
Badminton is a high-speed indoor racket sport that requires players to have a good understanding of the rules before stepping onto the court. Serving is a crucial part of the game, and there are several types of serves, such as the high serve, low serve, and backhand flick serve, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. To serve, players must stand inside the service court, with both feet in contact with the ground and neither touching any lines. The direction of the serve depends on the player's score, with an even score requiring a serve from the right-hand court and an odd score from the left. The birdie, or shuttlecock, must be struck below waist height, and the server must aim to hit it diagonally into the opponent's service box.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Court position | Stand inside the service court, in the right-hand service court for an even score, and the left-hand court for an odd score. |
| Foot position | Place your non-dominant foot forward, and keep both feet in contact with the ground. |
| Racket position | Hold the racket level with your shoulder. |
| Shuttlecock drop | Drop the shuttle from your free hand and time your swing so that the racket strikes it just below your waist. |
| Low serve | Bend your wrist back and push gently as you strike the shuttle. |
| High serve | Swing your racket in an arc down to your knees, then bring it up and around your shoulder after hitting the shuttle. |
| Backhand serve | Drop the shuttle sideways rather than in front of your body and hit it flatter. |
| Diagonal serve | Serve diagonally into the opponent's service box. |
| Net rules | If the shuttlecock hits the net but goes over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. If it lands short or wide, the receiver wins the point. |
| Scoring rules | Matches are best of 3 games to 21 points, with a 2-point margin for victory. If the score reaches 29-29, a sudden death point is played. |
| Court boundaries | The court is 13.41m long and 5.18m wide for singles, and 6.1m wide for doubles. The net is 1.55m high at the ends and 1.52m high in the middle. |
| Shuttlecock rules | The shuttlecock must pass the short service line, which is 1.98m from the net. It must be struck below 1.15m from the court surface. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Court positioning: Stand inside the service court, with both feet on the ground
- Footwork: Place your non-dominant foot forward, without touching any lines
- Hand and racket: Hold the racket level with your shoulder, dropping the shuttle from your free hand
- Striking the shuttle: Swing to hit below the waist, keeping the shuttle below 1.15m from the court
- Serve types: Try a low, high, flick, drive, or backhand serve

Court positioning: Stand inside the service court, with both feet on the ground
Court positioning is a critical aspect of serving in badminton. To execute a valid serve, you must stand inside the service court, ensuring that no part of your body touches the lines. This rule applies to both singles and doubles matches, and the positioning may vary depending on the type of game and your score.
In singles, the court is narrower, measuring 13.41m (44ft) in length and 5.18m (17ft) in width. For a valid serve, you must position yourself within these boundaries, ensuring that neither your feet nor any other body part touches the side or baseline.
In doubles, the court expands to its full width, including the outer 'tramlines.' Here, the width extends to 6.1m (20ft). During the service, the court shortens, with the rear 'tramlines' at the back of the court considered out of bounds until the serve is returned. As the server, you must position yourself within the service court, adhering to the same rules regarding touching the lines.
Additionally, the direction of your serve depends on your score. If you have an even score, stand in the right-hand service court. If you have an odd score, move to the left-hand service court. This rule ensures your serve travels diagonally to your opponent's side.
It is important to note that you must keep both feet on the ground during the serve. Your back left foot may naturally lift as you swing the racket, but be sure to keep your toes on the ground. This rule applies to both the server and the receiver, adding a layer of stability and strategy to the game.
Iowa High School Boys Basketball: TV Channel Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$5.99

Footwork: Place your non-dominant foot forward, without touching any lines
Footwork is an important aspect of serving in badminton. It is crucial to position your feet correctly to ensure a valid serve.
Firstly, make sure you are standing inside the service court, without touching any of the lines. This is a key rule in badminton serving. Your feet must be in contact with the ground, and neither can be lifted off the ground during the serve. Place your non-dominant foot forward. This will provide balance and stability as you serve.
If you are playing doubles, stand 2-3 feet behind the inside back line. This is not the very back line, but the one in front of it. In singles, the court is thinner, and the 'tramlines' are out of bounds. In doubles, the court is full width, and these tramlines are in play.
Remember, your footwork is just one part of your service technique. It is important to coordinate your footwork with your arm movement and the timing of your swing to execute a successful serve.
