The cross-court net shot: when to send it and how to hit it
How to play a net shot diagonally across the net, from the forehand or backhand side, and why it needs a balanced, early contact.
What it is for
A cross-court net shot travels from your forecourt diagonally to the opponent's forecourt. It makes the opponent change direction and take the shuttle late, which can force an error or an uncontrolled reply.
When to use it
- You are on balance and taking the shuttle early.
- Your opponent is out of position or off balance.
The warning from the manual
Taking the shuttle early is the key to putting an opponent under pressure. But play this shot with care when you are off balance or under pressure: it can leave space that your opponent uses with their next shot. The manual points to the forehand side after a backhand cross-court net shot, and to the backhand side after a forehand one.
Backhand version
- Prepare. Relaxed basic grip, relaxed reach, racket head slightly above the hand.
- Backswing. Keep a relaxed basic grip, or put the thumb along the corner of the handle. Extend the arm and rotate the forearm inwards. The racket head sits slightly outside the line of the shuttle's flight.
- Forward swing. Rotate the arm outwards, keeping a slight angle between the forearm and the racket. Contact with the shuttle is short.
- Follow through. Minimal. Anticipate your opponent's reply.
Forehand version
- Prepare. Basic grip, relaxed reach, racket head slightly above the hand.
- Backswing. Extend the arm and rotate the forearm outwards, so that the racket head goes slightly outside the line of flight.
- Forward swing. Rotate the arm inwards, keeping the angle between forearm and racket. Contact is short.
- Follow through. Minimal. Anticipate the reply.
Other ways to go cross-court
The Level 1 manual lists four ways to change the direction of any stroke: take the shuttle further in front of the body, change the grip to turn the racket face, bend the wrist to turn the racket face, or slice the shuttle. See also straight or cross-court: four ways to change direction.
Limits
The manual presents these as Level 2 strokes without distances or angles. A cross-court net shot is a risk: if it is not tight to the net, it is easy to attack. Practise it with a partner first, and aim to be on balance each time.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.