Badminton experts feel pulse: parallel steps, cross steps and step steps, how to use them, science is key

Professional men's singles footwork requires more energy and is not suitable for amateur players to study. I just started learning footwork. When front court backs off, a lot of training goes into parallel moves. I would like to ask if beginners should learn parallel steps? What are benefits of parallelism? It is very uncomfortable for me to take parallel steps, travel distance is short, speed is low, center of gravity is not stable, I want to try other footwork and ask for advice. (Kill hard and don't stop)

Your question is very good. I also often see many coaches, including professional coaches, using parallel strides when teaching golfers or teenagers how to run. However, your concept is wrong, at least not entirely right. Professional footwork is not synonymous with ability, it is professional footwork that can solve problem of insufficient ability.

The so-called professional footwork should be scientific, intelligent, labor-saving and fast. Thus, there is no difference between professional footwork and amateur footwork in footwork training, only difference between intelligent and unintelligent.

Badminton footwork includes parallel steps, cross steps and cushion steps. Depending on needs, we use one type of footwork or several steps. The type of footwork in and of itself is not good or bad, what matters is whether it is sensible and scientific in use.

The advantage of parallel walking is that it can be set up quickly and easily. The disadvantage is that footwork when moving long distances is too fragmented and overall speed is low. If you use parallel walking for a long time, there is also a problem with high calf strength. Consequently, there are more parallels used in rebounds and hangings in midfield, or attacks from both sides of middle half.

The advantage of cross step is that it is light, step is large, and speed of moving over long distances is fastest. The disadvantage is that adaptability is poor. Thus, farthest movement from backcourt to frontcourt is a lateral step or cross from midfield to frontcourt, and lateral step can also be used to catch a high ball in overhead area.

The advantage of boost is that it has a strong adaptability. Often, when last step isn't close yet, a little boost can solve problem. The disadvantage is that requirements for leg strength are too high, so it is not recommended for amateur golfers.

Summarizing, you can see that in modern badminton, parallel and cross steps are usually used. When to use parallel steps and when to use cross steps depends on needs at time. You have to think about it yourself to see what kind of footworksuits you better.

Why do I always wait for opponent's ball to go through net before I start? I'm so down It's same in doubles when partner kicks ball to opponent, and when opponent catches it, he thinks to retreat to defend himself, and it's too late. How to improve abilities in this area? (Terry Zhang)

To answer your questions, I think that, firstly, your singles footwork has not been well practiced and you have not mastered key singles footwork running skills; Although they are all related to footwork, problem is different from problem: in singles it is mainly on a technical level, but in doubles it is on a conscious level.

Since there is only one person involved in singles, all movement and catching ball is up to you, and after you hit ball, opponent controls position of opponent when hitting, timing and throwing technique. It can be said that solo footwork is mostly passive, so speed of our solo footwork depends on three parts: start time, movement speed, and return rhythm control.

Among them, start time depends entirely on when opponent makes a move, and initiative belongs to opponent. The rhythm of recoil is controlled according to timing of counterattack and space you leave for opponent, and initiative is also on side of opponent. You can only actively control your footwork while moving. Rationality, consistency, and mastery of your footwork is key to determining movement speed. So you have to solve your own problems, not only intelligently plan and improve your own footwork, but also practice start times. The moment your opponent hits ball is your starting point. To give yourself time for a leisurely start, you must also learn to control return rhythm. When it needs to be fast, you must hurry, and if you have too much time, you must slow down. Only with good feedback can there be smooth footwork.

For double strikes, you need to strengthen your basic sense of coordination. Stand forward and backward when attacking, stand left and right when defending, if your partner moves to left you must compensate to right, etc. These are most basic double awareness. How to cooperate with your companions is to fix and program this consciousness until it becomes a subconscious reaction.

It appears from your description that you have not had professional training in dual awareness, so most urgent thing is to ask a professional trainer to teach you this basic knowledge of dual awareness. In addition, during game, you need to constantly remind yourself of yourself. After a period of practice, you can gradually become proficient until you master it. Remember, any progress is worth it, come on!

Pedaling sideways at top of head is always a process of stepping back one step and then turning back. How does body have to apply its force so that it can move sideways with one blow?

(Shanghai Chen Jixiang)

It's a matter of habit. This means you didn't adopt standard footwork instruction when you first started learning footwork and now you want to change it, right? The key to starting footwork on time is rhythm, which is to see if your starting steps are in time when opponent hits ball. Thus, you should start improving your footwork from very beginning. If you are holding racquet with your right hand, key to start is to hit ground hard with your right foot, raise racquet and turn around, and then cross step.

This footwork exercise should start without ball. The key is to kick with right foot and raise racket to turn around. The strength comes from legs, but arms that lead legs go first. With skillful practice, you will be able to connect a high ball. In short, step by step, and finally can be used skillfully.


September 18, 2023