Defensive Badminton Underarm Clear (Underarm High Lob)

Badminton Underarm Clear

Level	: Beginner
Type	: Defensive
Pre-requisite	: None

Introduction

The badminton underarm clear serves the same purpose as the overhead badminton clear, except that this shot requires you to perform an underarm stroke.

You will usually need to perform the underarm badminton clear when your opponent hits a drop shot (i.e. when the shuttle lands at the front of the court).

This is a very common and useful technique. Beginners SHOULD first master the underarm clears before proceeding to learn more complicated badminton shots.

Power of the Underarm Clear

Unlike overhead badminton shots, it's fairly easy to have enough power for an underarm stroke. This is because you hit the shuttle from the front of your court to the back of your opponent's court (i.e. shorter distance compared to hitting from the back of your court).

A GENTLE underarm stroke with CORRECT TECHNIQUE (along with the flick of your wrist) is enough to send the shuttle to the back of your opponent's court.

The badminton underarm clear will usually require you to lunge forward to take the shuttle. As you move forward, you will gather some momentum. Therefore some degree of this momentum will be transferred into your underarm swinging motion.

Take this factor into account. Control your strength so that you don't hit the shuttle too hard and make it fly pass the baseline!

This tutorial demonstrates the badminton underarm clear using the forehand and backhand stroke. It's easier to perform these techniques if you know how to correctly perform the:

Tutorial (Underarm Forehand)

1. Preparation Phase

From a ready position, lunge forward. Make sure your racket arm is ready to take the shot (positioned in front of you)

Adopt the forehand grip if you're performing the forehand underarm clear.

2. Preloading Phase (Phase to Accumulate Power)

Do not grip your racket too tightly. This enables better wrist action.

The picture above shows you the preloading phase for the underarm clear.

3. Execution of the Underarm Forehand

Perform the underarm swinging motion with the CORRECT technique.

As you make contact with the shuttle, use your wrist to direct the shuttle upwards, towards your opponent's baseline.

Complete the swing even after you have hit the shuttle. Allow your racket to follow-through so that the shuttle you returned has a good flight trajectory.

In this case, continue swinging upwards until your racket reaches a certain height (see picture above).

After the follow-through, return to your base (starting point).

Tutorial (Underarm Backhand)

1. Preparation Phase

Unlike the forehand clear, change to the backhand grip if you're performing the backhand underarm clear.

2. Preloading Phase (Phase to Accumulate Power)

Same as the underarm forehand, don't grip your racket too tightly.

3. Execution of the Underarm Backhand

Use your wrist to direct the shuttle upwards, towards the back of your opponents court.

Complete the swing by following through! Return to your base after that.

Important Tips/Advice

Take note that as you lunge and move forward to the front, your will gather momentum. This momentum will be transferred into your underarm swing.

If you're lunging forward very quickly, the momentum will be greater. Thus, you should put less strength into your swing to avoid hitting the shuttle too far!
Badminton underarm strokes do not require much strength. A GENTLE underarm swinging motion (with your wrist action) is sufficient to perform a good clear.
FOLLOW THROUGH with your swing! This ensures the shuttle flies upwards and towards your opponent's baseline. If you don't follow through with your swing, your shuttle will most likely land at the middle area of your opponent's court... giving him an opportunity to smash or kill!
If you can perform this technique very well, you can use your underarm strokes to perform the attacking clear. It is a clear with an offensive purpose.