Play a gentle forehand net shot
Practise a short return near the net with easy feeds and one adjustment at a time.
Give yourself an easy start
Choose a spot on your forehand side, right for a right-handed player and left for a left-handed player. Start close enough to reach the feed comfortably, leaving space between you, your racket and the net.
Warm up gently together. Clear the floor and check that nobody can walk through your practice area. Agree on a stop signal. Your partner throws from across the net, outside your swing and away from where your return will land. They let it land without hitting it back. Both of you stop before collecting shuttles.
Find a small, calm touch
A net shot goes from near the net to the front of the opposite court. Use the relaxed V-grip from your first rallies: hold the handle as if shaking hands. With the racket in front, turn the strings towards the shuttle and guide it gently over with a short movement. Bring the racket back ready afterwards.
For this exercise, ask for a feed you can meet just below net height. Aim to clear the net comfortably before trying to land closer to it. Leave difficult feeds; do not lean into the net to rescue them.
Try three short rounds
- Five rehearsals without a shuttle. Imagine the contact in front of you. Try a small movement, pause and check your balance. Your partner watches from outside your swing. Swap roles after five.
- Five easy feeds each. Your partner gently throws one shuttle underarm over the net to your agreed spot, waiting until you are ready. Play one net shot and stop. Count a playable feed as an attempt even if you miss; repeat an awkward feed.
- Five more with one change. If the shuttle keeps going too far, try a smaller movement. If it keeps hitting the net, ask for an easier feed. Choose only one change, try five playable feeds each and compare.
Notice where the shuttle lands and whether you stay balanced. These counts organise practice; you do not need five successful shots to finish. Keep the starting distance unchanged today. Stop if a movement hurts.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.