Smash
A powerful overhead shot hit sharply downward into the opponent’s side, usually to end the point.
Definition
A smash is an aggressive overhead stroke in racquet sports like tennis, badminton and pickleball. The player reaches up and hits the ball or shuttlecock down at a steep angle and high speed, making it very hard to return.
The smash is most often used in response to a high, short ball such as a weak lob, turning a defensive situation into an attacking one. Its power and steep trajectory make it one of the main point-ending shots in these sports.
Where you’ll hear “smash”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Badminton
A fast indoor racquet sport played with a shuttlecock that rewards agility and touch.
Pickleball
A friendly, easy-to-learn paddle sport played on a small court with a solid paddle and a light, perforated ball.
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Commonly confused with
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Equipment
- Badminton racketA lightweight strung racket used to hit the shuttlecock in badminton, built for quick, whippy swings rather than heavy power.
- Padel racketA solid, stringless racket perforated with holes, used to play padel. The lack of strings gives padel its distinctive shorter, flatter shots.
- ShuttlecockA lightweight, feathered or plastic projectile hit back and forth in badminton.
Scoring systems
Techniques
- Padel BandejaA controlled overhead shot in padel, hit with slice and moderate pace to keep the player at the net without over-committing.
- Badminton SmashA powerful, steeply downward overhead stroke that drives the shuttlecock sharply into the opponent's court to win the rally.
- Volleyball SpikeA powerful attacking hit that drives the ball sharply downward over the net into the opponent's court, usually after an approach and jump.
- Tennis ServeThe overhead stroke that starts every point, hit from behind the baseline into the diagonally opposite service box.
- Badminton ClearAn overhead stroke that sends the shuttlecock high and deep to the opponent's back court, resetting the rally or buying time.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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