Helena Frye
Badminton doubles is a fast-paced game that requires teamwork and coordination between partners to win rallies and gain points. To excel at badminton doubles, it is essential to understand the different playing formations, service rules, and strategies. Partners must communicate effectively, play to their strengths, and adapt their shots and positioning to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. This introduction will provide an overview of the key tactics and techniques to improve your badminton doubles game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Service rules | Serve diagonally to the court that is opposite to where you're standing |
| Foot placement | Some part of both feet must be touching the ground when serving |
| Playing formations | Attacking formation: one player in front, one at the back; Defensive formation: both players side by side |
| Strategies | Hit the shuttle at its highest point, vary your serves, play intelligent shots, focus on drives and flat strokes |
| Communication | Maintain an open line of communication with your partner, be encouraging |
| Opponent's weaknesses | Find weaknesses in opponents early and exploit them |
| Teamwork | Trust each other, don't blame each other for mistakes |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a formation: attacking or defensive
When playing badminton doubles, you can choose between an attacking formation and a defensive formation.
Attacking Formation
In the attacking formation, one player stands in front of the court, while the other stands behind them. The player in front, known as the "setter", is responsible for securing the net position and applying pressure from the net area to force lifts from their opponents. They also intercept short defences, smashing the shuttlecock if the opponents hit a poor lift. The player at the back, known as the "attacker", plays a defensive role, covering the back of the court and firing powerful shots to penetrate their opponent's defences.
Defensive Formation
In the defensive formation, both players stand side by side, each covering their respective sides of the court. This formation is often used when the opposing team is attacking, as it allows each player to defend their own side of the court, rather than covering the full width. When defending, it is important to be prepared for your opponent's powerful smashes and employ defensive skills such as the ""block defence". This involves lifting the shuttlecock high after receiving a smash, then sending it back deep into your opponent's baseline to prevent them from intercepting with a half-court smash.
It is important to note that doubles tactics are largely based on attacking play. Therefore, your choices should improve your opportunities for attacking shots, particularly smashes and net kills. However, when playing with a weaker partner, it is advisable to adopt a defensive formation to minimise their weaknesses and maximise your own attacking opportunities.
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Serve diagonally and vary your serves
Serving diagonally is a fundamental rule in badminton doubles. The server must serve the shuttlecock diagonally, meaning that if you are standing on the left side of the court, you need to serve the shuttlecock to land on the right side of the court from your perspective (your opponent's left court). There are two service courts on each side, separated by a centre line, and you must serve to the court that is diagonal to yours.
When serving, you must also ensure that some part of both your feet is touching the ground. This means that you cannot have one foot lifted while the other is touching the ground. To help keep both feet in contact with the floor, you can stand on your tiptoes while serving.
Varying your serves is also crucial in badminton doubles. A low serve is often preferable as your opponent will have a harder time attacking it, and it will likely prompt a lift from them. You can also try a short backhand serve or a high-toss serve to initiate proceedings. If you are a left-hander, your serves will bring their own set of challenges, depending on the angle at which the shuttlecock arrives.
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Communicate and coordinate with your partner
Communication and coordination are key to success in badminton doubles. It is a team game and requires a team effort to win. When playing doubles, you and your partner must coordinate and work together to win rallies and gain points.
Keep an open line of communication with your partner throughout the game. Talk to each other and encourage each other. If your partner makes a mistake, don't blame them as this can result in miscommunication and added pressure, which could cause you to lose the game. Instead, focus on your partner's strengths and try to minimise their weaknesses. Communicate to find ways to bring out their strong points.
Discuss and decide on your playing formation. You could choose an attacking formation, where one player is in front of the court and the other is at the back, or a defensive formation, where both players stand side by side. If you are playing with a weaker partner, it is generally better to be in a front-back formation with the weaker player at the net. This is because net shots require a shorter swing and often less power and skill.
When you are side by side, you can play a block into space on the court and your partner can move forward to the net straight away. If you are returning the serve, reach it as early as you can and hit it down your side of the court, then move backward straight away with your partner moving forward. If you are receiving a high serve, the receiver should move to the back of the court and their partner should go to the front of the court, as this gives the receiving team a chance to attack.
