What are the elements you need for a great multi shuttle
What advice have you heard and did it help you improve?
Here are 6 tips that will ensure you have a great practice
Where did you learn to multi-shuttle
How much time have you spent trying to get the best out of this practice
Decide why you are using it
There are certainly some benefits of multi-shuttle practice
I recommend that players and coaches consider using it.
However, I also recommend that you keep an open mind as it’s certainly not the ‘perfect practice’ to develop all aspects of your game, more about this later.
Do you have opinions on the effectiveness of the multi shuttle practices
7 uses: not all effective
I’m proposing that there are 5 useful aims when using multi-shuttle practice.
However, there are 2 practice aims that may not be as effective as some coaches believe if the aim is to produce long-term skills. They could even harm or prevent the original aim.
Do you have opinions on the effectiveness of the multi shuttle practices you see
being promoted on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube?
Multi-shuttle will help if you want to improve your …..
- Technique – the ability to hit/move in a single shot rally. Your performance in practice will certainly improve.
- Power – the ability to develop those explosive hitting and moving actions on the court as you would in the gym.
- Endurance – an easy way to increase the duration and distance of on court movements far beyond your normal rallies. Your mistakes will not stop the next shuttle from coming over.
- Reaction – experience over speed practices that create situations faster than a normal rally. It’s a very common YouTube multi-practice.
- Confidence – Very important if you just want to feel good or have a tournament soon. Reducing the amount of uncertainty and haveing the feeder deliberately adjust the feeding so that you have a higher degree of success.
Do you agree that these 5 aspects can be improved with multi?
Should developing Tactics and Anticipation also be added to the list?
Measure its success or failure
Have you considered how?
An effective multi-shuttle practice is not just about hitting lots of shuttles as fast as you can and making people run.
Neither is it copying the programs you’ve seen on Instagram and Facebook.
Firstly, you need to decide why you are using it and ensure that you design a program to try out on the court. Then decide what measures you could use.
Do you measure the effectiveness or do you just complete the program?
- Use your 'coach's eye' and look for changes (hopefully improvement). Its subjective, but there should be a visible change.
- Ask players how they felt during the session and compare their responses with your own (if you are the coach). Do you both have the same observations?
- Use a Heart Rate monitor as it’s great for assessing the work rate of the player, if that is your aim. You could decide to work within designated HR zones for both work and rest.
- The R.P.E. rating system, it’s quicker and cheaper than using a HR monitor, another intro video
The best test isn’t in a multi practice
Test against an opponent
It may sound obvious, but do the improvements you see in multi-shuttle make a difference in a competitive match? Even a practice match against a regular practice partner.
The way an opponent behaves is different to that of a feeder. Maybe that’s obvious as well.
The biggest difference is that you can behave differently; you will see and feel different things.
In a match you often seek to gain an advantage before the opponent strikes the shuttle.
The goal isn’t to become great at multi shuttle
Its to gain an advantage over an opponent in a match
Learn how to feed and how to be a great feeder
There is more to this than you may think!
I’m sure most people can stand on court, hold 10-12 shuttles, and hit them over the net. They may even be able to feed them quickly, faster than a normal rally.
However, what are the tips and tricks to becoming a great multi-feeder, so good that no one complains about the quality of your delivery.
How to become a great feeder
A professional coach once told me that “anyone can feed in a multi, but the quality of the practice is governed by the quality of the feeder“.
I presume that they were talking about the decisions the feeder makes not their ability to hit the shuttles.
What are those qualities and thoughts?
Is it possible to improve knowledge about multi shuttle or do most people get fixated about seed superfast, standing on a bench for overhead smash feeding, or just copying the latest world-class Instagram post?
Please don’t look in coach education manuals for information because as of today (2026), there is hardly any information available, almost none.
I recommend that you stop feeding and consider what you are doing, the ‘why’ behind your session
Talk with other coaches and push hard to find the theory behind the session.
My guess I guess that very few coaches can describe in detail the various thoughts when they have, and how that differs from other multi-sessions that have alternative aims/goals.
If you are lucky to find someone who can describe the ‘how’ (planning) and ‘why’ (the rationale/theory), then make it your mission to learn as much as you can from them.
However, this doesn’t mean copying what they do, unless you copy their thinking processes! 
How often does someone compliment you on your multi-feeding?
…. or do they complain that the feeding doesn’t feel like a match rally?
