
Serving is an important aspect of badminton, as it is the shot that begins every rally. To serve, a player must stand inside a service court without touching any boundary lines and with both feet planted on the ground. The serve must be hit from behind the service line and travel diagonally from one side of the court into the opposite service box. The shuttlecock must be struck with an underarm action, below the waist, and it must go over the net and land inside the court boundaries. There are three basic types of serve: high serve, low serve, and flick serve.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | A player must serve the ball at the start of every rally |
| Foot placement | Both feet must be in contact with the floor and no part of the foot should be touching the service line or other court boundaries |
| Service court | Depends on whether playing singles or doubles and the side of the court depends on the player's score |
| Service line | In singles, stand 2-3 ft (0.61-0.91 m) behind the short service line, which is the line closest to the net |
| Service direction | The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court and over their front service line |
| Service height | The whole shuttle must be struck below 1.15m |
| Racket placement | The racket shaft must be pointing downwards, i.e., the head of the racket must be below the racket hand |
| Service types | High serve, low serve, and flick serve |
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What You'll Learn
- Foot placement: Both feet must be on the ground, not touching any boundary lines
- Body stance: Stand on the balls of your feet, knees flexed, with your non-dominant foot back
- Hand grip: Hold the shuttlecock by the feathers, with the base pointing down
- Racket position: The racket head must be below the hand, pointing downward
- Shuttlecock height: The shuttlecock must be struck below the waist

Foot placement: Both feet must be on the ground, not touching any boundary lines
Foot placement is a crucial aspect of serving in badminton. To execute a legal serve, both feet must remain in contact with the ground throughout the serving motion. This means that no part of your foot should be touching any boundary lines or the service line. Instead, your feet should be positioned inside the service court, with some space between your feet and the lines.
It is important to note that dragging your foot along the ground during the serve is not allowed. However, you are permitted to pivot on the balls of your feet, with your knees slightly flexed. This stance provides stability and allows you to transfer your body weight from the back foot to the front foot during the serve.
While serving, be mindful not to lift either foot off the ground. Your back left foot may naturally lift as you swing the racket, but it's essential to keep your toes on the ground. This rule applies equally to both the server and the receiver; both players must have both feet in contact with the ground until the shuttle is struck.
Additionally, the rules specify that the shuttle must be hit below the waist. This means that the shuttle should be struck at a point below the server's bottom rib, ensuring that the racket shaft and head are angled in a downward direction. This rule promotes consistency and fairness in the game, ensuring that the serve is executed from a consistent and legal position.
By adhering to these foot placement rules during the serve, you can improve your technique, minimise faults, and ensure a smooth and fair gameplay experience.
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Body stance: Stand on the balls of your feet, knees flexed, with your non-dominant foot back
To prepare for a badminton serve, it is important to assume a correct body stance. This involves standing on the balls of your feet with your knees slightly flexed, and placing your non-dominant foot behind you. This stance provides stability and balance, allowing you to transfer your weight effectively during the serve.
When getting into position, ensure that both feet are in contact with the floor. This is a fundamental rule in badminton serving. Keep your feet flat and avoid lifting them off the ground during the serve. Any lifting or dragging of the foot along the ground is considered a fault.
The non-dominant foot should be placed behind you, acting as a stable anchor for your body. This foot placement enables you to generate power by shifting your body weight onto this foot during the serve. By doing so, you can utilise the strength of your legs and core to add force to your shot.
Additionally, the stance should be square or slightly staggered, with the racket-side foot placed in front of the other foot. This means that your racket-holding hand will be closer to the net, allowing for a more comfortable and controlled serving motion.
Remember to maintain this body stance throughout the entire serving motion. From this stable and balanced position, you can execute a powerful and accurate serve while adhering to the rules of badminton.
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Hand grip: Hold the shuttlecock by the feathers, with the base pointing down
Holding the shuttlecock correctly is an important part of serving in badminton. To hold the shuttlecock, grip it by the feathers, with the base pointing down. The thumb and index finger should be placed at the base of the shuttlecock, with the other fingers supporting it from underneath. The non-dominant hand is used to point, while the dominant hand is used to swing the racket.
It is important to note that the rules of badminton do not specify how to hold the shuttlecock during service. However, holding it by the feathers offers some advantages. Firstly, you are less likely to strike your hand while serving. Secondly, you don't have to "drop" the shuttlecock to strike it, allowing for a smoother serving action.
When serving, it is also important to remember that both feet should be in contact with the floor, and no part of the foot should be touching the service line or court boundaries. The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line. The shuttlecock must be hit underarm, with the racket head and shaft angled downward, and the shuttlecock must be below the waist when struck.
By mastering the correct grip and following the rules of serving in badminton, players can improve their technique and keep their opponents guessing.
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Racket position: The racket head must be below the hand, pointing downward
Racket position is crucial when serving in badminton. The rules state that the racket head must be below the hand, pointing downward. This means that the server must hold the racket with the racket head lower than the hand that's gripping the handle. The face of the racket should be pointing towards the ground, and not turned sideways or upwards. This rule is in place to ensure that the shuttlecock is struck in a downward motion, and it also affects the trajectory of the shot.
To achieve this correct racket position, the server should fully extend their elbow and shoulder backward, so the racket points towards the back of the court line. This ensures the racket head is below the hand and angled downward. The server should then transfer their body weight from the back to the front foot as they swing the racket downwards, driving their arm towards the target.
It is important to keep the racket head below the hand throughout the serving motion. The rules state that the shuttlecock must be struck below the waist, so a low racket position is essential. This means that the server should contact the shuttle at a higher point than a tennis serve, for example, but still below the waistline.
The downward angle of the racket head also affects the direction of the shot. The rules state that the serve must travel diagonally to the opponent's half court and land inside their service box. The downward motion of the racket helps achieve this diagonal direction.
The server should also keep their eyes on the shuttlecock throughout the serving motion. This will help ensure that the shuttlecock is struck correctly and that the racket head remains in the correct position below the hand.
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Shuttlecock height: The shuttlecock must be struck below the waist
Serving in badminton is a crucial skill to master, as it is used so frequently and sets the tone for each rally. To serve, you must stand inside a service court without touching any boundary lines, with both feet planted on the ground. The shuttlecock must be struck in a forward continuous motion, with the racket head and shaft angled downward, and the shuttlecock itself must be below waist height.
The specific height requirement for the shuttlecock during a serve is an important rule to understand. The official rule states that the entire shuttlecock must be below 1.15 metres from the floor when it is struck. This height rule is enforced by a service judge who uses a fixed serve height sighting device to check if the shuttlecock is below the line before it is hit. If there is no service judge, as is often the case, it can be challenging to enforce this rule.
The waist height for the shuttlecock is considered to be an imaginary line around the body, level with the lowest part of the server's bottom rib. This rule ensures that the server does not gain an unfair advantage by serving from a higher position, which could make it more challenging for the opponent to return the shot. It also encourages a consistent and fair style of play, where players focus on technique and strategy rather than simply using height to their advantage.
When serving, it is essential to keep the shuttlecock below waist height to avoid an illegal serve. This rule is in place to standardise the serving technique and ensure that serves are consistent and fair for all players. By keeping the shuttlecock below waist height, you also encourage the development of good technique, as it promotes a smooth, controlled swing that can lead to more accurate and powerful shots.
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