Amanda Knapp
The underhand serve, also known as the high serve, is a fundamental skill in badminton. It is often used by beginners as it gives them time to reset while the opponent moves to the rear of their court. The high serve is executed by holding the shuttle perpendicular to the ground, with a forearm grip, and swinging the racket from front to back to front. The shuttle should be hit high, causing it to fall at the deep, rear end of the opponent's court. This serve is effective because it forces the opponent to return the shuttle from the farthest point in the court, resulting in a weak return shot. While performing an underhand serve, it is important to follow the rules, such as keeping at least one foot on the ground and ensuring that the shuttle is hit below the waist. Additionally, varying your serves is crucial to keep your opponent guessing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Foot placement | Both feet must be in contact with the ground, with at least the toes of the back left foot on the ground. The feet cannot be touching any lines on the court. |
| Height of the shuttle | The shuttle must be below the server's waist, specifically below the bottom of the rib cage. |
| Direction of the shuttle | The shaft and head of the racket must be pointing in a downward direction when hitting the shuttle. |
| Types of serves | Low serves, high serves, flicks, and drives. |
| Strategy | A good serve has a clear objective and is strategic for the next shot. For example, serving high so that the shuttle lands at the back of the court, followed by a low hit near the net. |
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What You'll Learn
Footwork and positioning
Firstly, it is important to understand the rules regarding footwork during a serve. Badminton rules dictate that you must keep at least some part of both feet on the ground while serving. You cannot lift either foot off the ground or drag your foot along the ground, although you are allowed to pivot. Your feet should not be touching any lines on the court, but you can stand anywhere in your half, even in the tramlines.
When performing an underhand serve, your back left foot will naturally lift as you swing the racket, so be mindful to keep your toes on the ground. Practise serving without an opponent to get a feel for the proper footwork and positioning.
After serving, your footwork and positioning are equally important. Many lower-level players make the mistake of staying in the same position after serving, watching the ball instead of positioning themselves to return the shot. You should always aim to be in position when your opponent hits the shuttle. Analysing your opponent's moves and anticipating their next shot will help you position yourself effectively.
Additionally, varying your serves will help improve your footwork and positioning. If you serve in a predictable manner, your opponent will be better able to anticipate your moves. By mixing up your serves with low serves, high serves, flicks, and drives, you can keep your opponent guessing and improve your strategic positioning.
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Keeping a foot on the ground
One of the most important rules in badminton is that you must keep at least some part of both feet on the ground while serving. Your back left foot will naturally lift as you swing the racket, but make sure to keep your toes on the ground. You are not allowed to drag your foot along the ground during the serve, but you can pivot.
The service court you use will depend on whether you are playing singles or doubles, and the side of the court depends on your score. If you are playing singles, stand 2-3 feet behind the short service line, which is the line closest to the net. If you have an even score, stand in the right-hand service court, and if your score is odd, stand in the left-hand court.
Place your non-racket foot forward during a low serve, as it is a more natural feeling. Not as much body rotation is necessary with a low serve, as it is typically a backhand swing. You can also try a flick serve, which is a backhand shot that aims to trick your opponent into thinking a low or short serve is coming. At the last minute, flick your wrist and adjust the shuttle to add power to the serve and send it to the rear of the court.
During a high serve, place your non-racket foot forward to allow for greater swinging action and body rotation. A high serve is often an underhand/forehand serve that arcs high and lands deep in the back of your opponent's court. This forces your opponent to quickly move backward and creates distance between you and your opponent, weakening their return shot.
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Hitting from below the waist
When performing an underhand serve, the shuttle must be struck below the waist. This is a key rule in badminton, and if the shuttle is hit above the waist, the serve is considered illegal. To achieve this, the server should hold the racket in front of their body, with the racket head below waist level. The shuttle is then released just before the swing, with the racket moving in a forehand motion. Timing is crucial, ensuring that the racket meets the shuttle at the correct height.
