Andrew Pace
Serving is an important aspect of badminton, as it is the one shot that is used in every single rally. There are three basic types of serves: high serve, low serve, and flick serve. The high serve is used in singles matches, while the low serve is used in both singles and doubles. The flick serve is used unexpectedly in doubles matches to surprise the opponent. When serving, players must follow certain rules, such as keeping their feet in contact with the ground, not touching any court lines, and striking the cork of the shuttle below the waist with a downward motion. The serve must also be delivered in one continuous motion without any pauses. A good understanding of the basics allows players to mix up their serves and keep their opponents guessing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of serves | Low, high, flick, drive |
| Purpose of low serve | To make the birdie land close to the service line and force the opponent to move forward |
| Purpose of high, drive, and flick serves | To send the birdie farther back, but at different speeds and heights |
| High serve | A forehand underarm serve with lots of follow-through |
| Drive serve | Low but quick |
| Flick serve | A "fake-out" serve that looks like a low serve but with a sudden flick at the end, sending the birdie deep into the court |
| Foot placement | Both feet must be in contact with the floor, and cannot be touching any of the court lines |
| Striking the birdie | The cork must be struck, not the feather |
| Birdie height | The birdie must be struck below 1.15m |
| Motion | The serve must be delivered in a forward continuous motion |
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What You'll Learn
- Foot placement: Both feet must be in contact with the floor when serving, not touching any lines
- Hand grip: Hold the birdie's feather with your thumb, index and middle finger, with the head pointing down
- Racket position: The racket shaft must be pointing downwards, with the head below the racket hand
- Body stance: Stand 2-3 feet behind the short service line, inside the service court
- Serve types: High, low, flick, drive and short serves are the most common types
Foot placement: Both feet must be in contact with the floor when serving, not touching any lines
Foot placement is a critical aspect of serving in badminton. To execute a legal serve, both of your feet must remain in contact with the floor during the serve. This means that no part of your feet should be lifted off the ground. While it's natural for your back left foot to lift slightly as you swing the racket, ensure that your toes stay grounded. Additionally, avoid dragging your foot along the ground during the serve. You can, however, pivot on the spot.
It's important not only to keep your feet on the ground but also to place them correctly in relation to the court lines. Both feet must be clear of any lines on the court. If any part of your body touches a service line, your team will be at fault, and your serve will not count. This rule applies to both the server and the receiver. Until the shuttle is struck, the receiver must also maintain contact with the ground, keeping their feet clear of any lines.
When serving, you can stand anywhere within your service court, including the tramlines, as long as you don't touch any boundary lines. The specific service court you use depends on whether you're playing singles or doubles and your current score. If you're playing singles, position yourself 2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters) behind the short service line, which is the line closest to the net. If your score is an odd number, serve from the left service court.
Remember, foot placement is just one aspect of a legal serve in badminton. Other rules govern the height of the shuttle, the direction of the racket, and the continuity of the serving motion. Understanding and adhering to these rules will help ensure your serves are executed correctly and fairly during the game.
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Hand grip: Hold the birdie's feather with your thumb, index and middle finger, with the head pointing down
Holding the birdie correctly is an important part of serving in badminton. To perform a short or low serve, hold the feather part of the birdie with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, ensuring the head is pointing downwards. This grip is known as the backhand grip.
The backhand grip is used for a short serve because it allows you to hit the shuttle below your waist, which is a requirement for a legal serve. A low serve is performed with a backhand grip and a downward racquet position. The birdie should be hit with a forward, continuous motion, ensuring that your feet are not touching any lines on the court.
When performing a short serve, you want the birdie to land in front of your opponent, ideally close to the net, to prevent them from making an offensive shot. This type of serve is often used in doubles matches.
For a deep or high serve, the birdie is still held with the same finger placement, but the head of the birdie is not pointed downwards. Instead, the racquet is positioned higher, and the birdie is hit with an upward motion, causing it to land at the back of the court. This type of serve is more commonly used in singles matches.
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Racket position: The racket shaft must be pointing downwards, with the head below the racket hand
To serve a birdie in badminton, the racket shaft must be pointing downwards, with the head of the racket below the racket hand. This means that the shuttle will have to go upwards to clear the net, and it is one of the reasons that the serve is considered a defensive shot.
To achieve this correct racket position, the server should hold the birdie with their thumb and index finger, with the head pointing downwards. The backhand grip is used, and the racquet is positioned behind the birdie, also pointing downward. The server's feet must be in contact with the floor when striking the shuttle, and the whole shuttle must be struck below 1.15m.
The serve must be delivered in a forward continuous motion, with no pauses during the serving action. This means that stopping at the backswing and then moving forwards, or moving forwards and backwards multiple times before striking the shuttle, are illegal serves.
It is important to note that the base of the shuttle (the cork) must be struck first when serving, and not the feathers. This rule was added to the game because hitting the feathers first created a lot of spin on the shuttle and gave players an advantage.
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Body stance: Stand 2-3 feet behind the short service line, inside the service court
To serve a birdie in badminton, your body stance is crucial. You must position yourself inside the service court, standing 2-3 feet behind the short service line. This line is the one closest to the net. It's important that no part of your body touches the service line, as this will result in a fault, and your serve will not count. Ensure that you're not touching any boundary lines, and you can stay anywhere within your half, even in the tramlines.
When serving, you must keep both feet in contact with the floor. Your feet should not move or lift off the ground until after you've made contact with the birdie. Your back left foot will naturally lift as you swing the racket, but keep your toes on the ground.
The birdie must be struck below your waist, specifically below the bottom of your rib cage. The rules state that the whole shuttle must be below 1.15m. This means you cannot use overhanded serves like in tennis or volleyball. The racket shaft must also be pointing downwards to some degree when you make contact with the shuttle.
The service court you use depends on whether you're playing singles or doubles and which side of the court you're on, determined by your score. If you're playing singles and your score is odd, you serve from the left service court.
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Serve types: High, low, flick, drive and short serves are the most common types
Serving in badminton is an important skill to master, as it is used at the start of every rally. By varying your serves, you can keep your opponent on their toes and prevent them from anticipating your moves. Here are the most common types of serves:
High Serve
The high serve is a forehand underarm serve with lots of follow-through. It sends the birdie towards the back of the court, with a steep vertical drop, making it difficult for your opponent to return. This serve is particularly effective in singles games.
Low Serve
The low serve is a basic shot that causes the birdie to land close to the service line, forcing your opponent to move forward quickly. It is one of the easiest techniques to master and can be used to surprise your opponent when they are preparing to move back.
Flick Serve
The flick serve is a "fake-out" move that initially looks like a low serve. However, with a sudden flick at the last minute, the birdie is sent deep into the court. This serve can be used to catch your opponent off guard.
Drive Serve
The drive serve is a long serve that is primarily used in doubles. It is executed with a short backswing, a relaxed grip, and a quick rotation of the racket face at the last second. This serve is low and fast, putting pressure on your opponent to hit the birdie before it passes them.
Short Serve
The short serve, also known as the low serve, aims for the short service line in front of your opponent. This serve can prevent them from making an offensive shot, especially in doubles games.
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