Badminton · Drop shots

Reverse slice and cut drops

From the forehand rear corner, disguise the cut drop and the reverse slice behind the same smash-like preparation.

COP1
Start / 5
Time
15 min
Players
2–4
Age
U16+
Area
Full court
Equipment
20 shuttlesshuttle basket or tube8 floor tape or throw-down markers

Setup

  1. Tape two target boxes between the net and the short service line on the feeder's side: one straight, one crosscourt.
  2. The feeder (CO, a coach or partner) stands in the middle of their court with a basket, well behind the target boxes.
  3. The hitter (P1) starts from a singles base on the other side.

How it runs

  1. CO lifts high to P1's forehand rear corner.
  2. P1 moves behind the shuttle and shows a full overhead preparation, as if to smash.
  3. Cut drop: the racket face slices across the shuttle with an outside-in path. Reverse slice: the face opens outward on an inside-out path.
  4. Either drop can go straight or crosscourt: work both directions for each.
  5. Start with blocks of 6 of each drop, then let P1 choose and aim for either box.
  6. P1 recovers to base after every drop; 12 to 16 feeds a set, then swap.

Coaching points

  • Same preparation as the smash and clear: side-on, racket up, elbow high. The disguise is the point of the shot.
  • Fast arm, short contact: the slice takes pace off, not a slow swing.
  • Contact in front and high; the cut needs the shuttle above and slightly ahead of the head.
  • Aim to land just past the net and inside the short service line, falling steeply.
  • Push off into the recovery straight after contact; a good drop invites a lift you want to attack.

Common mistakes

  • Slowing the arm before contact, which tells the opponent a drop is coming.
  • Slicing so much that the shuttle catches the tape or sits up high over the net.
  • Letting the shuttle get behind the head, so the drop floats long.
  • Opening the body early for the reverse slice, giving the direction away.

Say it: “Same swing, slice late.”

Make it harder

  • CO calls the target as the shuttle peaks, so P1 commits late.
  • Add the smash and clear: CO calls any of four shots and P1 must keep the same preparation.
  • Play the drops in a rally: P2 replaces CO, must start from base and replies with a net shot or lift.

Make it easier

  • Use one box and one drop type at a time, with bigger targets.
  • CO feeds from mid-court with shorter, higher lifts so P1 has more time.
  • Practise the slicing action standing still with a hand-fed shuttle before adding movement.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.