Andrew Pace
The backhand flick serve is an advanced badminton technique that can be used to catch your opponent off-guard. It is important to master the low serve first, as the flick serve preparation should look identical to that of a low serve. To perform a backhand flick serve, use a backhand grip and hold the shuttlecock with your thumb and index finger. Take a controlled backswing, bending your elbow to no more than 90 degrees, and squeeze your fingers and thumb to generate power. You can direct your serve down the centre of the court or towards the tramline, depending on your opponent's position and weaknesses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grip | Basic badminton grip/handshake grip |
| Hand position | Thumb and forefinger creating a V-shape around the handle |
| Shuttlecock position | Held by the feathers, not the cork |
| Backswing | Controlled, elbow bent to no more than 90 degrees |
| Shoulder | Still |
| Power | Generated by squeezing fingers and thumb |
| Frequency | 10% of the time |
| Direction | Down the centre line or out wide to the tramline |
| Standing position | Racket leg forward or feet side by side |
| Distance from service line | Close |
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What You'll Learn
Hand positioning and grip
To perform a backhand flick serve in badminton, you need to start with the correct grip and hand positioning. This is key to pulling off a successful flick serve.
Firstly, you need to use a backhand grip. To check you've got this right, put your thumb on the widest part of the grip—your strings should be facing upwards. Holding the racket in this way will also help improve your control of the serve. Your hand should be high up the grip, as this will give you better control (as it's a shorter lever).
Next, you need to hold the shuttlecock with your thumb and index finger. Be careful not to hold the shuttlecock with the cork facing towards you, as this will result in a flat flick serve or cause you to hit it into the net. Holding it sideways is also not recommended, as you will hit the feathers and lose control of the shot. Instead, grip the shuttlecock by its feathers, but cradle it with your fingers so that you're not holding it too tightly.
Now you're ready to perform the backhand flick serve. Make a short backswing, bending your elbow to no more than 90 degrees and keeping your shoulder still. Then, squeeze your fingers and thumb to generate power and hit the shuttlecock flat across the net.
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Shuttlecock placement
Firstly, it is important to disguise your intentions and make your flick serve preparation resemble that of a low serve. This element of surprise is crucial to keeping your opponent guessing and preventing them from predicting your moves. Mastery of the low serve will help you deceive your opponent more effectively.
When it comes to the actual placement of the shuttlecock during the flick serve, there are a few options. One effective strategy is to flick the shuttlecock out wide to the tramline. This forces your opponent to move further, giving you more time to react to their shot and potentially putting them off-balance. This option requires more power as you need to send the shuttlecock wide and far.
Another option is to flick the shuttlecock down the centre line, especially if you're aiming for your opponent's backhand side. This strategy is commonly used in singles matches as it reduces the angle of the shot for your opponent, avoiding the risk of making a mistake. However, it's important to vary your serve placements to keep your opponent guessing. If a particular serve is consistently effective, you might choose to use it repeatedly until it loses its element of surprise.
The way you hold the shuttlecock also affects its placement. Holding the shuttlecock with the cork facing downwards can result in hitting your thumb or requiring adjustments to your racket positioning. Holding it with the cork facing upwards can lead to a flat flick serve or hitting it into the net. Holding the shuttlecock sideways may cause you to hit the feathers, resulting in a loss of control. Therefore, it is crucial to hold the shuttlecock correctly to ensure optimal placement and control during the flick serve.
Additionally, your stance and positioning on the court can impact the effectiveness of your flick serve. While your stance may vary according to personal preference, standing with your racket leg forward or your feet side by side are common options. Standing close to the service line reduces the distance for the shuttlecock to travel, giving your opponent less reaction time. However, in certain situations, such as singles or mixed doubles, you may need to stand further back.
In summary, successful shuttlecock placement in a backhand flick serve involves disguising your intentions, varying your placements, and holding the shuttlecock correctly. Effective strategies include flicking out wide or down the centre, depending on your opponent's position and the match dynamics. Remember to maintain a deceptive stance and positioning to keep your opponent guessing and improve your chances of gaining the advantage.
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Footwork and stance
Footwork
When performing the backhand flick serve, you have the option to position your feet in a way that feels most comfortable to you. The most common foot positions are placing your feet side by side or having your racket leg forward. Experiment with both stances and choose the one that allows you to maintain balance and be ready to move as soon as you have served.
Stance
The stance you adopt when performing the backhand flick serve can vary depending on your personal preference and style. However, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind:
- Stand close to the service line: Reducing the distance between you and your opponent gives them less time to react to your serve. It also enables you to quickly move forward and cover the net after serving.
