Players need to use variety when attacking with the smash.
It is important to remember to sometimes change the pace, angle and direction of the smash in order to prevent your opponents becoming accustomed to one type of attack.
In doubles play a player tends to be weaker in defence around the hip area on their racket side and this is the standard place to attack.
Hitting a flatter shot occasionally will keep opponents on their toes and may even provide you with a winner.
In singles play players tend to hit more smashes down the sides of the court to out manoeuvre the opponent. Changing this tactic to smash into the body will hold your opponent in the centre of the court creating a bigger gap at the sides to smash into next time.
The smash is not always played as the winning shot. You can also hit a certain smash to get an expected reply for your partner to make the winning shot. This is common in mixed doubles in particular.
