Amanda Knapp
Serving is a crucial aspect of badminton, as it sets the flow of the rally and can give you an early advantage. There are four main types of serves: high, low, flick, and drive. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and mastering a variety of them will help keep your opponent guessing. For example, a high serve aims to make your opponent use their weaker backhand, while a low serve can prevent them from making an offensive shot. Here are some tips on how to perform each type of serve effectively, as well as some rules to keep in mind during service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of serves | At least two types should be incorporated into your play |
| Foot position | Some part of both feet must be in contact with the ground |
| Opponent's position | Observe the opponent's position and serve the opposite of what they expect |
| Serve height | Can be high or low |
| High serve | Powerful strike upwards with the shuttle |
| Low serve | Gentle tap over the net with the shuttle |
| Aim | To start the rally strong and dictate its flow |
| Service court | Stand inside the service court without touching the boundary lines |
| Service side | Serve from the left service court if the score is odd, and from the right-hand service court if the score is even |
| Gaze | Look at the opponent, not just the shuttle |
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What You'll Learn
Know the rules: both feet on the ground, serve underhand, and don't cross lines
To perform the best service in badminton, it is essential to have a good understanding of the rules. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:
Both Feet on the Ground
One of the most important rules regarding the service in badminton is that both feet must be in contact with the ground when the shuttle is struck. This means that you cannot lift either foot off the ground during the service motion. This rule applies to both the server and the receiver. Ensuring that both feet are grounded helps maintain stability and control during the serve.
Underhand Serve
According to the old service rule, the shuttle must be struck below the server's waist. Specifically, it should be below the imaginary line around the body, level with the lowest part of the server's bottom rib. This rule ensures that the serve is executed in an underhand manner, promoting a smooth and controlled motion.
Don't Cross the Lines
When serving, it is important to be mindful of the court lines. Your feet should not touch any of the service lines or court boundaries when the shuttle is hit. This rule helps define the legal serving area and ensures that players do not gain an unfair advantage by stepping into the court during the serve.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the service rules may vary slightly depending on the type of game. In singles, the court is thinner, and the outer tramlines are considered out of bounds. In doubles, the full width of the court is in play, and the tramlines are considered 'in'. Understanding these variations in court dimensions and service rules for singles and doubles play is crucial for executing legal and effective serves.
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Master the basic high and low serves
To master the basic high and low serves in badminton, there are several techniques and strategies to keep in mind. The low serve is a basic shot that can be executed with either your forehand or backhand, but the backhand is more common. Here are the steps to perform a low serve:
- Start with a backhand grip, positioning your thumb in line with the strings. You can adjust the grip slightly higher up the handle for more control.
- Hold your racket out in front of you, tilting it down at a 45-degree angle. The face of the racket should be almost parallel to the net but with a slight upward rotation.
- Grab the shuttlecock by the feathers with your non-racket hand, holding it slightly angled towards you.
- Stand a couple of feet behind the short service line, keeping your racket at waist level.
- Push the shuttlecock slightly higher than your waist but below the bottom of your rib cage, as per badminton rules.
- Swing your racket in a wide arc to hit the shuttlecock, bending your wrist back and pushing gently to strike it.
- Aim for the tape of the net, making the shuttlecock skim over it and land just over the net.
The high serve, on the other hand, is a powerful strike with a high, far trajectory. It is often used to catch your opponent off guard, taking advantage of their poor footwork or positioning. Here's how to execute a high serve:
- Stand near the centerline, with your non-racket foot pointing forward and the racket foot angled slightly outward, one step back.
- Hold the shuttlecock by the feathers in front of you, pulling your racket out behind you for a wide backswing.
- Drop the shuttlecock and swing in an underhand motion to send it flying towards the back corner of your opponent's service court.
- As you swing forward, your body should rotate fluidly, and your back heel should lift slightly as you shift your balance.
- For a high serve, swing your racket in an arc down to your knees and then bring it up and around your shoulder.
- Aim for the middle of the court, rather than the corners, to eliminate the chance of a flat serve.
Remember to mix up your serves and vary your techniques to keep your opponent guessing and improve your gameplay.
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Use different types of serves to keep your opponent guessing
Varying your serves is crucial in badminton to keep your opponent guessing and prevent them from easily predicting your moves. Here are some ways to do this:
Low Serve: This is the most common type of serve in badminton. It involves gently tapping the shuttle just over the net, aiming for it to fall just past the front line of your opponent's service court. This serve limits your opponent's swing, increasing your chances of scoring. However, don't make it too predictable, as your opponent might opt for an outright smash or net kill if they anticipate it. You can perform a forehand low serve by bending your wrist back and pushing gently.
