Badminton · Smash · Tactics & patterns

Steep and flat smash variation

Learn when to smash steep and short and when to smash flat and deep, then use both in a conditioned rally.

P1P2
Start / 5
Time
15 min
Players
2–4
Age
U16+
Area
Full court
Equipment
12 shuttles8 floor tape or throw-down markers

Setup

  1. Tape two target boxes on one side: a steep box just behind the short service line down one sideline, and a flat box deep in the middle of the court.
  2. P1 attacks from the far side; P2 defends from a central base between the two boxes.
  3. Shoulders warmed up and a few half-pace smashes before full effort.

How it runs

  1. P2 lifts to P1's rear court to start each rally.
  2. From a lift P1 reaches early and in balance, smash steep into the steep box.
  3. From a lift that pushes P1 deep or wide, smash flat and fast at P2's body or into the flat box.
  4. P2 defends with a lift every time, so P1 gets a run of smashes. Blocks of 8 smashes, then swap.
  5. Score 2 for a smash into the right box for the situation, 1 for any other in-court smash.

Coaching points

  • Steep: get behind and above the shuttle, contact further in front, racket face closed over the top.
  • Flat: when contact is late or deep, keep the swing fast and aim at the body or deep middle rather than forcing the angle.
  • Decide early: the quality of the lift tells you which smash to play.
  • Recover to base straight after the smash; a flat smash comes back faster.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to smash steep from behind the body, which floats long or hits the net.
  • Playing every smash at the same pace and angle so the defender settles.
  • Flat smashes aimed at the sideline from deep, giving the defender angle to counter.

Say it: “Good lift: steep. Late lift: flat.”

Make it harder

  • P2 may block or drive as well as lift; play the rally out.
  • P1 must alternate steep and flat, and call which one before hitting.
  • Add a slice smash that drops into the steep box at less pace.

Make it easier

  • A coach feeds high lifts from beside the net post instead of P2 defending.
  • Make both boxes bigger, or use only the steep box for the first block.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.