Location, Location, Location: Understanding the Impact of Shot Placements in Badminton Men’s Double at 2022 World Championship

Abstract

Men doubles badminton is fast and considered among the most intense competition in the sport. Players must seize every opportunity and seek to take initiative to gain advantage in the rally. Shot location from the serve to the end of the point is critical and players train countless hours in order to execute the most advantageous location in the heat of competitive play. This study examined the impact of service location, location of winning points, forced /unforced errors, and the role of backcourt smash in winning performance at the 2022 Tokyo World Championships Men Doubles Semi-finals and Finals games. The authors analyzed videotapes of the matches and calculated the frequency of locations and their relationships to winning points. Results showed that when players took the initiative to create an offensive opportunity in the first three shots, they played to their strengths and held a technical advantage. Additionally, during rallies, the team who controlled the front/middle court were more likely to win the point. Implications of the study include insight for coaches to deliver essential information regarding the opponent's affinity for location and to stimulate future research using video analysis for improving men double tactics and point control.