Singles badminton is a sport of extreme movement. A match is won not only by the quality of the shots but, above all, by the player's ability to effectively cover the four corners of the court and consistently return to an optimal central position. The 6-Corner System is the fundamental method used by coaches to teach the footwork necessary to transform defense into attack.

The Principle of the 6 Corners and Their Objectives

The six corners are the targets the player must reach to hit the shuttlecock. They consist of the four outer corners of the court and the two intermediate points at the net. Mastering movement to these six zones allows for control of the game:

• Net, Backhand (Left Side): Requires cross-steps and a forward lunge for a precise drop shot or a net kill.

• Net, Forehand (Right Side): Reached by a forward lunge and a slide for volleys and net kills.

• Middle of Net (Center): A crucial interception zone, often reached by a quick lunge or shuffle steps for a volley or interception.

• Rear, Backhand (Left Side): Covered by shuffle steps and a backhand clear for defensive clearance.

• Rear, Center: Requires quick shuffle steps for executing a smash or a powerful clear.

• Rear, Forehand (Right Side): Reached by a large attacking step (lunge) to execute an offensive clear.

Footwork: The Key to Speed

Movement between these six points must be explosive and economical. It relies on the principle of central recovery.

• The Shuffle Step: Used to cover short and medium distances (between the center and the net or the sides). The player never crosses their feet to remain balanced and reactive.

• The Forward Lunge: This is the final movement to reach a shuttlecock at the net. The player takes a big step forward, racket lowered, and then uses the back leg to immediately push back towards the central zone.

• The Rear Cross-Step: To reach the rear corners on the backhand side, the player often has to cross the right foot behind the left foot for maximum time gain.

Systematic Central Recovery

True mastery of the system lies not in the speed to reach a corner, but in the speed to return to the center.

• The Reference Zone: The center is the position where the player can reach any corner in an equal amount of time. This zone is located slightly behind the service line, in the middle of the court.

• The Explosive Return: After every shot (whether a smash, a clear, or a drop shot), the player must use the momentum of the stroke to push back towards the rear and return to the central zone.

• Economy of Movement: Every unnecessary step or movement that is too slow outside the central zone is an opportunity for the opponent to hit a winning shot into the opposite corner.

Conclusion: Endurance as a Tactical Weapon

The 6-Corner System is the foundation of singles tactics in badminton. By training to cover these six zones with speed and precision, the player not only improves their physical endurance but also gains a tactical advantage: they force the opponent to hit a perfect shot to win the point, as they are always ready and well-positioned in the center of the court.