Amanda Knapp
Serving is an important aspect of badminton, and there are three basic types of serves: high serve, low serve, and flick serve. The low serve is a shot that is aimed at the short service line in front of the opponent, preventing them from making an offensive shot. It is more commonly used in doubles matches, as the court is shorter and wider, making the high serve less effective. To perform a low serve, the shuttle should be held at waist height with body weight placed on the dominant foot. The racket arm is then taken into the backswing position, and the body weight is shifted onto the non-dominant foot. The wrist and forearm are used to produce power and snap the wrist to lift the shuttle above the opponent. Additionally, footwork, anticipation, and pattern recognition are important factors in executing a successful low serve.
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What You'll Learn
- Serve technique: Serve within 15-20cm of the line to prevent difficult responses
- Opponent's rush: Flick the shuttlecock or use a high serve
- Footwork: Practice rear-court footwork, but know a poor serve will be punished regardless
- Opponent's stance: If they take the serve with an upright racket, it's too high
- Forehand vs backhand: Use the backhand grip and serve to the opponent's backhand side
Serve technique: Serve within 15-20cm of the line to prevent difficult responses
Serving is a crucial skill in badminton, and mastering the technique for a low serve within 15-20 cm of the line can be an effective strategy to gain an advantage over your opponent. Here are some tips to execute this serve effectively:
Firstly, position yourself appropriately on the court. In singles, the badminton court is 13.41m long and 5.18m wide. You can stand anywhere within your half, even in the tramlines, as long as you don't touch the court lines with your feet. Make sure you're not too close to the net; the serve must pass the short service line, which is 1.98m from the net.
Now, focus on the technique of the serve itself. The key is to strike the shuttlecock with accuracy and control. The base of the shuttlecock, known as the cork, must be struck first, not the feathers. This rule was implemented to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by creating excessive spin. Ensure that the shuttlecock is struck below 1.15m, as per the official rules. When hitting the shuttlecock, use a continuous forward motion, and keep both feet in contact with the ground until the impact.
The low serve is particularly effective because it limits your opponent's options for a strong return. When you serve low, there are technically only five possible responses: forehand and backhand net shots, forehand and backhand rearcourt shots, and shots towards your body. A well-executed low serve should eliminate body shots, making it harder for your opponent to intercept the shuttlecock effectively.
Additionally, a good low serve can prevent your opponent from taking the shuttlecock early. If your serves are consistently within 15-20 cm of the service line, your opponent will find it challenging to take the shot early, giving you a tactical advantage.
Finally, remember to practice your footwork and racquet carriage. While a good serve is essential, combining it with smooth footwork and proper racquet positioning will help you further improve your performance and gain an edge over your opponent.
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Opponent's rush: Flick the shuttlecock or use a high serve
Opponents rushing your low serves? Here are some strategies to counter that:
Flick the shuttlecock
Flicking is an effective way to confuse your opponent. It is similar to a low serve but with added power at the last second, sending the shuttlecock upward. To execute this, hold your racket as you would for a low serve, but instead of a gentle push, add extra power with your wrist at the end of your swing. This extra power will cause the shuttlecock to fly upwards instead of staying low near the net. Aim to flick the shuttlecock to the backline. If you cannot do this, your opponent will be able to move closer to the service line, making it easier for them to intercept your serves.
Use a high serve
A high serve is a more aggressive approach, sending the shuttlecock high up into the rear court. It is a good counter to an opponent who is rushing your low serves. To perform a high serve, bring your racket high over your shoulder, then drop it down toward your knees as you swing forward and bring it up to meet the shuttlecock. It can be difficult to time a high serve correctly, so make sure you wait a moment to allow the shuttlecock to drop into the path of your racket.
Other tips
- Vary your serves: Mix up your shots between low serves, high serves, flicks, and drives to keep your opponent guessing.
- Footwork and anticipation: Recognize patterns in your opponent's play to anticipate their moves and position yourself accordingly.
- Practice: Drills and footwork exercises will help you develop the proper technique and form.
