Basically, there are 3 main factors to successfully play badminton.

First, you have to move to get to the shuttlecock, so your badminton footwork has to be good. Second, you need to be able to hit the shuttlecock, and third, you need to hit it where you want it to go.

Basically, if you can’t get to where the flyer is or will be, then all the training and drills for shot selection, practice and tactics are absolutely useless.

Quick badminton footwork is crucial, as is the correct starting position. In order to move from a static position, your knees should be slightly bent and your weight on the balls of your feet so that your heels are barely touching the ground. For a right-handed player, his feet should be in a ’10 to 4′ clock position, ’20 to 2′ for lefties.

Your feet should be placed ‘off’ your shoulders. To check this, assume your normal posture and quickly look down. Check this out, I bet your stance isn’t wide enough.

With just a little upper body movement, you should be able to ‘drop’ in any direction. Any movement around the court is dictated by your ability to move your feet, so both preparation and balance are crucial.

In-game, a different, steeper stance may need to be used depending on the state of the game. For example, if you’re expecting to catch a spike, you’ll need a wide (and crouching) stance to reach or ‘take out’ the spike return.

In the short and long game, your badminton footwork will change and you will need a longer and narrower starting stance from front to back because the movement needed will generally be in those directions.

The next time you step out onto the court… look down at your feet and reflect on what is or isn’t happening to them, you’ll discover that improving your badminton footwork really does make a difference to your game. if you think and pay attention