2004 Rudy Hartono badminton coaching clinic

One thing I learned from Hartono that many
other coaches dont emphasise enough is that other
then the upper body executing fine strokes as in golf and the
footwork of the lower body, it is the leg strength necessary to impart agility,balance and recovery that is the key..Badminton being played in a small space is in some ways like Boxing or Karate, it is paramount to maintain balance and recovery and the ability to spring back to base ready for the next move.This can be seen when Hartono always keeps his lead leg forward ready to rush the net or spring backwards and he seldom loses balance.Badminton is about hitting penetrating shots to put the opponent off-balance and then following up with the finishing touch to the weak or expected return.Hartono's forte was his deception and reading and anticipation of his opponent's movements. very much similar to Muhamad Ali in boxing,and different from tennis where a rush to the net to volley leaves the player exposed to say,a lob.Of course people like Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei have taken it even further,with diving saves and then recoiling like a spring.