The underhand serve is often used for a high serve, also known as a long serve. This type of serve arcs high and lands deep in the back of the opponent's court. To execute this serve, the non-racket foot is typically placed forward, allowing for a greater range of motion and the ability to rotate the body. The server should use a forearm grip, swinging the racket from front to back to front, and shifting their weight from the non-racket foot to the racket leg during the swing.
Another variation is the short serve, which is also hit from below the waist. This serve is designed to just clear the net and fall just over the front line of the opponent's service court. The aim is to force the opponent to lift the shuttle, putting them in a less advantageous position. To execute this serve, the racket leg is placed slightly forward, and the shuttle is held by the feathers with the non-racket hand in front of the racket's face. A flick of the wrist is used to generate enough momentum to hit the shuttle gently over the net.
The drive serve is an attacking variation of the underhand serve. The shuttle is dropped slightly to the side of the body and struck forcefully from below the waist, sending it speeding towards the opponent's body. This serve aims to catch the opponent off guard and limit their reaction time. However, it can also be a risky move as the opponent may take advantage of the shuttle's momentum and return it with force.
It is important to vary your serves to keep your opponent guessing. Mixing up high and low serves, as well as different types of underhand serves, will make you less predictable and improve your chances of gaining an advantage during a match.
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Pushing, not hitting, the shuttle
When serving in badminton, it is important to remember that most serves are about pushing the shuttle gently, rather than hitting it forcefully. This is a common misconception among beginners, who often associate serving with power and strength. However, the key to a successful serve in badminton is precision and placement, which is achieved through a gentle push.
The underhand serve, in particular, requires a gentle push as it involves a different technique from other sports like tennis or volleyball, where overhanded serves are common. In badminton, the rules specify that the shuttle must be hit below the waist, specifically below the bottom of the rib cage, for the serve to be legal. This naturally lends itself to a pushing motion rather than a hitting motion.
When performing the underhand serve, the shuttle is released just before the racket is swung in a forehand motion. The timing of this release is crucial to achieving a gentle push. By dropping the shuttle and then swinging the racket forward, the impact is softened, and the shuttle is propelled with a controlled push rather than a forceful hit.
Additionally, the wrist plays a significant role in the gentle pushing motion. For a forehand low serve, which is the most common type of serve in badminton, the wrist is bent back slightly, and the push is gentle. This bend in the wrist helps to guide the shuttle with precision, ensuring it clears the net and lands in the desired spot on the other side of the court. The wrist action is more of a gentle nudge than a powerful snap, contributing to the overall pushing motion of the serve.
Mastering the art of pushing the shuttle gently during an underhand serve in badminton takes practice and a shift in mindset. It is important to focus on finesse and technique rather than brute force. By perfecting the gentle push, players can improve their serving accuracy, catch their opponents off guard, and increase their chances of scoring points.
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Varying your serves
Firstly, it is essential to master different types of serves, such as low serves, high serves, flicks, and drives. By mixing up these shots, you can catch your opponent off guard and make it difficult for them to predict your next move. Low serves, for instance, are the most common type of serve as they restrict your opponent's swing, increasing your chances of scoring. However, if you rely solely on low serves, your opponent will anticipate them. Therefore, alternating between low and high serves is essential.
Secondly, you can vary your serves by adjusting the height of the shuttle. Instead of simply serving the shuttle to the back or front of the court, try adjusting the height so that it is just out of your opponent's reach. This will force them to move towards the baseline to return the shuttle, giving them less time for a full jump smash. This tactic demonstrates a clear objective and strategic thinking, enhancing your gameplay.
Additionally, you can vary your serves by focusing on your positioning. In doubles, for example, if you notice that your opponent consistently flicks the shuttle just above your head after a short serve near the T, adjust your racket position to intercept their shot. By analysing your opponent's tendencies and patterns, you can adapt your serves and positioning to counter their moves effectively.
Lastly, footwork plays a significant role in varying your serves. Ensure that you are close enough to the baseline when serving to avoid serving too short. Practise your footwork and positioning after the serve to anticipate your opponent's shots better. Lower-level players often make the mistake of staying in one place and watching the shuttle instead of moving into position to return the shot. By improving your footwork, you can react more quickly to your opponent's returns and improve your overall serving strategy.
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