A badminton shot hit softly just over the opponent’s net is called a net shot.
The aim is to make the shuttle fall close to the net on the opponent’s side, forcing a difficult lifting response. A high-quality net shot tumbles or spins slightly and crosses the tape by a small margin, limiting the opponent’s attacking options.
Net shots are especially important in singles and in the front-court area of doubles. Players often use them after moving forward to retrieve a short serve or a tightly played reply. The shot requires delicate racket control rather than the power used for a smash.
A net shot should not be confused with a clear, which travels high toward the back boundary, or a drive, which travels flatter and faster. A net kill is a separate attacking stroke used when the shuttle is already high enough to finish the rally near the net.