Score your ability to feed for each of these factors
- 1 - Holding 15 to 20 shuttles …. ?/10
- 2 - Feeding underarm accurately …. ?/10
- 3 - Feeding overarm accurately for smashes & clears …. ?/10
- 4 - Feeding faster than game when hitting down from the net …. ?/10
- 5 - Observing the player and deciding to ‘hold’ or change the feed …. ?/10
- 6 - Realising fatigued is a factor and the practice is no longer effective …. ?/10
- 7 - Determining what the next feed should be, does it look like a competition rally (is that possible?) … ?/10
- 8 - Designing a program that is specific to that player that includes work & rest elements. Therefore the aim clear …?/10
Which of these 9 factors do you think are the most important?
Plan your session to maximise your effectiveness
To maximize the effectiveness of all your sessions and especially multi-shuttle sessions you must ask yourself these questions
- What is the aim of the session: can you state it?
- How am I going to achieve it: what methods do you intend to use?
- What motivations/emotions/thoughts do I need: just turning up and hitting shuttles is not enough!
It’s very easy for players to switch off (mentally) and merely return shuttles
This also applies to feeders: do you have a plan and an intent, or do you just feed?
Top 5 tips for planning a great multi-session
- Decide what your aim is: which of the 5 main uses are you working on?
- Choose the numbers of reps & sets carefully : big numbers dont necessarily equal improvments
- Rest periods are important, have you considered when and how long?
- Ensure that the player has an objective in mind, it’s very easy to just run and switch off.
- Does the feeding make sense, would that pattern actually happen in a rally?
How do you determine if your multi-practice really is replicating
the skills and aspects required in a real game?
Imagine, visualising, thinking
Players, you may find this advice tougher than you expect
You may prefer not to ‘think’ and just hit shuttles back.
Having a picture or scenario in your mind while working through a multi shuttle could affect how you perform. Your performance may vary depending on what aspects you are willing to consider.
A match is full of uncertainties, and also moments when you can influence what happens
What influence do you have as a player in a multi-shuttle practice?
What thoughts could you have
Imagining it’s a real match
Can you create those pictures (scenarios) in your mind that replicate moments of a match. Try thinking of the feeder as your opponent, especially if their feed is poor, can you capitalise on it!
Focusing on a physical element
Multi shuttle is great for extending your physical abilities. It may ‘hurt’.
Be prepared to feel as you would in the gym or on a run.
Ensure that you communicate with your feeder and adjust the intensity. Work hard at creating a positive mindset as the fatigue starts, and it will!
Do you realise that it’s highly likely the quality & consistency of your strokes will decrease as you fatigue?
Experiencing ‘beyond the game’ conditions
Multi shuttle is great for experiencing aspects beyond your current playing standard. Imagine that you are playing some of the top players in the world!
Have you tried …
-
Overspeed multi where the feeder delivers the next feed faster than it would be in a match. This is especially good for doubles defensive practice. There are many doubles situations that benefit from overspeed training. Your mindset needs to be positive as it’s likely that you will make mistakes
- Extending rallies and pushing yourself so that you experience physical demands greater than your current level. This is great for developing your mindset to cope when fatigued. You’ll need a considerate feeder who can control the practice, allowing you to just reach the next shuttle as you eventually slow down.
I recommend that you create an inquisitive mindset that
seeks to find out how your limitations compare to those of players better than you
Dangers and alternatives you could consider
Yes, multi has dissadvantages
There are dangers or disadvantages of using multi shuttle, especially if it’s the main type of practice.
Have you ever considered what they could be?
Maybe you have experienced some of these, please let me know if you have and how you overcame them.
Challenges & possible disadvantages
- You become great at the practice rather than becoming better in a match. This could be tough to measure, but do you know of players who are awesome in multis but less so in competition?
- Your feeder needs to be assisting you in achieving your goal. This means that their feeding will and must vary as your goal changes. Do your feeders work with you, or just go through the motions?
- Should you be counting the mistakes? Is this something that you do and if so, how do you use the information?
- Have you designed rest periods into your session? You should have this in your S&C programs, so why not your multi-sessions.
- If you feed 100’s of shuttles you may get a very sore arm and lower back!… is this you now? Multi feeding can be hard on the feeder as well as the player.
Alternatives
- Play games! Ensure that your weekly practice involves more gameplay than multi-practice.
- Look for practices where your stroke has an impact on your feeder/opponent and that you can capitalise on the advantage/opportunities that you create. This is possibly one of the top skills in badminton.
- Discuss with your coach and other players the experiences you have. You may find that others have some good ideas to help improve the multi shuttle practice.
Further reading
Send me a question
I’m always grateful if you have read this far.
If there is anything that you have read that has helped or that you disagree with, then please send me an email.
I promise to read all your comments
It would be great to hear from you contact@badmintonandy.com
