The purposes of this study were to analyze the kinematics and electromyographic variables of the upper extremity for the backhand clear motion according to the type of hitting in badminton. Seven elite male university players were selected as the subjects. Four digital video cameras and Noraxon Telemyo 2400 were used to collect the 3D kinematics and electromyographic data. The results were as follows: 1) in the phase of impact, the time of motion for the overhead backhand clear was the longest, 2) in the event of impact, the distance of step toward X direction was the longest and the distance of step toward Y direction was the shortest for the overhead backhand clear, 3) in the event of backswing, the rotation angles of shoulder and pelvis and the flexion angle of shoulder for the overhead backhand clear were the biggest, 4) the maximum flexion angular velocity of shoulder and the maximum extension angular velocity of elbow for the overhead backhand clear were the biggest, and 5) in the phase of impact, mean EMG of the wrist flexor, triceps, and trapezius muscle for the overhead backhand clear was bigger than that for the underhand stroke and in the phase of follow-through, mean EMG of the wrist flexor and extensor, biceps, triceps, and trapezius muscle for the overhead backhand clear was the biggest.