensive Badminton Strategies: The Chisel

Welcome to another lesson in badminton strategies.

I've read some of the stuff on the internet, tried them out and added my little touch to it for your perusal. I've even added in names to make them easier to remember!

This is part four of the Badminton Strategies segment. It'll be 6 parts in all, sans the overview.

If you read the overview you'll understand that I term Defensive Strategies as a way to really drag the game on and make the opponent give you the points through unforced errors or sheer impatience. Not to say that this mode of playing isn't fun!

When you've got control of both your opponent's mind and physique, it gets really interesting. This time round we work something that, in my opinion, is the hardest of all the master - patience. I call this one The Chisel.

It's named such because constructing a rally in a game of badminton is kind of like a sculptor working on his masterpiece. You take one small, small hit from the marble and then you take another, and another, and another till you're left with one hell of a work of art.

One impatient strike is all it takes to crack that stone in half.

Remember the Triangle Principle? Now, use that, and then forget about winning the point. The whole aim of this strategy is to let your opponent expand as much energy as possible.

Use the long-drawn rallies to evaluate his playing style - is he hitting more towards your left or right? How fast are his drop shots? Does he like to smash left or right? How about taking risks? Will he compromise his balance to get a powerful smash in? Is he better at forehand or backhand defense?

It's a game patience where you probably have to give in as much as your opponent and see who ends up with the least stamina in the end. Truly a double-edged sword, but if you're confident that you've got better control and footwork than your opponent, go ahead and try this one.

Because no matter how fit your opponent is, something's gotta give. And trust me when I say the game goes to the thinking player.

Coming up next, we've got offensive strategies. They're the ones who tend to increase the pace of the game and create a sizable gap between the points.

I'll start with one of the classics from my favorite Men's Single's player, Peter Hoeg Gade - the Ground N Pound.