High Serve: This serve involves hitting the shuttle high so that it drops vertically near the back of your opponent's court. It is a powerful strike upwards aimed at travelling a great distance. The high serve is a popular choice for beginner players, but it can be challenging to disguise, especially with a forehand grip, as your opponent may anticipate the shuttlecock landing at the back of the court. To execute a forehand high serve, swing your racket in a wide arc. Bring the racket high over your shoulder, then drop it down towards your knees as you swing forward and bring it up to meet the shuttle.
Flick Serve: The flick serve can be deceptive to your opponent as it resembles a low serve until the last moment. To perform this serve, hold your racket as you would for a low serve, but instead of a gentle push, add a little extra power with your wrist at the end of your swing. This will cause the shuttle to go upwards instead of staying low near the net. You can control the direction of your swing by pushing your thumb in the desired direction. The flick serve is an attacking option used by top players like Lin Dan, catching opponents off guard. However, it is also risky, as a prepared opponent could smash the shuttlecock back at you.
Drive Serve: This is a powerful serve where you connect with the shuttle with more force, sending it sharply across your opponent's court. It is executed with a forehand through underarm action and follow-through. The shuttle should be dropped slightly sideways rather than in front of your body and hit flatter.
Remember, always be aware of your opponent's position and try to anticipate their expectations. Incorporate at least two types of serves into your play to keep them guessing and prevent predictability.
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Stand sideways, relax your arm, and twist your waist to execute a high serve
To execute a high serve in badminton, stand sideways with your body facing the net, and hold the shuttlecock with its head facing downwards so that it will drop straight down. Relax your racquet arm—this is the arm holding the racquet—and let go of the shuttlecock. Swing your racquet arm upwards and twist your waist so that your body is now facing the net.
The high serve is a powerful strike with the shuttlecock that aims to travel a great distance upwards and fall deep at the rear end of the court. It is a good strategy to use against opponents who cannot perform strong smashes from the back of the court. A high serve will also prevent your opponent from executing a strong smash, and they will likely opt for a lob or a drop instead.
To perfect this technique, it is important to practice until you can serve without making any mistakes. Try to serve the shuttlecock to your opponent's backhand area—most badminton players, even world-class players, have weaker backhands compared to their forehands. If your opponent refuses to use their backhand, they will have to move further away from their base, giving you an opportunity to control the game if they do not have good footwork.
Additionally, you can use a "fake" low serve to trick your opponent. Stand in a low-serve position, but push your thumb and flick your wrist harder so that the shuttlecock flies high. This will deceive your opponent, who will be expecting a low serve.
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Practise to perfect your serves
Practice makes perfect, and this is especially true for badminton serves. The serve sets the flow for the rally, so it's important to get it right. Here are some tips to help you perfect your serves through practice:
Start by mastering the basic high and low serves. The high serve is a powerful strike that sends the shuttlecock high into the air, aiming for the rear end of the court. This serve is a popular choice for beginners as it gives them time to get ready for the next shot. To execute a high serve, hold the shuttlecock with its head facing downwards and stand sideways to the net with your non-dominant foot forward. Relax your racquet arm, then swing it upwards as you twist your waist towards the net. The power for this shot comes from a flick of the wrist.
The low serve, on the other hand, is a gentle tap that sends the shuttlecock just over the net, aiming for it to fall near the front line of the service court. This serve can be deceptive, as it can be made to look like a high serve until the point of contact. To execute a low serve, hold the shuttlecock with the head facing downwards and position your racquet behind it. Step forward with your right foot if you're right-handed, or your left foot if you're left-handed. As you let go of the shuttlecock, flick your racquet lightly while pushing your thumb forward in the direction you want the shuttle to go.
Once you've mastered these two types of serves, you can mix them up during a game to keep your opponent guessing. Remember, using just one type of serve will make you too predictable. Practice alternating between high and low serves, and also try to vary the placement of your serves by aiming for your opponent's forehand or backhand areas.
As you practice, pay attention to the rules of serving in badminton. Both feet must be in contact with the ground during the serve, and the shuttle must be hit from below your waist. The serve must also be executed from inside the service court without touching any boundary lines.
Finally, remember to practice observing your opponent. Look at their stance and try to anticipate what they are expecting, then do the opposite to catch them off guard. For example, if your opponent is leaning towards the back of the court, they might be anticipating a high serve, so you could try a low serve instead.
With dedicated practice and a keen eye for strategy, you'll be perfecting your serves and dominating the court in no time!
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