The overhead forehand clear: stance, contact point and follow-through
How to send the shuttle high and deep from the back of the court, step by step.
What the clear is for
The clear sends the shuttle high to the back of the opponent's court. Its job is to push the opponent back and to buy you time to get back to your base. It is the first overhead shot to learn, and the smash and the drop use the same preparation.
Step by step
The points below come from the coaching page of Badminton House.
- Turn side-on. Feet about shoulder-width apart, non-racket shoulder and foot towards the net, weight on the racket-side leg with the knee slightly bent. Raise your free hand to track the shuttle and balance.
- Take the racket back early. High and behind the shoulder. A late backswing usually means a late contact.
- Keep a loose forehand grip. A relaxed V between thumb and index finger. Squeeze briefly at impact, then relax.
- Hit high and slightly in front. The contact is at the highest comfortable point, slightly in front of the hitting shoulder, with the arm extended but not locked. A shuttle beside your ear or behind your head is too late.
- Use the body. Push from the legs, rotate hips and trunk, let the shoulder and elbow follow, finish with the forearm turning over. The body creates the power, not the arm alone.
- Finish long and across. Let the racket continue in a relaxed arc across the body. Stopping short is often a sign of tension before contact.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Square to the net. Turn side-on before the swing.
- Arm-only swing. Start with the legs and the turn.
- Contact behind the head. Move earlier and get under the shuttle.
- Panhandle grip or gripping too high. Move lower on the handle and return to the loose V.
- Short clears. Aim for the deep corners; a short clear gives the opponent time to attack.
A simple practice
Start with shadow swings, without a shuttle, until the turn and the throwing action feel automatic. Then ask a partner to feed high shuttles and aim for the back corners. Use one cue: "high contact, loose hand, turn the forearm, finish across".
Limits
This is a coaching description from one main source, not a medical or physical prescription. If a shoulder or elbow hurts, stop and see a professional.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.