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Badminton is a fast-paced racket sport played with a shuttlecock, also known as a birdie. The rules of badminton dictate that players must serve the shuttlecock underarm, with the racket shaft and head angled downwards, and the shuttlecock must be below waist height when struck. In this article, we will explore the rules of serving in badminton, including the number of servers permitted, and how this varies between singles and doubles matches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | Singles: 2, Doubles: 4 |
| Number of games | Best of three |
| Points to win a game | 21 |
| Points awarded | 1 point per serve to the winner of the rally |
| Winning margin | 2 clear points, sudden death at 29-29 |
| Service rules | Underarm, shuttle below waist level, below 1.15m from the floor when struck |
| Feet positioning | Both feet on the floor, no part touching service line or court boundaries |
| Service box | Right box for even scores, left box for odd scores |
| Server advantage | Advantageous in lower-level games, disadvantageous in doubles |
| Shuttlecock | 62-70mm long, weighing 4.74-5.5g, made of 16 feathers |
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What You'll Learn
How to serve in badminton
Serving is a crucial aspect of badminton, as it initiates every rally and can set the tone for the game. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to serve effectively in badminton:
Understanding the Basics
Before stepping onto the court, it's important to familiarise yourself with the basic rules of badminton to avoid disputes and improve your overall understanding of the game. Serving in badminton differs from tennis in that there are no second serves, and the serve must be hit "underarm". This means that the server's racket head and shaft must be angled downward, and the shuttle must be below waist height when struck. In elite BWF competitions, service judges and height-measuring devices are used to ensure that the shuttle is below 1.15 metres from the floor when hit.
Footwork and Positioning
Badminton rules dictate that both of your feet must remain in contact with the floor during the serve. You can pivot but should not drag your foot along the ground. Ensure that no part of your foot touches the service line or the court boundaries when you hit the shuttle. The direction of your serve will depend on your score. If you have an even score (0, 2, 4, etc.), serve from the right service court, hitting the shuttle towards the left. If your score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.), serve from the left service court.
Techniques for Different Serves
The most common serve in badminton is the low serve. To execute this, bend your wrist back and push gently to direct the shuttle just over the net. This type of serve limits your opponent's swing due to the vertical drop on their side of the net, increasing your chances of scoring. While low serves are the most frequent, it's important to vary your serves to keep your opponent guessing. You can try a high serve, where the shuttle lands at the back of the court, or a forehand high serve, where you swing the racket in a wide arc.
Strategy and Tactics
Serving in badminton is about more than just technique; it's also a strategic element of the game. Since a point is scored on every serve, you can use different serves to gain an advantage. For example, you could use a high serve followed by a low hit that lands near the net to catch your opponent off guard. Mixing up your serves will keep your opponent on their toes and improve your chances of winning the rally.
In conclusion, mastering the art of serving in badminton requires a combination of understanding the rules, perfecting your technique, and employing strategic tactics. With practice and a good grasp of the basics, you'll be able to use serves to your advantage and improve your overall game.
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Singles vs doubles serving rules
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) outlines the rules for singles and doubles badminton matches. In singles, two players compete against each other, while in doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete, resulting in a game of four players. All singles and doubles matches are played as the best of three 21-point games.
Singles Serving Rules
In singles badminton, the player who serves first is determined by a coin flip or seeing which side a shuttlecock points to when hit in the air and left to land. The first server starts the game by serving from the right side of the court if their score is 0, and from the left side if their score is 1. The server will continue to alternate sides based on whether their score is even or odd. There is no time limit for serving, but players may be faulted for taking too long. When serving, the shuttlecock must be struck underarm, with the base of the shuttle (the cork) hit first. The shuttle must be below waist height when struck, and the server's feet must be planted behind the service line, with no part of the foot touching any lines.