The Standard Size of Men's Indoor Basketballs Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Hand and racket: Hold the racket level with your shoulder, dropping the shuttle from your free hand
To serve in badminton, you need to start by holding your racket level with your shoulder, with the shuttlecock in your free hand. Stand with your non-dominant foot forward, inside the service court, without touching any of the lines. This is important because stepping on the lines during your serve will make it invalid.
When you're ready to serve, drop the shuttlecock from your free hand and swing the racket so that it strikes the shuttlecock just below your waist. The timing of your swing is crucial. It is important to note that the shuttlecock must be struck below waist height, as per the rules of the game.
For a low serve, gently tap the shuttlecock with your racket, aiming for it to fly just over the net and fall just over the front line of your opponent's service court. Be careful not to make it too high or predictable, as your opponent may take advantage and smash it back at you.
On the other hand, a high serve involves a powerful upward strike with the shuttlecock, aiming for it to travel a great distance and fall deep at the rear end of the court. This is a popular choice for beginner players, but it may be easy for more experienced opponents to predict.
You can also try a backhand flick serve, which is a deceptive serve that makes it look like you're doing a low serve. This serves to confuse your opponent, as the stroke looks the same until the point of contact with the shuttlecock.
High School Basketball: Understanding Flagrant Fouls
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Striking the shuttle: Swing to hit below the waist, keeping the shuttle below 1.15m from the court
Striking the shuttlecock is a key part of serving in badminton. The shuttlecock must be struck below 1.15m from the court, and below the server's waist. The waist is considered an imaginary line around the body, level with the lowest part of the server's bottom rib.
To strike the shuttlecock, you can start by holding it below your waist, then letting it drop a few inches before making contact. This is a legal serve, and it can be an effective strategy as it takes a sharper trajectory and descends deceptively into the opponent's court. It is important to strike the shuttlecock with a continuous motion, without pausing, and to ensure that the shuttlecock does not travel above 1.15m.
The cork of the shuttlecock must be struck, not the feathers. This is an important rule to avoid a fault. The shaft and the racket head of the server's racket should be pointing in a downward direction when making contact with the shuttlecock. It is also important to note that the shuttlecock cannot strike any fixtures above the court, such as lights or basketball hoops, as this will result in a let or a fault.
Additionally, the server must stand inside the service court, ensuring that they do not touch any lines. The direction of the serve depends on the score. If the score is even, the server stands in the right-hand service court and hits the shuttlecock towards the left. If the score is odd, the server stands in the left-hand court and hits the shuttlecock towards the right.
Basketball Tournament Victory: Grainger County Triumphs Over Cheatham
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Serve types: Try a low, high, flick, drive, or backhand serve
Serving is a crucial part of badminton, and there are several types of serves you can try to keep your opponent guessing. Each serve has its benefits and can be used in different situations to gain an advantage. Here is a detailed description of the different types of serves:
Low Serve: This serve is perfect for keeping the shuttle low and making it difficult for your opponent to attack. The idea is to hit the shuttle with a downward motion, aiming for the lower half of the net, and using a backhand or forehand action. The low serve is often used to make your opponent lift the shuttle, allowing you to then smash it down.
High Serve: As the name suggests, this serve is the opposite of the low serve. You aim to hit the shuttle with an upward motion, sending it high over the net and towards the back of your opponent's court. This serve can be useful to push your opponent further back and create space for you to attack the next shot.
Flick Serve: Quick and deceptive, the flick serve is executed by flicking your wrist, creating a fast and low shot that can catch your opponent off guard. This serve is often used to surprise the opponent and make them rush their return.
Drive Serve: The drive serve is a powerful and fast serve that is designed to push your opponent back. The shuttle is hit with a long and fast forward motion, usually with a forehand action, and is aimed at the body of your opponent. The speed and power of this serve can put your opponent under pressure and force them to lift the shuttle.
Backhand Serve: This serve is executed with a backhand action, where you swing your racket across your body from right to left (for a right-handed player). The backhand serve is versatile and can be used for both low and high serves. It adds variety to your serving repertoire and keeps your opponent guessing. The backhand action also allows you to generate different types of spins and angles on the shuttle.
Each of these serves has its advantages and can be used strategically during a game of badminton. Practicing these serves can help improve your technique and keep your opponent unbalanced, always forcing them to guess your next move.
Cleaning White Kyrie Shoes: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also









































