The goal of a smash is to completely overpower the defender, or to force a return so weak that your player can put it away on the next shot.

Smashes away from the opponent, but aimed within racquet distance, allow the opponent to react with a full swing that can produce a difficult return. So where's a better place to aim the smash?

A good spot is right at the opponents' forehand hip, that is, the hip of the hand holding the racquet. This location cramps opponents, forcing them to step away or contort the elbow to get the racquet on the shuttle. The result is usually a weak, poorly aimed return.

References:
1. Eugene Kumekawa, “Defense in doubles.” Washington State Badminton Association Newsletter, Summer 1995. Found on the Elliot Bay Badminton Club website, www.fortunebiz.com/ElliotBayBadminton/index.html
2. Tony Grice, Badminton - 2nd Edition, Human Kinetics, 2008,   www.humankinetics.com

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