The lob shot in badminton would normally be played from the forecourt in an underarm action. The aim is to lift, or ‘lob’, the shuttle over your opponent and aim to make the shuttle land as near to the baseline as possible.
Forehand lob
As you approach the shuttle move your racket forward with the wrist cocked so that your palm is facing forwards. Move towards the shuttle and take a lunge step with the dominant foot towards where the shuttle is due to land. As the shuttle drops swing the racket forwards underneath the path of the shuttle, striking it upwards whilst straightening the wrist. The follow through should continue up and finish above the non-racket shoulder.
Recover back with the dominant foot first and go back to the mid-court. The lob can be played very high and deep as a purely defensive shot. You can also play it as a building shot when it is taken earlier (higher up the net). This shot would be played with only just enough height to go beyond your opponents reach.
Backhand lob
This shot would normally be played from the forecourt in an underarm action. The aim is to lift or ‘lob’ the shuttle over your opponent and aim to make the shuttle land as near to the baseline as possible without hitting it out.