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Footwork: Practice rear-court footwork, but know a poor serve will be punished regardless
Footwork is an important aspect of badminton that can help you improve your skills and win more games. When it comes to taking a low serve in badminton, rear-court footwork is particularly crucial. Here are some tips to consider:
Firstly, understand the different types of badminton footwork movements. There are four basic badminton footwork movements, and practicing each type specifically is essential. However, don't forget to introduce variations as soon as possible, allowing you to adapt your footwork choices based on the situation.
The rear-court footwork is especially important when playing a low serve. If you're late to the backcourt, you might lose the point. The shuttlecock dropping below the net level makes it challenging even for skilled players. Getting behind the shuttlecock gives you more stability and options.
To improve your rear-court footwork, consider the following:
- Always return to your base position in the center of the field after hitting the birdie. This enables you to react quickly to your opponent's strikes.
- Think about your movement strategy before the match. Consider your footwork in relation to your shot technique. For example, a powerful smash is useless if you can't return your opponent's shot.
- When moving forward, maintain good posture and hold your racket in the ready position.
- Watch the shuttle as it leaves your opponent's racket and push off with the foot furthest from your intended direction.
- Practice your footwork in the high forehand rear-court, which involves a full rotation of the body to encourage a throwing action and forward recovery.
While good footwork can help you neutralize a poor serve, it usually won't gain you an advantage over an opponent of similar skill. Focus on improving your serve technique and adapting to your opponent's strategies. A consistent serve within 15-20 cm of the service line can eliminate difficult responses from your opponent. Additionally, a good flick serve to the backline can prevent them from taking your serve early.
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Opponent's stance: If they take the serve with an upright racket, it's too high
Serving is an important part of badminton, and there are several types of serves, including the high serve and the low serve. The low serve is a good option to use when playing against opponents who are good at smashing. If you are playing singles and your opponent is standing at the service line, a low serve can be an effective strategy as it gives you more time to react and adjust to your opponent's moves.
However, if your opponent is taking your low serve with an upright racket, it means that your serve is too high. This gives your opponent an opportunity to attack, and if they are tall or have strong smashes, you will likely lose the point. A high serve can be advantageous in this situation as it gives you more time to get back into position and reduces your opponent's attack speed.
To counter an opponent who is taking your low serve with an upright racket, you can try serving from a different position or changing the direction of your serve. Serving towards the outside box when your opponent is standing near the midline can give you an immediate advantage. Additionally, improving your serve technique and varying your serves can make it more difficult for your opponent to predict and return your serves effectively.
Another strategy is to work on your footwork and racquet carriage. While good footwork may not save a poor serve, it can help you neutralise your opponent's advantage. Practising your rearcourt BH coverage can also improve your movement and positioning, making it harder for your opponent to take advantage of a high serve.
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Forehand vs backhand: Use the backhand grip and serve to the opponent's backhand side
Serving is a crucial part of badminton, and there are many techniques to master. One of the most effective serves is the low serve, which can be returned with either a forehand or backhand grip. When using the backhand grip, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of this style.
The backhand grip is often used for low serves in singles matches, especially in men's games. This is because the action is shorter and easier to execute. When using the backhand grip, the shuttlecock is hit with the knuckles, or the back of the hand, which limits the power that can be generated. This means that, when playing against an opponent with a strong smash, it is better to use a forehand grip for the serve as this allows for more power and can be used to your advantage.
However, the backhand grip has its benefits. When serving, a player will turn their back, restricting their view of their opponent and the court. This can be used to your advantage to surprise your opponent. Additionally, in the forecourt and midcourt, strokes can be played equally effectively with either grip.
When using the backhand grip, it is important to serve to your opponent's backhand side. This will give you an advantage as your opponent will have less power when returning the serve. If you serve to their forehand side, they will be able to return the shuttlecock with more power, which could result in you losing the point.
Using the backhand grip for a low serve is a useful skill to have in your arsenal, but it is important to practice all types of serves and be able to adapt to your opponent's playing style.
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