Blocking a smash in singles: straight or cross-court
How a block sent straight or cross-court makes the smasher run further, and what the racket and the legs do on each side.
The idea
In singles, the block is a soft reply to a smash, played from your midcourt to your opponent's midcourt or forecourt. The BWF manual gives these reasons for it:
- to change defence into attack;
- to deny the opponent an attacking opportunity;
- to make the smasher cover more distance to follow up.
Which direction you choose changes that distance:
- A cross-court block off a straight smash makes the attacker cover more ground to follow up.
- A straight block off a wide (cross-court) smash does the same, because it sends the shuttle back to where the attacker is no longer standing.
Common to both sides
- Use a relaxed basic grip and carry the racket out in front of the body.
- Time your split-step with the opponent's stroke. On the backhand side, take a wide stance, parallel to the net.
- Lunge out to the side. The manual shows the lunge on the non-racket leg for the backhand, and notes that it can also be done on the racket leg.
- Recover the racket quickly, ready for the next shot.
- To stop the smasher from following up with a spin net shot, block so the shuttle travels slightly further into the court.
Backhand block
- Keep a relaxed basic grip, or move the thumb along the corner of the handle.
- Lunge sideways, turn the upper and lower arm inwards, and make an angle between forearm and racket.
- Cross-court: turn the forearm outwards, hyperextend the wrist and guide the shuttle across the court.
- Straight: turn the forearm in slightly and push through the shuttle.
Forehand block
- Lunge out to the side and reach out.
- Take the racket back by turning the forearm outwards and extending the wrist back.
- Cross-court: turn the forearm inwards, straighten the wrist, tighten the grip and guide the shuttle across.
- Straight: turn the forearm in slightly, straighten the wrist and push through the shuttle.
Practice
An overhead hand feed from a partner can simulate a straight smash. The throw has limited pace, so move to racket feeding as soon as you can. Alternate straight and cross-court blocks and notice how far the feeder has to travel.
Limits
The block is described by the manual at Level 2 and the details of wrist and arm movement are easy to misread from text. Doubles blocks follow different aims: see our lessons on doubles defence. If the wrist hurts after repeated blocks, rest and ask a qualified coach.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.