A few days ago I posted a Monologue video which explains Han Jian’s method for the slice shot. The small swing which is done using fingers enables this method for the slice shot. But, the slice shot still can be done using a larger swing. Let’s discuss the differences.

Last week, I discussed how the slice shot is done. The glancing hit with the racquet head angled during the hit makes the shuttle go in the direction which the racquet head is facing. I did not mention how big or small the swing needs to be to execute the hit. This week, I will be focusing on that.

The slice is already deceptive enough with the 2 elements I mentioned last week. The opposite direction which the shuttle goes when compared with the swing, and the lower energy in the shuttle due to the spin introduced to the shuttle during the hit. Now, using Han Jian’s method there is another element of deception which is added: the speed of the swing.

Using a small swing to hit the shuttle makes it impossible for the opponent to see what type of swing it is. This is because with the small swing, the lob, attacking lob, drop shot, slice and smash all have the same stance before the swing. The swing is also much smaller and faster, which allows the player to hide his intention before the shot, and then hide the swing he did after the hit. The only way for the opponent to know what shot it was would be by watching the flight of the shuttle.

This type of deception can only be done using a small swing like what Han Jian taught us. When swinging with the entire arm to do a slice, the movement of the arm gives it away that it is a slice. The moment the player starts the swing, the opponent can see which direction he is swinging at. And because the swing is a big one, the opponent can notice that the player’s body is angled in a different direction from his swing. That is a telltale sign that the player is doing a slice.

Slice

The 2 short videos above show the slice from multiple angles. Now compare this with the nobody turn lob shown in the video below:

This lob is done without a body turn on the forehand side. The overall form for hitting this lob and the slice is similar. And, during a match when the players are running all over the court chasing shuttles, it is impossible to see what the opponent is doing until after the hit and the trajectory of the shuttle is observable. By then the shuttle is already on the player’s side of the court, and he would have to scramble to get the shot.

This video and explanation for the lob can be found on the lob page:

In the slice 2 video, I do both a slice where I pull down the arm after the hit, and also cancelling the swing after the hit. And when viewed at full speed, the swings are similar to the nobody turn lob video. The main difference can be observed on the full frontal view angles in the slice 2 video. When slowed down, it was quite obvious that the racquet was hitting the shuttle at an angle. But when it was viewed at full speed, it was impossible to notice.

When the arm is pulled down after the hit, it becomes even more unnoticeable. The evidence that the hit was done at an angle is hidden. The opponent would not be able to see the difference at all, and only the trajectory of the shuttle will tell what shot was done.

Reversed Slice

For reversed slice, it is a similar story. The videos below shows the reversed slice done in multiple angles and in slow motion.

The video above shows the reversed slice in slow motion from multiple angles. Comparing this with a lob with body turn, and the overall movement is similar.

The body turn lob does a swing which is similar to the reversed slice. The main difference which is not observable in the swing, but it is in the racquet head. The player turns the racquet head to hit the shuttle at an angle, and not pull his arm down in an angle to hit the shuttle. This makes the swing look identical to a standard overhead lob.

This is most apparent when viewed from the from front angle when we can see the racquet head turning as the player swings the racquet to hit. And this is only apparent when viewed in slow motion. At full speed, it is too quick to see the difference. Again, the player will only see what the shot was from the shuttle’s trajectory.

Conclusion

When the player is unable to see what his opponent is doing, he will need to go into a neutral defensive stance and be ready for anything. This stance means the player will be static in the middle, and will have to exert more force in order to move again. The player would definitely be using a split step to help him move faster, but the player is still starting his movement from the centre of the court in a static position. He will have no put in the extra energy to get moving again. There is no momentum from the previous movement which he can feed off.

Needless to say, this will sap the energy from the player quickly. This is unlike the situation when the player can see what shot the opponent is going to hit, and in which direction. The player can keep moving without having the stop in the centre as he is able to tell if the opponent is going for an attack or a lob to the back. So, when he can see the opponent is not going for an attack, he will be able to use his momentum from his current movement and direct it to the other direction he wants to go. He can delay that decision until after the shot is hit, as he can definitely see if the shot coming next is a threat or not. And when he sees the opponent gearing up for an attack, only then would he return to the centre and get into a defensive position.

Playing against an opponent with good deception is extremely tiring and difficlut. I know this first hand from the training sessions with Han Jian. When he is at the back of the court controlling us in training, it is hell. Every shot is a lung busting run. Because I am not able to see what is coming next, I have to constantly be on my toes, taking up a defensive position in the centre of the court every time. And after just a few minutes in, I already feel out of breath.

Deceptive players can do this easily with their skill. They can tire out their opponents simply from the threat of their deception. They do not need to do it every time, but when they use it, the opponent is definitely in trouble. And this is the threat which will help them outlast their opponent. This is what made Han Jian such a formidable player.

That’s it for this entry.

Until the next entry, eat well, get plenty of rest and keep the badminton going!