Amanda Knapp
Serving in badminton is a crucial skill to master, as it is used at the start of every rally. The service court you use depends on whether you are playing singles or doubles, and the side of the court depends on your score. For example, if your score is even, you serve from the right side, and if it's odd, you serve from the left. When serving, you must stand inside the service court without touching any boundary lines, as this will result in a fault. There are different types of serves, such as the high serve, where the shuttle is aimed to land at the back of the court, and the low serve, where the shuttle is aimed to land near the net. The grip for a serve involves holding the shuttlecock by the feathers with your thumb and index finger, with the shuttle cork facing downward.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to serve | At the start of every rally |
| Where to stand | Inside the service court without touching the boundary lines; in singles, stand 2-3 feet behind the short service line |
| Where to serve | Diagonally; on the right side of the court for an even score and on the left side for an odd score |
| How to hold the shuttle | By the feathers with the thumb and index finger, with the shuttle cork facing downward |
| How to hold the racket | For a forehand swing, bring the racket back to about your shoulder; for a backhand grip, position the racket behind the birdie pointing downward |
| How to serve | Release the shuttle just before swinging the racket; most serves are about pushing the shuttle gently |
| How to serve a high serve | Swing the racket in an arc down to your knees and then bring it up and around your shoulder after hitting the shuttle |
| How to serve a low serve | Bend your wrist back and push gently for a forehand low serve |
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What You'll Learn
Stand inside the service court
When getting ready to serve in badminton, it is important to stand inside the service court without touching any boundary lines. If any part of your body is touching a line, your team will be at fault and the serve will not count. The service court you use depends on whether you are playing singles or doubles, and the side of the court depends on your score. If you are playing singles, stand 2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 m) behind the short service line, which is the line closest to the net.
When serving, you must stand inside a box, with your foot staying on the court. This means that no part of your foot should be over the line or touching any boundary lines. If you are playing doubles, you need to pay attention to your position as you will need to keep track of who should receive and serve.
For a right-handed player, if your score is even, you will serve from the right side of the court, and if your score is odd, you will serve from the left side. For example, if the score is 8-4 in your favour, you will serve from the right side of your court. If your opponent then wins the rally, the score becomes 8-5 and the serve goes to the other side, with them serving from the left side of their court.
It is important to note that the rules for serving in badminton apply to both singles and doubles matches. The only difference is the service court you use, which depends on the type of game you are playing. By standing inside the service court and following the rules for serving, you can ensure that your serves are legal and give your team the best chance to win the rally.
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Know which side to serve from
The side from which you serve in badminton depends on the score. The winner of the last rally always serves, and if their score is even, they serve from the right side of their court; if their score is odd, they serve from the left side. For example, if you are serving and the score is 8-4 in your favour, you would serve from the right side of your court. If your opponent then wins the rally, the score becomes 8-5 and the serve switches to your opponent, who will serve from the left side of their court. This pattern continues throughout the game.
It is important to note that the same rules apply whether you are playing singles or doubles. However, in doubles, you must switch sides with your partner every time you score on your own serve. Additionally, make sure that no part of your body touches a service line when serving, as this will result in a fault and your serve will not count.
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Hold the shuttlecock correctly
Holding the shuttlecock correctly is an important part of serving in badminton. You should grip the shuttlecock by the feathers with your thumb and index finger, with the shuttle cork pointing downward. This grip will give you a cleaner drop when performing a forehand swing. Try to hold the shuttlecock a little lower than your chest and off to the side.
Make sure to keep your other fingers straight so that you don't hit them with the edge of the racket. For a forehand swing, you will need to drop the shuttle into the path of the racket. Release the shuttlecock just before you swing the racket forward. The timing is important here: the racket should meet the shuttlecock below your waist.
Most badminton serves are about pushing the shuttlecock gently, rather than hitting it with force. For a forehand low serve, bend your wrist back and push gently.
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Use different techniques
Serving is arguably the most important aspect of badminton, as it is used to start every rally. There are three basic types of serve: the high serve, the low serve, and the flick serve. Each of these serves has a different technique and can be used strategically depending on whether you are playing singles or doubles.
The high serve is used to make the shuttle land at the back of the court. To perform a high serve, hold the shuttle a little lower than your chest with the shuttle cork facing downward, and grip the feathers with your thumb and index finger. Then, swing your racket in an arc down to your knees and bring it up and around your shoulder after hitting the shuttle. A good high serve will cause the shuttle to drop steeply downwards, making it difficult for your opponent to execute a strong attacking shot. This serve is commonly used in singles matches.
The low serve, also known as the short serve, is used to make the shuttle land near the net in front of your opponent. To perform a low serve, use a backhand grip and position your racket behind the shuttle, pointing downward. You can also bend your wrist back and push gently for a forehand low serve. The low serve is often used in doubles games as it prevents the opponent from making an offensive shot.
The flick serve is used unexpectedly to reduce the receiver's thinking time. The aim is to send the shuttle high and long, making it drop as close to the backline as possible. This serve is most commonly used in singles matches, sometimes known as a long serve.
Additionally, you can vary the direction of your serves. For example, aim the shuttle towards the side tramlines (alley) in the mid-court area to keep both players on the move and force an upward (defensive) shot from your opponent. You can also mix up your stance and body position to add variety to your serves. Try a square stance or a slightly staggered stance with the racket-side foot in front. Remember to distribute your body weight evenly between both feet and hold the shuttle at waist height for a balanced serve.
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Follow-through and timing
The follow-through and timing of your serve are critical to its success. A smooth and fluid follow-through will ensure you achieve the desired power and accuracy. A slight adjustment in the timing of your swing can also make a significant difference in the outcome of your serve.
For a forehand swing, bring the racket back to about your shoulder, then drop the shuttle and swing the racket forward. Time the drop and the swing so that the racket meets the shuttle below your waist. A gentle push is usually more effective than a hard hit, allowing you to better control the direction and placement of the shuttle.
For a high serve, swing your racket in an arc down to your knees and then bring it up and around your shoulder after hitting the shuttle. The shuttle should follow a high trajectory and land at the back of the court. This serve is particularly effective in singles matches, as it makes it difficult for your opponent to execute a strong attacking shot.
On the other hand, a short or low serve is ideal for doubles matches. To perform this serve, use a backhand grip and position the racket behind the birdie, pointing downward. Aim for the short service line in front of your opponent, making it challenging for them to launch an offensive shot.
Remember, the key to a successful serve is not just power but also precision and placement. Practicing your timing and follow-through will help you consistently place the shuttle where you want it to go, keeping your opponent guessing.
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