Why do some shots fly low and fast across the court while others soar high?
That’s usually a forehand drive in action.
It’s not just about power. A forehand drive is a tactical shot designed to keep your opponent under pressure.
What Exactly Is a Forehand Drive?
A forehand drive is a low, fast and flat shot.
Unlike a clear, which goes high and deep, a drive stays close to the net, moving horizontally. It is quick, direct and hard to intercept.
Beginners often confuse it with a smash. The key difference: a drive doesn’t have a steep downward angle. It’s fast but stays level.
When to Use a Forehand Drive?
Timing and situation are crucial. You typically use a forehand drive when:
- Keeping the shuttle low: To prevent your opponent from attacking from the net.
- Countering flat shots: If your opponent plays a drive, responding with another keeps the rally tense.
- Creating openings: A well-placed drive can force your opponent to move sideways, opening space elsewhere.
- Maintaining pace: Drives are excellent for fast exchanges in doubles matches.
In short, the forehand drive is a control and pressure tool, not just a power play.
Forehand Drive in Singles vs Doubles:
- Singles: Drives are used less often but can surprise an opponent. A fast horizontal shot to the body or side can create weak returns.
- Doubles: This is where the drive shines. Quick flat drives keep the shuttle low, reduce reaction time, and dominate mid-court rallies.
Doubles teams often use continuous drives to wear down opponents and force mistakes.
How to Execute a Forehand Drive?
- Grip: Use a basic forehand grip.
- Stance: Slightly bend knees and stay ready on the balls of your feet.
- Swing: Keep your racket almost parallel to the floor. Swing forward using wrist and forearm.
- Contact Point: Hit the shuttle around waist height.
- Follow Through: Keep it short and controlled, directing the shuttle flat and fast.
The focus is speed and placement, not height or power.
Common Mistakes:
- Swinging too steeply → turns the drive into a weak clear
- Hitting too softly → shuttle easily intercepted
- Standing too far back → loses the low trajectory advantage
- Ignoring footwork → even a perfect drive becomes ineffective if you can’t recover quickly
Personal Experience:
I remember a doubles match where my partner and I kept using short forehand drives.
The opponents struggled to keep up. One small adjustment to make . To keep the shuttle low and flat. That changed the rhythm of the game entirely.
It’s subtle. It’s tactical. And it works.
Why Forehand Drives Matter?
A forehand drive is more than just a shot:
- Keeps rallies fast
- Controls the mid-court
- Forces errors
- Creates attacking opportunities
Mastering it makes you unpredictable and versatile.
Final Thought:
The forehand drive is a strategic, low and fast shot that keeps opponents on their toes.
It’s not flashy like a smash, but in the right moments, it can win points quietly and efficiently.
Next time you play, try adding short, flat drives. Notice how the pace of the rally changes instantly.