Andrew Pace
Serving is a crucial part of a badminton player's gameplay. In doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, with the first side to reach 21 points winning the game. A correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent's side, with some part of their feet remaining in contact with the court surface. The player who serves first in any game shall do so from the right side of the service court and continue to do so each time after scoring an even number of points, while serving from the left service court after scoring an odd number of points. Professional doubles players favour the low serve as it is more difficult for opponents to attack.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Player positioning | In mixed doubles, the man and woman should stand on opposite sides of the court to cover more ground. The woman should stand in front of the man so they can start the rally with him at the back and her at the front. |
| Service side | The server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, while alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. |
| Serve type | The low serve is the most common in professional play because it is difficult to attack. The wide serve is useful as an occasional variation to keep opponents guessing. |
| Target | Aim for the receiver's front foot. |
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What You'll Learn
- The low serve: the most common serve used by professionals as it's harder for opponents to attack
- Wide serve: this is an occasional variation to keep your opponent guessing
- Flick serve: useful to play occasionally to prevent your opponent from anticipating your low serve
- Drive serve: a high-risk tactic that can be used to win cheap points against less skilled opponents
- Service rules: the laws of the game, including the correct serving technique and where to stand
The low serve: the most common serve used by professionals as it's harder for opponents to attack
The low serve is the most common serve used by professionals in badminton doubles because it is harder for opponents to attack. This is the only serve that starts to fall below net height immediately after crossing the net. This means that your opponent has less time to react. Playing the low serve straight has two advantages: it takes the least time to cross the net and limits your opponent's angles of reply. Serving straight also makes it more difficult for your opponent to execute net shots or pushes, as these must pass through your hitting area, giving you a good chance to intercept them.
However, many players prefer the wide low serve because they feel they are attacking the empty space. This is more of an illusion than a reality, as you are actually giving your opponent good angles of attack. Playing a wide serve opens up your court to straight replies into the tramlines.
While the flick serve is not as good as the low serve, it can be useful to play flick serves occasionally to prevent your opponent from anticipating your low serve. If you always serve low, then a smart opponent will start to predict this pattern and react more quickly. If you use occasional flick serves, your opponent will need to be ready for both types of serve, both physically and mentally.
The straight net shot and push are especially difficult shots for you to deal with. The wide serve is useful as an occasional variation to keep your opponent guessing.
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Wide serve: this is an occasional variation to keep your opponent guessing
The wide serve is a useful variation tactic in badminton doubles, which can be employed occasionally to keep your opponent guessing. While the straight low serve is generally considered the best option, as it limits your opponent's angles of attack and reaction time, the wide serve can be used to introduce an element of doubt in your opponent's mind.
The wide serve is an attacking option, giving the impression of targeting empty space on the court. However, this is an illusion, as it actually provides your opponent with good angles of attack. It is also a more difficult shot to execute, requiring consistent accuracy in terms of distance and height. This is why it is rarely seen at the professional level.
The wide serve can be useful in varying your serving strategy and preventing your opponent from anticipating your low serves. If you consistently serve low, your opponent may start to predict your moves and react more quickly. By occasionally using the wide serve, you force your opponent to be ready for different types of serves, both physically and mentally.
When using the wide serve, it is important to communicate with your partner to ensure effective court coverage. For example, if the female partner serves out wide to the tramline, the male partner would typically cover the shortest distance straight, while the female partner covers the longer cross distance. The wide serve can be an effective tactic in badminton doubles, but it should be used sparingly and with careful consideration of your positioning and your opponent's capabilities.
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Flick serve: useful to play occasionally to prevent your opponent from anticipating your low serve
The flick serve is an advanced level of serving that can be used to catch your opponent off-guard. It is particularly useful in doubles games, where players stand closer to the service line.
The flick serve is best used occasionally to prevent your opponent from anticipating your low serve. If you always serve low, a smart opponent will be able to predict your move and react more quickly. By mixing in the occasional flick serve, you can keep your opponent on their toes, as they will need to be both physically and mentally ready for either type of serve.
To perform a successful flick serve, you must convince your opponent that you are planning a low serve until the last minute. Start by assuming the low serve position: stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your non-dominant foot in front, as close to the service line as possible without touching it. Hold the shuttle at your waist and begin with a gentle backswing, shifting your weight to your dominant foot. To fool your opponent, bring your racket back in a slow, steady motion, just as you would for a normal low serve.
While the flick serve can be a powerful weapon in your arsenal, it is not as objectively good as the low serve. If you overuse it, your opponent will be able to anticipate it, rendering it ineffective. It is also important to note that the flick serve can leave you vulnerable if your opponent can tell that it's coming. So, while it is a useful tactic to mix things up, it should be used sparingly and with the element of surprise.
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Drive serve: a high-risk tactic that can be used to win cheap points against less skilled opponents
The drive serve is a risky tactic in badminton doubles. It involves serving the shuttlecock at a flat angle, with the racquet at almost net level. This means that the serve has to go up slightly in trajectory to remain within the rules of the game. The height of the shuttlecock should be less than 5 inches from the top of the net.
The drive serve is a high-risk, high-reward shot. If your opponent fails to react in time, you win the point. However, if they do react, you will likely lose the point. At lower levels of play, the drive serve can be used to win cheap points, as less skilled opponents often struggle to return it. More experienced players, however, will be able to cut it off and return it with ease. Even weak players will usually adapt to the drive serve after the initial shock, so it is not a tactic that should be overused.
When performing a drive serve, it is important to control the speed and placement of the shot. You want to make your opponent uncomfortable and force them to move awkwardly to intercept the shuttlecock. For example, if your opponent is right-handed, you could drive serve to their left shoulder. It is also important not to push the shuttlecock too hard, as this may cause you to lose control and hit it out of bounds.
The drive serve can be an effective way to mix up your serving style and throw off your opponent. However, it should be used sparingly and with careful consideration of your opponent's skills and positioning.
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Service rules: the laws of the game, including the correct serving technique and where to stand
Serving is a crucial part of a badminton player's gameplay. The service rules in badminton doubles are slightly more complicated than in singles. The service court is smaller and wider in doubles, making serving more strategic. The player who serves first in any game shall do so from the right side of the service court on which they begin the match. If the server has won an even number of points during a game, then they shall serve from the right side of the service court for the subsequent point. In case the server has won an odd number of points during a game, they serve from the left side of the service court for the subsequent point. Players take turns serving and switch sides after each serve.
A correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent's side without the shuttle getting stuck in the net or exceeding the boundaries of the badminton court, with some part of their feet in contact with the court surface. The entire shuttlecock should be below the waist of the server at the instant it is hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards in an underhand motion. If the server's shuttle goes out of bounds of the court, the receiving player/side wins the point. Once both sides are ready for the service, the first forward movement of the server's racket head should initiate the service.
Professional doubles players tend to use the low serve more than any other serve as it is more difficult for the opponent to attack. It is the only serve that starts to fall below net height immediately after crossing the net. Serving straight limits the opponent's angles of attack. For example, any net shots or pushes must pass through your hitting area, allowing you to intercept them more easily. Playing the serve directly at the receiver is also a good option as it makes it difficult for them to decide whether to play a forehand or a backhand.
In mixed doubles, the man and woman should stand in a way that allows them to start the rally in their preferred formation. The woman should not stand too close or too far from the net when the man is serving. She should have her racket up at around net height to give the best chance of being early on the third shot. The man should not stand further back than 2 racket lengths from the service line to his front foot.
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