Kristian Ferrell
Serving is a crucial aspect of badminton, marking the start of every rally and dictating its flow. There are four main types of serves in badminton: the high serve, the low serve, the flick serve, and the drive serve. Each player has two service courts, one on the right and one on the left. The server's score determines which service court to use, with even numbers corresponding to the right court and odd numbers to the left. The rules of serving in badminton include restrictions that do not apply during the rest of the rally, such as the requirement to hit the shuttlecock underarm and below waist level.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of serves per game | One |
| Direction of serve | Diagonal |
| Service courts | Two (left and right) |
| Service court dimensions | 3.96m (13ft) long and 2.59m (8.5ft) wide |
| Serve type | High, low, flick, drive |
| Serve rules | Hit upwards, underarm, below the waist |
| Scoring | One point per serve |
| Score to win | 21 points (or 30 points if 29-29) |
| Serve choice | Decided by shuttlecock or umpire |
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What You'll Learn
Deciding who serves first
Firstly, it's important to understand the basics of badminton serving rules. The serve is how you start a rally: someone must hit the shuttle first. The receiver is the person who hits the shuttle second. In doubles, the receiver's partner is not allowed to hit this second shot. The serve must be hit in an upward direction, with an underarm hitting action. Tennis-style serves are not allowed. The shuttle must be struck below the server's waist. The service courts are smaller boxes inside the court.
Now, back to deciding who serves first. In a singles match, the first server is usually decided by a coin toss. In a doubles match, there is another option: hitting the shuttle and seeing where it points when it lands. In a doubles match, either player can hit the shuttle, but the first two shots of the rally must be taken by different players. In casual play, it's common for women to play against men, but in serious tournaments, only men's and women's doubles are played.
Once the first server has been decided, the game can begin. The first server starts the game by serving from the right-hand service box. After that, the server will alternate between the left and right service boxes, depending on their score. If the server's score is an even number, they serve from the right. If it's an odd number, they serve from the left. This is the same for singles and doubles matches.
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Service rules
Serving is how you start a rally in badminton. To prevent the server from gaining an overwhelming advantage, there are special restrictions placed on serving that don't apply during the rest of the game. The serve must be hit in an upward direction, with an underarm hitting action. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has set specific service rules to ensure fairness in high-level tournaments.
Service Height Rule
Introduced in 2018, the service height rule ensures fairness in high-level tournaments. The shuttlecock must be struck below 1.15 meters (3.77 feet) from the court's surface. This regulation limits power, levelling the playing field. In non-BWF tournaments, players follow the traditional rule of hitting the shuttle below the waist.
Service Courts
There are two service courts on each side of the net: the right service court and the left service court. In doubles, the service courts are wider and shorter, using the outside sideline and inside backline, respectively. When the server's score is an even number, they serve from the right service court. When their score is odd, they serve from the left service court.
Other Service Rules
- In doubles, partners can position themselves strategically, but not in a way that obstructs the serve.
- The receiver's partner is not allowed to hit the second shot in the rally.
- Serving outside the designated service area is a service court violation.
- Touching the net with your body or racket before or during the serve is not allowed.
- Distracting your opponent during their serve is illegal.
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Service courts
A badminton court has a line down the middle, extending from the back to near the net, called the centre line. At the front of the court, the centre line is met by another line known as the front service line. These two lines form a T shape where they meet.
On your side of the net, you have two service courts: the right service court and the left service court. The same is true for your opponent. When you are saying the score, always say the server's score first. When the server's score is an even number, they serve from the right service court. Conversely, when their score is odd, they serve from the left service court. For this reason, the right service court is also known as the even service court, and the left service court is known as the odd service court.
The doubles service courts are slightly different. They are wider because they use the outside sideline, and they are shorter because they use the inside back line. The inside back line is used for doubles service and nothing else. A doubles service court is made from four lines.
