The clear from the back court
The clear sends the shuttle high and deep into the opponent’s back court. It buys you time and moves your opponent back.
When to play it
Play the clear when you are under pressure in your back court and need time to recover your position, or to move your opponent away from the net.
How to play it
- Turn sideways early: non-racket shoulder towards the net, racket up behind you.
- Move behind the shuttle so you can hit it in front of your body, at the highest point you can reach.
- Throw the racket head up and forward – the power comes from the rotation of the body and the forearm, not from the arm alone.
- Follow through across your body and step back to the centre of the court.
Common mistakes
- Hitting the shuttle too far behind your head – the clear stays short.
- Standing square to the net – you lose rotation and power.
- Staying where you hit – the next shot catches you out of position.
Drill
Two players, one half of the court each: clear to clear, aiming at the last metre in front of the back line. Count clears that land in that zone; change the hitting side after ten.