To hit a clear in badminton, move behind the shuttle, turn side-on with your non-racket shoulder toward the net, raise your non-racket arm to track the shuttle, bring the racket back with your elbow high, then rotate your hips and shoulders and swing up to contact the shuttle high and slightly in front of you, using fast forearm rotation (pronation) to send it high and deep to your opponent’s back line. Recover to your base position immediately after the follow-through. A good clear buys time, pushes your opponent away from the net, and sets up your next attack.
The clear is one of the first overhead shots most players learn, and it remains essential at every level, especially in singles. This guide explains the types of clear, forehand and backhand technique, footwork, drills, and the common mistakes that make clears fall short.
Types of clear
| Clear | Trajectory | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive (high) clear | Very high, dropping almost vertically near the back line | When you are under pressure and need time to recover your position |
| Attacking (flat) clear | Lower and faster, just over the opponent’s racket reach | When your opponent is standing too far forward or moving slowly back |
| Forehand clear | Hit from the racket side, overhead | The most common and powerful version |
| Round-the-head clear | Hit on the non-racket side with a forehand grip, reaching over the head | Avoiding a weaker backhand from the rear corner |
| Backhand clear | Hit from the non-racket side with the back toward the net | When you cannot get around the shuttle in time |
| Underarm clear (lift) | Hit from below from near the net to the back court | Returning drop shots or net shots to push the opponent back |
A well-placed defensive clear lands within a short distance of the back boundary line, often right on the line. An attacking clear must pass over the opponent’s reach; if it is too low, it becomes an easy target for a smash.
Forehand overhead clear technique (right-handed player)
1. Move early. Use a split step as your opponent hits, then turn and move back with chasse steps or a crossover so you arrive behind the shuttle, not under or in front of it.
2. Turn side-on. Point your left shoulder toward the net, with your right foot back and your weight on it.
3. Raise the non-racket arm. Lift your left arm toward the shuttle. It helps with balance, timing, and body rotation.
4. Prepare the racket. Use a relaxed forehand grip. Bring the racket up and back with your elbow high, roughly at shoulder height or above.
5. Rotate and swing. Drive from the legs, rotate the hips and shoulders toward the net, and bring the elbow forward and up. The racket head drops behind you briefly, then accelerates up toward the shuttle.
6. Contact high and in front. Hit the shuttle at the highest comfortable point, slightly in front of your body. Rotate the forearm (pronation) and squeeze the grip at contact to add speed.
7. Follow through and recover. Let the racket follow through naturally across and down. Step forward with your back foot, often as part of a scissor kick, and recover to the center.
Backhand clear technique
The backhand clear is one of the hardest shots in badminton for beginners, because the power comes mainly from timing, forearm rotation, and a firm thumb push rather than body rotation.
1. Turn your back to the net. Move toward the rear backhand corner and turn so your back faces the net, with your racket-side foot stepping toward the corner last.
2. Use the backhand grip. Place your thumb flat on the wide back bevel of the handle.
3. Lead with the elbow. Point the elbow up toward the shuttle, with the racket head below and relaxed.
4. Snap up and through. Swing upward, rotating the forearm (supination) and pushing with the thumb at contact. Contact the shuttle high and slightly behind your body line.
5. Recover quickly. Turn back toward the net and move to your base immediately.
Many advanced players avoid the backhand clear by moving early to play a round-the-head forehand instead, but a reliable backhand clear is still valuable when the shuttle gets behind you.
When to use a clear
In singles. Clears are a core rally shot. Use them to move your opponent to the back corners, create space at the net, and buy time when you are out of position.
In doubles. Clears are used less often because they give the opponents time to smash. Pairs usually clear only when under heavy pressure or to reset a rally.
Mixing shots. A clear is most effective when it looks similar to your drop shot and smash. Using the same preparation for all three makes it harder for your opponent to read which shot is coming.
Drills to improve your clear
Shadow swings. Practice the full overhead motion without a shuttle, focusing on the turn, elbow position, and forearm rotation.
Clear-to-clear rallies. With a partner, hit clears back and forth from the rear court, aiming for the back boundary line. Count how many land within the last meter or so.
Target practice. Place towels or markers near the back line in each corner and aim at them.
Feeding drill. A coach or partner feeds high serves or lifts to your rear court, and you move back, clear, and recover to base each time.
Clear, drop, and smash combination. Alternate shots from the same preparation to practice disguise.
Common clear mistakes
Hitting from under the shuttle. Arriving late forces you to hit straight up, making the clear short. Move early and get behind the shuttle.
Using only the arm. Without leg drive and body rotation, clears lack depth. Use your whole body.
Gripping too tightly. A tight grip slows the racket head. Stay relaxed until contact, then squeeze.
Dropping the elbow. A low elbow leads to a pushing motion and weak shots. Keep the elbow high in preparation.
Staying square to the net. Facing the net fully prevents rotation. Turn side-on before swinging.
Admiring the shot. Watching the clear instead of recovering to base leaves the court open for your opponent’s drop shot.
Clearing too flat at the wrong time. An attacking clear that is too low is easily intercepted and smashed.
A note on health
Repeated overhead shots put stress on the shoulder and elbow. Warm up your shoulders with arm circles and light resistance band exercises, build rotator cuff strength, and use correct technique rather than forcing power with the arm alone. If you feel persistent shoulder or elbow pain, rest and consult a medical professional or physical therapist.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my clears not reach the back of the court?
Short clears usually come from arriving late, hitting with only the arm, or gripping too tightly. Move behind the shuttle, turn side-on, rotate your body, and use relaxed forearm rotation with a squeeze at contact.
What is the difference between a clear and a lift?
A clear usually refers to an overhead shot from the rear court sent high and deep. A lift is an underarm shot, often from near the net, also sent high to the back of the court.
Should I use a defensive or attacking clear?
Use a defensive clear when you need time to recover and an attacking clear when your opponent is too far forward or slow to move back.
