Effects of smash drill training and arm power on smash accuracy and skill among badminton athletes

Background and purpose The badminton smash is a decisive attacking technique that requires an optimal integration of technical execution and physical capacity. In practical coaching settings, athletes often demonstrate adequate hitting power but insufficient accuracy and technical consistency, resulting in reduced scoring efficiency. This condition highlights the need for training approaches that simultaneously develop smash technique and supporting physical attributes, particularly arm power. This study aimed to examine the effects of smash drill training combined with arm power development on smash accuracy and smash skill among badminton athletes. Material and methods An experimental study using a one-group pre-test–post-test design was conducted with 20 competitive badminton athletes selected through total sampling. The intervention program lasted four weeks, with training sessions held four times per week. The program integrated sport-specific smash drill exercises and arm power training. Smash accuracy and smash skill were measured using standardized performance tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, normality and homogeneity tests, and a paired sample t-test with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results The results showed a significant improvement in smash performance following the training intervention. The mean smash accuracy and skill score increased from 17.35 in the pre-test to 22.25 in the post-test, with a mean difference of 4.90 points. The paired sample t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores (t = 9.87; p = 0.001). In addition, performance variability decreased, indicating more homogeneous performance levels among athletes after training. Conclusions Smash drill training combined with arm power development is an effective approach for improving smash accuracy and smash skill in badminton athletes. Integrating technical and physical training components within a structured program enhances performance efficiency and consistency, and is recommended for application in competitive badminton training.