Kristian Ferrell
Badminton doubles is similar to singles, but with a few key differences. To play well, it's important to understand the rules, such as serving diagonally and ensuring only one player on a team hits the shuttle. You should also choose between an attacking or defensive formation and communicate with your partner. Doubles tactics are often based on attacking play, with players aiming to improve their chances of attacking shots, particularly smashes and net kills. It's also important to cover the court effectively, with purposeful positioning that takes advantage of your partner's strengths. Practicing regularly with a doubles partner and discussing strategies will help you improve your gameplay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 vs 2 |
| Court | Four service courts, two on each side separated by a center line |
| Service rules | Serve diagonally to the court that is diagonal to yours |
| Footwork | Some part of both feet must be touching the ground when you serve |
| Formations | Attacking (one player in front, one at the back) or defensive (players side by side) |
| Strategies | Hit the shuttle at its highest point, focus on attack shots like smashes and net kills, minimize defensive/neutral shots, hit straight shots |
| Rotation | If you hit a net shot, move to the center front and cover the front while your partner covers the back |
| Communication | Maintain an open line of communication with your partner |
| Playing with a weaker partner | Get your partner to the net as much as possible, cover more of the court, play intelligent shots, encourage your partner |
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What You'll Learn
Know the basic rules
To play badminton doubles well, it is important to know the basic rules of the game. Badminton doubles is played between four players, with two players in each team on either side of the net. The game starts with one player serving the shuttle diagonally to the player of the opposing team. The opponent then receives the serve and returns the shuttle to the other side. The rally continues until a team wins a point. The team that wins the point gets to serve for the next point. When serving, the server's feet must be touching the ground, and they should serve to the court that is diagonal to theirs. For example, if you are standing on the left side of the court, serve the shuttle to the right side of the opponent's court.
It is important to note that only one player on a team is allowed to hit the shuttle. If both players touch the shuttle with their rackets, the team gives away a point. A player can only touch the shuttle with their racquet, and touching it with any other part of the body results in a foul and a lost point. The player must also hit the shuttle over the net, and sending it under the net results in a lost point. When serving or receiving a serve, the player's feet should not touch any lines on the court.
Communication and coordination with your partner are crucial in doubles. Discuss strategies, positioning skills, and tactics for different scenarios. Understand the basic doubles strategy to make purposeful decisions about where to stand on the court. Attacking formations, where one player is in front and the other is at the back, are common. In this formation, the front player usually employs net kills, which require a short swing and a change in hand position. Defensive formations, where both players stand side by side, are also used.
While playing, anticipate your opponents' moves and patterns to gain an advantage. Focus on attacking shots, such as smashes and net kills, and minimise defensive or neutral shots, especially on the backhand side. Practice regularly with your partner to improve your gameplay and adapt your tactics accordingly.
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Choose a formation
When it comes to choosing a formation for badminton doubles, there are a few options to consider. The two main formations are the attacking formation and the defensive formation. In the attacking formation, one player is positioned in front of the court, while the other player takes up a position at the back. This formation is geared towards an aggressive playing style, seeking to gain and maintain the offensive advantage.
On the other hand, the defensive formation involves both players standing side by side, providing mutual support and protection. This formation is more conservative and aims to maintain control of the court and reduce vulnerabilities.
While these are the two primary formations, it's worth noting that many top doubles teams do not fixate on a single formation or playing position. Instead, they adopt a flexible approach, moving between the front and back courts, as well as the mid-court, depending on the situation. This adaptability can be advantageous, keeping opponents off-balance and allowing you to capitalise on opportunities as they arise.
When choosing a formation, it's also important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of your partnership. If you have a weaker partner, for instance, it's often advisable to employ a front-back formation with the weaker player at the net. This setup allows the weaker player to take advantage of the relatively easier shots at the net, which require shorter swings and less power or skill. It also enables you to cover more of the court and play intelligent shots that will likely result in a return to your side of the court.
Additionally, when playing with a weaker partner, it's crucial to focus on controlled shots, particularly to the middle or between your opponents. This strategy creates indecision and reduces the angles they can play. However, if you find yourself in a favourable position, don't hesitate to go for a winning shot with a hard drive.
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Communicate with your partner
Communication is key when playing badminton doubles. The name of the game implies partnership, so it is important to maintain an open line of communication with your partner.