Doubles Serving Rules
In doubles badminton, the team that serves first is determined in the same way as singles. The first server always serves from the right side of the court. As long as the team keeps scoring, they will continue serving from the right side, switching places with their teammate. If the receiving team wins a point, the serving opportunity passes to them, and the player who did not initially serve for that team will serve next. The rules for serving technique are the same as in singles: the shuttlecock must be struck underarm, with the base hit first, and it must be below waist height when struck. The server's feet must be planted behind the service line, with no part touching any lines.
Differences in Serving Rules
The main difference in serving rules between singles and doubles badminton is the side of the court from which serves are delivered. In singles, the server alternates between the left and right sides depending on their score, while in doubles, the serving team always serves from the right side, with teammates switching places after each point. Another difference is that serving in doubles is considered trickier, as there is only one serve per side, so if the serving team loses a point, the serve passes to the other team.
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The impact of skill level on serving
Serving in badminton is a complex skill that can greatly impact the outcome of a match. The server's skill level plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of their serves and, ultimately, their success in the game.
For beginners, the recommended serve is the high serve, also known as the long serve. This serve is executed with an underhand or forehand motion, arcing high and landing deep in the opponent's court. It is a relatively simple technique that forces the opponent backward, creating distance and weakening their return shot. However, beginners should also practice the short serve, which can be more challenging for opponents to attack, especially if the server positions themselves in the middle of the court to gain a quicker advantage.
As players advance in skill, they can explore more complex serving techniques. The backhand short serve, for example, can be advantageous for players with good footwork as it allows them to reach their opponent's return shot more quickly. Additionally, varying serving patterns throughout the game can prevent opponents from predicting your moves.
At the elite level, players can attempt advanced serves such as the drive serve, which involves hitting the shuttlecock directly at the opponent's body. This unexpected approach can catch the receiver off-guard, but it is risky as it may result in a powerful smash return if not executed perfectly.
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The shuttlecock
The choice of shuttlecock can vary depending on several factors. Firstly, the speed of the shuttlecock is crucial, as it determines how far it will travel with a standard degree of force. Slower shuttlecocks will fall short and decelerate more quickly, while faster ones will travel further and maintain their speed for longer. The speed of a shuttlecock is classified into categories ranging from 75-79, with smaller numbers indicating slower speeds. The speed chosen will depend on factors such as playing style, level of play, and environmental conditions.
Another important consideration is the durability of the shuttlecock. Higher-quality shuttlecocks will last longer before needing to be replaced. The consistency of the shuttlecock is also key, referring to how accurately it lands in the same spot when hit in the same way. A consistent shuttlecock allows players to predict and control the flight path more effectively.
During a match, the condition of the shuttlecock can impact performance, and players may request a change if they feel it is necessary. The change must be fair and agreed upon by both players, and the final decision rests with the umpire.
When serving, there are specific rules regarding the shuttlecock. It must be struck from below the server's waistline, and the whole shuttle must be below the waistline when making contact with the racket. However, it is allowed to hold the shuttlecock higher during the serve as long as it falls downward when released. The shuttlecock can legally touch the net during service, as long as it still lands 'in' after crossing over, which means on or past the service line.
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The service box
The server must start the game serving from the right-hand service box, usually determined by a coin toss. During the game, players then alternate between serving from the left and right boxes, depending on their score. If a player's score is an even number, they serve from the right box; if it is odd, they serve from the left. This pattern continues throughout the game, with the winning player serving next and choosing their box based on their score.
In doubles matches, either player on the serving team may serve first, and there is no requirement to take turns. However, players must keep track of which player starts the rally on which side, as they will switch sides with their partner each time a point is won on their own serve.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton can be played as singles or doubles. In singles, there are two players competing against each other. In doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players.
The game is started once it has been determined who serves first, usually decided by a coin flip or seeing which side a shuttlecock points to when hit in the air and left to land.
The first serve is usually decided by a coin flip or seeing which side a shuttlecock points to when hit in the air and left to land.
The first serve is performed from the service box on the right.
During the rest of the game, the service is performed from either the left or right box, depending on the server's score. If the server's score is an even number (0, 2, 4, etc.), they will serve from the right box. If the score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.), they will serve from the left box.