In a singles game, a badminton court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. The width extends to 6.1m (20ft) in doubles. The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m high (5ft) where it dips in the middle. A serve must pass the short service line, which is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net. Beyond the short service line, there is a line that runs down the middle to split the left and right service courts. There is also a doubles service line 0.76m (2.5ft) in from the baseline. That means each service court (four in total) is 3.96m (13ft) long and 2.59m (8.5ft) wide.
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Types of serves
The serve is the most important stroke in badminton, allowing you to dictate the flow of the game. There are four main types of serves: low, high, flick, and drive.
Low Serve
The low serve is a basic shot that travels a short distance and lands just over the opponent's service line. It is executed with a short, gentle tap over the net, limiting how your opponent can respond. It is often used to catch the opponent off guard, especially if they are expecting a high serve. It can be performed with either your forehand or backhand, but the backhand is more common. To perform a low serve, start with your backhand grip and hold your racket out in front of you, tilting it down at a 45-degree angle. The racket face should be almost parallel to the net but rotated slightly upward. Grab the shuttle by the feathers with your non-racket hand.
High Serve
The high serve is a powerful strike upwards with the shuttle, aiming to reach the opponent's back service line. It has a high, far trajectory and, if executed correctly, ends with a steep vertical drop, making it challenging to return. It is a popular choice for beginner players as it is a strong defensive serve, but it can be predictable. To perform a high serve, stand near your centerline with your non-racket foot pointing forward and the racket foot angled slightly outward. Hold the shuttle by the feathers in front of you and pull your racket out behind you for a wide backswing.
Flick Serve
The flick serve is an unexpected shot used sparingly to surprise the opponent. It is similar to a low serve but with a soft trajectory that gets the shuttle just over the opponent's service line. It is effective against strong opponents, preventing them from starting the rally on offense. To execute a flick serve, use a short backswing, drop the shuttle, and flick your racket up and forward.
Drive Serve
The drive serve is a long serve primarily used in doubles. It has a fast and flat trajectory, similar to a drive shot. It is a risky shot that can quickly lose you a point if poorly executed, but it can catch your opponent off guard. To perform a drive serve, use a very short backswing and keep your grip relaxed until you swing. Aim for your opponent's backhand side to make it more challenging for them to return the shot.
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Scoring on serves
Serving is how you start a rally in badminton. To initiate play, someone must hit the shuttle first. The receiver is the person who hits the shuttle second. In doubles, the receiver's partner is not allowed to take the first shot.
There are special restrictions on serving that don't apply during the rest of the rally. The serve must be hit in an upward direction, with an underarm hitting action. Tennis-style serves are not allowed. The shuttle must be hit below the server's waist, at a height level with the lowest part of the ribcage. The whole of the shuttle should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit by the server, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce.
There are two service courts: one on the right, and one on the left. The right service court is also known as the even service court, and the left service court is known as the odd service court. When the server's score is an even number, they serve from the right service court. When their score is an odd number, they serve from the left service court. For example, if the score is 10-15, the server has 10 points and serves from the left service court. If the score is 15-10, the server has 15 points and serves from the right service court.
In doubles, each player has a service court. When serving, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts. When the serving side wins a rally, the same person serves again, but from the other service court. The serve does not alternate between partners; it stays with one person until the opponents win a rally and get the serve.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four main types of serves in badminton: the high serve, the low serve, the flick serve, and the drive serve.
There are several ways to decide who serves first in badminton. One way is to place the shuttle on top of the net with the cork up and let it fall to the ground. Another way is to hit the shuttle with your racket and let it fall to the ground. Alternatively, you can play one rally, and whoever wins gets to choose.
In badminton, you only get one serve. If you commit a fault, you lose the serve and the point. The only exception is when the umpire calls a "let", in which case you get another serve. During the serve, some part of both your feet must be in contact with the ground. You must serve diagonally, and the shuttle must be hit in an upward direction, with an underarm hitting action.