Keep the opponent on the move as much as possible. Try to move them from the net to the back and from the forehand to the backhand side to fatigue them quicker. Try to change the speed of play by mixing up shots. For example, hit some slower shots, such as drop shots and net shots, with faster shots in between, such as smashes and drives.
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Keep the shuttle low and play intelligent shots
Playing intelligent shots is a crucial aspect of badminton doubles. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Keeping the Shuttle Low
Keeping the shuttle low is an effective strategy in badminton doubles. When returning a serve, aim to keep the shuttle as low as possible or direct it downwards towards your opponents. This can force them to lift the shuttle, giving you an opportunity to attack. A low serve is also preferable when you are serving, as it makes it harder for your opponents to attack and often prompts them to lift the shuttle.
Playing Intelligent Shots
Intelligent shot selection is key to winning in badminton doubles. Here are some tips:
- Avoid high lifts or clears unless necessary: Lifting the shuttle high or clearing gives your opponents an opportunity to attack. Instead, focus on keeping the shuttle low and applying pressure with consecutive attacks.
- Vary your shots: Play a mix of straight and cross-court shots. When playing with a weaker partner, avoid lifting cross-court as it gives your opponents a shorter distance to cover and can expose your partner's weaknesses.
- Avoid hard shots from the mid-court: Hard shots from the mid-court can create gaps that your opponents can exploit. Instead, focus on playing drives and flat strokes.
- Communicate and work as a team: Discuss strategies with your partner and play to their strengths. Cover each other's weaknesses and maintain a tight formation to prevent your opponents from exploiting gaps.
- Place the shuttle between your opponents: Hitting the shuttle between your opponents can create confusion and give you an advantage. Aim for the gap between them, rather than directly at a player.
- Be patient and wait for the right moment to attack: Don't smash blindly. Instead, smash when you are in a good position and can put pressure on your opponents.
- Use block defence: When your opponents smash, practice retrieving the shuttle with a block defence. Lift the shuttle high and send it back to the attacker at the baseline.
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Focus on playing to your strengths
Playing badminton doubles is quite different from singles. It is a team game that requires coordination and teamwork to win. It is fast-paced and heavily focused on attacking play. To play to your strengths, you must first identify what these are. For example, if your partner has a good serve, let them serve first. If you are the stronger player, take the lead and communicate this to your partner.
When playing with a weaker partner, it is important to get them to the net as much as possible. This is because net shots require shorter swings and less power and skill. You can also play intelligent shots where the reply will likely come back to you. For instance, if you need to lift, don't lift cross-court as it will be harder for your partner to defend a straight smash. Instead, play a straight lift and aim straight shots in your attack.
Another way to play to your strengths is to vary your serves and returns. A low serve is preferable as your opponent will have a harder time attacking it. Also, try to win the point in the first three shots to win the rally without your partner even hitting a shot. However, don't change your partner's serve and return too much during the match, as this can lower their confidence.
Finally, always try to keep the attack and convert your opponent's attack into defence. Keep your opponents on the move and don't allow them to play "me to you" badminton, where they simply stand in the centre of the court and hit the shuttle back and forth.
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Frequently asked questions
Serving diagonally is a key rule in badminton doubles. If you are standing on the left side of the court, serve the shuttle to the right side of the court (from your perspective). It is also important to vary your serves—a low serve is preferable as your opponent will have a harder time attacking it. Keep both feet stationary and in contact with the ground when serving.
Communication and coordination with your partner are crucial when playing badminton doubles. Always try to place the shuttle between your opponents to create confusion and gain an advantage. Focus on playing drives and flat strokes, and keep the shuttle low. Attacking play, especially smashes and net kills, are important tactics in doubles. However, only smash when you are sure of putting pressure on your opponents, and do not smash recklessly or when out of position.
Your positioning will depend on the types of shots you and your opponents choose to make. When serving, the server and receiver should stand just behind the service line, while the other players take up back positions near the midcourt. When receiving a high serve, move to the back of the court and let your partner take the front, as this gives your team an opportunity to attack. If you are playing with a weaker partner, employ a front-back formation with the weaker player at the net, as shots at the net require shorter swings and less power/skill.
