Badminton Attacking Clear (Attacking Lob)

Introduction

The badminton attacking clear (or attacking lob) is basically a normal badminton lob, but with an offensive purpose.

The attacking clear is used to get your opponent out of position to return a weak shot. If you’re fast enough, the attacking clear can surprise your opponent and help you win a rally!

For a defensive clear, the shuttle will be flying high up and land at the back of your opponent’s court. The badminton attacking clear will have the shuttle flying much lower than the defensive clear. This enables the shuttle to quickly reach the back of your opponent’s baseline.

Underarm Attacking Clear Trajectory

Since the shuttle will be flying very low (almost just above the badminton net), it is fairly easy for your opponent to intercept the shot.

Attacking Clear Along the Sidelines

Therefore, I highly recommend that you perform the attacking clear along the sidelines (see picture above). By doing this, it’ll be difficult for your opponent to intercept the shot. Even if he does, it most likely be a weak return.

The best place to perform the attacking clear is when the shuttle reaches the 2 red dots illustrated in the picture above (the 2 edges at the front of the court).

Imagine if you perform the attacking clear from the back of the court, your opponent has a high chance to catch your shot! He/she will be able to get into the position in time to intercept your attacking clear.

Therefore, the attacking clear is best performed at the 2 red dots mentioned above. In most instances, you will be executing the attacking clear using the badminton underarm forehand and badminton underarm backhand strokes.

In order to perform this badminton shot perfectly, you MUST have excellent underarm strokes technique.

Tutorial

This tutorial shows you how to perform the badminton attacking clear using the underarm forehand and backhand stroke.

1. Preparation Phase

From a ready position, lunge forward to front of the court. Adopt the backhand grip for the underarm backhand stroke and forehand grip for the underarm forehand stroke.

2. Preloading Phase

As you move forward to the net, make sure you raise your racket arm to the height where you’re going to commence your underarm swing motion.

At the same time, your wrist should be bending inwards towards your body so that you are ready to flick your wrist as you make contact with the shuttle.

3. Execution

DO NOT perform a hard swing or a strong flick with your wrist wrist for the attacking clear. This will make you hit the shuttle pass your opponent’s baseline.

Remember that as you move forward, you will gather some momentum.

When you perform your underarm swing, some of this momentum will be transferred into the swing. Therefore, it’s important that you take this momentum into account! Avoid performing a strong swing or else the shuttle will fly out.

Most of the power for the attacking clear comes from your underarm swinging motion. However in this instance, a gentle swing is sufficient to bring the shuttle to the back of the court.

Use minimum wrist action to generate the power for the attacking clear. Your wrist plays an important in directing the shuttle towards the back of your opponent’s court.

A follow-through of the racket is very IMPORTANT. Make sure you follow-through with your swing straight towards the back of your opponent’s baseline (not towards the ceiling or else the shuttle will fly high, not low).

This allows a perfect flight trajectory of the shuttlecock.

Important Tips/Advice

1. The badminton attacking clear is usually performed from the 2 red dots at the front side of the court (mentioned above).

   There’s no point performing the attacking clear from the middle or back of your court. Your opponent will be able to intercept your attacking clear easily.

2. Do not exert TOO MUCH strength into your underarm swing. The shuttle will fly too far and land outside. Also use minimum wrist action.

   Take note that as you move forward, there will be momentum. Due to this, a very gentle swing motion will be sufficient to send the shuttle to the back. When you focus less on power, you can concentrate better on accuraccy.

3. A follow-through of your swing is necessary. Make sure you perform a follow-through towards the direction of the back of the court. This lets shuttle fly forwards and not upwards (i.e. flatter trajectory).
4. Use this badminton shot wisely. Use it when you anticipate that your opponent is less likely to intercept it.