- Start in the same position as a low serve: To maintain the element of surprise, ensure that your preparation for the flick serve is indistinguishable from that of a low serve. This will keep your opponent guessing and prevent them from predicting your shot.
- Vary your serving locations: Avoid becoming predictable by changing the direction of your serves. Mix up your serves down the centre and to the corners to keep your opponent on their toes. This will reduce the likelihood of them anticipating your serves and returning a winning shot.
- Adapt your stance for different game formats: In singles or mixed doubles, you may need to adjust your stance and stand further back from the service line. This is due to variations in court dimensions and playing strategies in these game formats.
Remember, the key to a successful backhand flick serve is not just your footwork and stance, but also maintaining a relaxed grip, holding the shuttlecock correctly, and generating power with a short backswing and follow-through. Practice these techniques to improve your serving skills and catch your opponents off-guard.
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Generating power
To generate power in a backhand flick serve, it is important to have a short backswing and a short follow-through. This is crucial for maintaining control and deception, catching your opponents off-guard. The power in the shot comes from squeezing your grip with your fingers and thumb, not just your wrist.
When holding the shuttlecock, use your thumb and index finger, being careful not to hold it too tightly. The cork should not be facing towards you, as this may result in a flat flick serve or cause you to hit the net. Similarly, avoid holding the shuttlecock sideways, as this will cause you to hit the feathers and lose control.
The ideal grip on the racket is loose and relaxed, with your thumb and forefinger creating a V-shape around the bottom of the handle. This is known as the handshake grip, and it is important to ensure the strings are facing sideways.
To increase power, stand close to the service line. This reduces the distance the shuttlecock has to travel, giving your opponent less time to react.
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Variations and strategy
The backhand flick serve is an advanced technique in badminton that can help you gain an early advantage in a rally. It is important to master the technique and use it judiciously, varying your serves to keep your opponent guessing. Here are some key variations and strategic considerations for employing the backhand flick serve effectively:
Variations in Grip and Shuttlecock Orientation
Experiment with different grips and shuttlecock orientations to find what works best for you. You can try the basic badminton grip, also known as the handshake grip, holding the racket loosely with your thumb and forefinger forming a V-shape. Alternatively, for a backhand flick serve, use a backhand grip with your thumb and index finger holding the shuttlecock. Ensure the cork is not facing the floor, as this may cause you to hit your thumb or require adjustments to your racket positioning. Avoid holding the shuttlecock sideways, as this can cause you to hit the feathers and lose control.
Deception and Surprise
The element of surprise is crucial to the success of a flick serve. Disguise your intentions by making your preparation resemble that of a low serve. Master the low serve technique to perfection so that you can deceive your opponent until the last minute. This unpredictability will keep them off-balance and provide you with a strategic advantage.
Court Positioning
When using the flick serve, consider aiming down the centre of the court instead of the corners. Sending the shuttlecock wide requires more power, and a central serve reduces the angle your opponent can play with, making it a safer option. Additionally, stand close to the service line to reduce the distance the shuttlecock travels, giving your opponent less time to react.
Frequency and Adaptability
The flick serve is most effective when used sparingly—a rough guideline is to employ it about 10% of the time. Observe your opponent's strengths and weaknesses, and adapt your strategy accordingly. If a particular serve is consistently winning you points, stick with it until it loses its effectiveness.
Suitability in Different Game Formats
The backhand flick serve is commonly used in doubles matches, but it can also be effective in singles play. In singles, a flick serve down the middle can reduce the angle of your opponent's return shot and lower the risk of mistakes. However, be mindful that in mixed doubles, the male player may need to stand further back from the service line.
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Frequently asked questions
Hold the shuttlecock with your thumb and index finger, with the cork facing you. Avoid holding the shuttlecock with the cork facing the floor as you might hit your thumb, and avoid holding it sideways as you might hit the feathers and lose control.
Stand close to the service line, with your feet side by side or with your racket leg forward. This is the shortest distance for the shuttlecock to travel, giving your opponent less time to react.
Use a short backswing, bending your elbow no more than 90 degrees, and squeeze your thumb and fingers to generate power.
Use a backhand flick serve when your opponent is rushing you and you're under pressure. It is also a good move in doubles games. However, don't overuse it, as your opponent might anticipate it.
Make your backhand flick serve preparation look like your preparation for a low serve to catch your opponent off-guard. Keep varying your serves so your opponent can't predict your moves.
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