To hit a drive in badminton, hold the racket a little shorter than usual, keep it up in front of your body, and meet the shuttle at around shoulder or chest height with a short, fast swing that sends it flat and low, just over the net tape, parallel to the floor. Use the forehand grip on your racket side and the thumb grip on your backhand side, contact the shuttle in front of your body, and reset the racket immediately. The drive is a speed shot, so a compact swing and quick recovery matter more than power.
Drives are most common in doubles, where pairs trade fast, flat exchanges trying to force a lift or a weak return, but they are also useful in singles for counterattacking. This guide covers when to drive, forehand and backhand technique, where to aim, drills, and the mistakes that turn drives into easy kills for your opponent.
What is a drive in badminton?
A drive is a fast, flat shot hit from the mid-court at around shoulder height. Unlike a clear, which travels high, or a drop, which falls steeply, a drive travels horizontally just above the net. It gives the opponent very little time to react and makes it hard for them to attack, because the shuttle never rises high enough to smash.
Drive compared with other shots
| Shot | Trajectory | Hit from | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive | Flat and fast, just over the net | Mid-court, shoulder height | Keep the shuttle down, apply pressure |
| Push | Flat but softer, landing mid-court | Front or mid-court | Place the shuttle into gaps, avoid lifting |
| Clear | High and deep | Rear court, overhead | Buy time, push opponent back |
| Smash | Steep and fast, downward | Rear or mid-court, overhead | Win the point or force a weak return |
| Block | Short, soft, to the net | Mid-court, in defense | Return a smash short |
When to use a drive
The shuttle is at shoulder or chest height. Drives work when the shuttle is too low to smash but high enough to hit flat.
You want to keep the shuttle down. In doubles, the side that lifts usually ends up defending. Drives keep the rally flat and avoid lifting.
Returning a smash. A drive return, sometimes called a counter-drive, can turn defense into attack if the smash is not steep.
An opponent is out of position. A fast drive into space or at the body gives them little time to react.
How to hit a forehand drive, step by step
1. Ready position. Stand in the mid-court with knees bent, weight on the balls of your feet, and the racket up in front of your body.
2. Use a short forehand grip. Hold the racket slightly higher up the handle for quicker control.
3. Step toward the shuttle. Move sideways with a small step, often with the racket-side foot.
4. Short backswing. Bring the racket back only a little. The power comes from forearm rotation and a quick squeeze of the grip, not a long swing.
5. Contact in front. Meet the shuttle in front of your body at around shoulder height, with the racket face square to your target.
6. Short follow-through. Stop the swing quickly and bring the racket back to the ready position.
How to hit a backhand drive, step by step
1. Switch to the thumb grip. Rotate the racket slightly and place your thumb flat on the wide back bevel.
2. Keep the racket in front. Hold it in front of your body with the elbow slightly raised and pointing toward the shuttle.
3. Push with the thumb. Use a short swing and push through with the thumb as you rotate the forearm.
4. Contact in front. Hit the shuttle in front of your body, not beside or behind you.
5. Reset quickly. Return to a neutral position ready for the next exchange.
Where to aim your drives
At the body. Drives aimed at the opponent’s racket-side shoulder or hip are hard to return cleanly.
Down the middle. In doubles, a drive between the two players can cause hesitation over who takes it.
Down the line. Straight drives along the sideline travel a shorter distance and arrive faster.
Into space. If an opponent has moved to one side, drive into the open court.
Drills to improve your drives
Drive rallies. With a partner, stand in the mid-court and hit drives back and forth, aiming to keep the shuttle flat and just over the net.
Forehand-backhand alternation. Your partner alternates drives to your forehand and backhand, forcing fast grip changes.
Wall drills. Hit drives against a wall from a few meters away to build speed and reaction.
Two-versus-one drives. Two players drive at one player to build fast hands and quick recovery.
Target drills. Place targets at the body areas and sidelines and aim drives at them.
Drive tactics in doubles
Win the drive battle by staying forward. The pair that takes the shuttle earlier, closer to the net, usually wins the exchange. Step in and meet drives high rather than letting them come to you.
Change pace. After several fast drives, a softer push into the mid-court or a slow block to the net can catch opponents leaning back.
Follow a good drive. If your drive forces a weak, rising reply, move forward to attack it with a kill or a steep push.
Know when to stop driving. If your opponents are winning the exchanges, switch to pushes or net shots rather than lifting.
Common drive mistakes
Swinging too big. A long backswing makes you late for the next exchange. Keep it short.
Hitting upward. If the shuttle rises, your opponent can attack. Contact the shuttle in front and keep the racket face square.
Letting the shuttle drop too low. Contact the shuttle early, at shoulder or chest height, rather than waiting for it to fall.
Standing flat-footed. Stay on the balls of your feet so you can move quickly.
Using the wrong grip. Using a forehand grip for backhand drives weakens the shot.
Not resetting. After driving, bring the racket straight back up in front of you.
A note on health
Fast drive exchanges rely on quick forearm and wrist action, which can strain the elbow and wrist if you grip too tightly or practice excessively. Warm up, keep the grip relaxed, and build training volume gradually. Seek advice from a medical professional if you develop persistent pain.
Frequently asked questions
What is a drive shot in badminton?
A drive is a fast, flat shot hit from around shoulder height in the mid-court that travels parallel to the floor, just over the net.
Is the drive used more in singles or doubles?
Drives are used much more in doubles, where teams try to keep the shuttle down and avoid lifting, but they are also useful in singles for counterattacks.
How do you hit a faster drive?
Keep the swing short, relax the grip until contact, squeeze at impact, and use forearm rotation. Contact the shuttle early and in front of your body.