Firstly, discuss and decide on your playing formation. You can choose between 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. It is common for players to simply say "let's play sides" or "let's play front and back", but with an understanding of basic doubles strategy, you can make purposeful decisions about where to stand. For example, if you think you have an advantage on the front court, try to hit a clear to the back court or a slice or drop shot. This will limit your opponents' options and allow your partner to set up an attack. Alternatively, if you are playing with a weaker partner, it is generally better to adopt 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.
Secondly, communicate about your shot choices. All your shots should ultimately be guided by the principle of attack. Employ net kills by changing the position of your hand and performing a short swing. Make sure your racket is up before the shuttle arrives so you don't accidentally hit it into the net. If you are playing with a weaker partner, play more controlled shots, especially to the middle or between your opponents, to create indecision and reduce the angles they can play. Avoid playing hard shots from the mid-court as this can expose gaps in the court that your partner might not be able to cover.
Finally, communicate about your positioning. If you hit a net shot, head towards the centre front and cover the front, while your partner covers the back. 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.
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Use attacking tactics
When playing badminton doubles, you should always make choices that improve your opportunities to play attacking shots, especially smashes and net kills. Here are some tips to improve your attacking tactics:
Formations
You can choose between an attacking formation, where one player is in front of the court with the other one in the back, or a defensive formation, where both players stand side by side. The front player usually employs net kills. In the attacking formation, the front player can also hit a clear to the back court or a slice or drop, forcing the opponent to hit a clear or lift, which your partner in the back court can then smash. Alternatively, when standing side by side, you can play a block into space on the court, and your partner can move forward to the net.
Shot Choice
All your shot choices should be guided by the principle of attack. Focus on keeping the attack with straight shots, especially when driving or smashing. Minimise your overhead backhand drops/clears and play more controlled shots to the middle or between your opponents to create indecision and reduce the angles they can play with. If you are playing with a weaker partner, play intelligent shots where the reply will likely come back to you.
Serve
A good short serve can set up your partner for the attack.
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Serve and return
Serving and returning a serve are crucial components of badminton doubles. To serve, you must follow the service rules and stand on either the left or right side of the court, depending on where you intend to serve the shuttle. For instance, if you're on the left side of the court, serve the shuttle to the right side of the opponent's court. It's important to maintain a stationary position while serving, ensuring that some part of both feet remains in contact with the ground.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of returning a serve in badminton doubles. Firstly, understand that an effective return of serve requires mastering four technical components: stance, grip, racket positioning, and movement.
Regarding your stance, position your non-racket leg in front, bearing most of your weight. Keep your back leg ready, and stay on your toes or the balls of your feet. Angle your front foot slightly towards the net. Standing closer to the service line can give you an advantage by increasing your chances of playing a better shot.
When it comes to grip, ensure that only the pad of your thumb touches the handle, with your thumb placed behind the badminton handle. Keep your racket up before the shuttle arrives to avoid making a larger swing than necessary and accidentally hitting the net or the shuttle into your side of the net. Ensure your racket is above the shuttle, and maintain a tight grip before making contact.
For racket positioning, aim to hit the shuttle with a flat racket face to prevent it from going too high over the net. Avoid bending your wrist or using too much arm. Focus on using your wrist to guide the racket, and keep your arm relaxed.
Lastly, your movement after the return is crucial. You have two main options:
- Push off with your racket leg while keeping it at the back and leading with your non-racket leg. This method requires practice but can save time.
- Use whichever leg feels most comfortable to lead with. This provides flexibility, as some players prefer keeping their racket leg at the back, while others opt to bring it forward.
Remember, varying your returns is essential to keeping your opponents guessing and preventing them from capitalizing on predictable returns.
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Frequently asked questions
The basic rules for badminton doubles include serving the shuttle diagonally to the opposite court and ensuring that some part of both feet remains on the ground while serving. Only one player per team is allowed to hit the shuttle, and it must be hit over the net.
Doubles tactics often focus on attacking play, particularly smashes and net kills. Positioning is key, and you should aim to cover the court effectively with your partner. Communicate and coordinate with your partner to play off each other's strengths.
You can choose between an attacking formation, with one player in front and the other at the back, or a defensive formation, where both players stand side by side. There are no fixed rules on formations, so be prepared to adapt based on the situation.
Encourage your partner to take up a front position at the net, as shots there require shorter swings and less power. Communicate effectively and play intelligent shots to cover more of the court. Avoid hard shots from the mid-court, as they can expose gaps and put your partner under pressure.
Serving in doubles starts from the right service court when your team's score is even (2, 4, 6, etc.) and from the left service court when the score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.). The server must stand in their right or left service court and serve diagonally to the opponent's corresponding court.
