What are the optimal biomechanics of a badminton smash?
Badminton
is no exception to biomechanics: being comprised of many movement sequences. The
smash shot within badminton is crucial as it uses both power and speed, making
it very hard for the opponent to return the shuttle (Yap, 2012).
Healy, J. (n.d). Biomechanical analysis of badminton. Badminton Smash. Retrieved on June 12, 2015, from https://jordynhealy.wordpress.com/biomechanical-analysis/
Figure 1- Badminton Smash Angle
As it can be seen in figure 1, the smash shot in badminton uses steep angles again increasing the difficulty for the opponent. Contact between the racket and shuttle within the smash shot is made high above the head, almost at full extension (Yap, 2012). Making contact this high helps to produce the steep angle required and as seen in figure 1, thus limiting the opponents return options. Though the smash is able to be completed using both a forehand and backhand swing there will be a primary focus on a forehand smash throughout this biomechanical analysis. With this being said, what are the optimal biomechanics of a forehand badminton smash?