A hit at 1/64 speed

The main points in 30 seconds

A high-speed camera shows what the eye can't: how the racket meets the shuttle and why the index finger matters on the backhand.

• Hit so the strings meet the cork and the feathers almost together — the shuttle then flies straight. Hitting only the cork makes it tumble.
• A late contact pushes the racket back and the shuttle goes up. Meet it a little earlier.
• On the backhand the index finger holds the racket at the last moment; the thumb only supports from the side.
• Pressing with the thumb tilts the racket face back and the shuttle flies out.