Kristian Ferrell
There are four main types of service in badminton, each requiring different skills and executed with either a forehand or backhand stroke. The two basic types are the high and low serves. The high serve is a powerful strike that travels a great distance upwards and falls deep at the rear end of the court. The low serve is a short shot that lands just over the opponent's service line, limiting their response options. To stay unpredictable, players should master all four types of service and incorporate at least two types into their play.
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Forehand and backhand strokes
The two main types of strokes in badminton are the forehand and backhand strokes. These strokes can be used to perform a variety of serves and shots, such as the clear shot, which is a common stroke used to hit the birdie high and deep, preferably to the end line. The forehand and backhand strokes can also be used to perform the low serve, which is a basic shot with a short trajectory that lands just over the opponent's service line. This shot can be effective in limiting the opponent's response and gaining an early advantage.
The forehand stroke is typically done more in singles than in doubles. It involves hitting the shuttle high and far to the back of the opponent's baseline and can be executed with an underhand throw-like motion. One of the advantages of the forehand stroke is that it moves the opponent to the back of the court, giving you time to set your stance and react. However, one disadvantage is that it gives the opponent the opportunity to attack with a smash, drop, or punch clear.
On the other hand, the backhand stroke is commonly used in both doubles and singles matches. It is typically hit close, just past the front service line. One advantage of the backhand stroke is that it often forces the opponent to take the shuttle below the tape or at least at a level position. However, one disadvantage is that it can be harder to execute than the forehand stroke.
The forehand and backhand strokes can also be classified as overhead and underarm strokes. The overhead forehand is the most common stroke and is usually the first stroke that beginners learn. It is a powerful stroke that is used to hit the shuttle high and deep. The overhead backhand, on the other hand, is often a player's main weakness. Underarm forehand and backhand strokes are low shots on the forehand and backhand sides, respectively.
By mastering the forehand and backhand strokes, players can execute a variety of serves and shots, keeping their opponents guessing and improving their chances of winning the game.
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Low serves
The low serve is a fundamental shot in badminton and is a good starting point for beginners. It involves a gentle tap of the shuttle over the net, aiming to land just over the opponent's service line. The low serve is executed with a backhand grip, with the thumb in line with the strings and the racket held out in front, tilted down at a 45-degree angle. The face of the racket should be almost parallel to the net but slightly rotated upwards. The shuttle is held with the non-racket hand, above the racket, pointing downwards towards the knees.
The low serve is a useful shot as it can limit your opponent's response, giving you an early advantage in the rally. It is effective in both singles and doubles matches, but it is the most common serve used in doubles. This is because the shorter service area in doubles makes it harder to take advantage of a high serve. In singles, a low serve can prevent your opponent from responding to a high serve with a powerful smash.
The low serve is a flexible shot, as it can be used with either a forehand or backhand grip, although the backhand is more common. It is a good way to maintain an offensive position in a rally, as it forces your opponent to lift the shuttle, giving you more options for your second shot.
While the low serve is a useful shot to master, it should be combined with other serves to keep your opponent guessing. Once you have mastered the low serve, you can add high serves, flick serves, and drive serves to your game to increase your unpredictability and win more points.
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High serves
The high serve is a powerful shot that aims to travel a great distance and fall deep into the rear end of the opponent's service court. It is a popular choice for beginners as it is easier to execute than the backhand serve. However, at higher levels, it can be a riskier shot, especially against opponents with a strong offence. It is best to use this serve when you are confident in creating a steep downward trajectory.
To perform a high serve, you must hit the shuttle upwards with a forehand grip. The shuttle should be dropped a bit sideways rather than in front of your body and hit flatter. It is important to note that the high serve is harder to disguise than other serves due to the use of a forehand grip.
When serving, ensure that both your feet are in contact with the ground, and the shuttle is struck below 1.15 meters (around waist level). The stroke should be consistent up to the point of contact with the shuttle, making it unpredictable for your opponent.
The high serve is an attacking move used by top players like Lin Dan. It is an excellent way to catch your opponent off guard and limit their return options. However, it is also risky, as a prepared opponent could smash the shuttlecock back at you.
The high serve is just one of the four main types of serves in badminton. It is crucial to master multiple serves to keep your opponent guessing and ensure victory.
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Flick serves
The flick serve is an advanced level of serving that can be used to catch your opponent off-guard. It is a fast-paced shot that forces your opponent to move backward and opens up the front court for a potential attack. The setup is similar to the low serve, but the flick serve's faster speed, longer trajectory, and deceptive nature can help you surprise your opponent.
To perform a flick serve, you must disguise your shot, making your opponent think you are going for a low serve until the last minute. This deception is key to the success of the flick serve. It is important to master the low serve first, as this will help you perfect the element of surprise. When performing a flick serve, you can use either a forehand or backhand serve, although the backhand serve is more common.
In terms of grip, use the basic badminton grip, also known as the handshake grip. Hold the racket in front of you with your non-playing hand. For example, if you are right-handed, hold the racket with your left hand, with the racket strings facing sideways. You want a relaxed, loose grip, with your thumb and forefinger creating a V-shape around the bottom of the handle.
When holding the shuttlecock, grip it by the feathers, cradling it with your fingers so you don't hold it too tightly. Hold the shuttlecock with your thumb and index finger, around halfway down the feather. You can also use your middle finger for additional support. Be sure to hold the shuttlecock with the cork facing you, as holding it with the cork facing the floor or sideways can lead to errors.
To execute the flick serve, take a controlled backswing, bending your elbow to no more than 90 degrees while keeping your shoulder still. Then, squeeze your fingers and thumb to generate power and hit the shuttlecock with more force than a low serve, sending it over your opponent toward the back of the service box.
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Drive serves
The drive serve is an attacking serve used by top badminton players. It is a fast and flat offensive serve that is meant to travel to the mid-to-far end of the service-receiving area. The setup of a drive serve is similar to a low serve or flick serve, but the shuttle should be hit with a powerful flick over the opponent and toward their back service line. The angle of the racket differentiates the flick serve from the drive serve. The drive serve is meant to be a surprise shot, catching the opponent off guard. It is a risky shot, but if executed well, it can be rewarding.
The drive serve is a long serve primarily used in doubles. The trajectory is meant to be fast and flat, similar to a drive shot in other sports. The official rules of badminton state that the shuttle must be struck from below 1.15 meters off the ground, so the drive serve won't be exactly like a drive in other sports. The goal is to keep the shuttle's trajectory as flat as possible while staying within the service rules.
To execute a drive serve, use the same setup as for a flick serve. Aim for a very short backswing, and keep your grip relaxed until you swing. As you swing forward, your body should rotate in one fluid motion. Your back heel should also come off the ground slightly as you shift your balance from back to front. The power for the drive serve comes from the wrist, transmitting power into the shuttle.
The drive serve is most effective in doubles due to the positioning of the receiver and the shorter service boundary at the far end of the court. In singles, the target area for short serves is more forgiving because the receiver starts further away from the short service line. However, in doubles, the service area is shorter, making it challenging to maximize the benefits of a high serve. Thus, the drive serve is an excellent option in doubles to catch the opponent off guard.
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Frequently asked questions
The two main types of service in badminton are the forehand and backhand.
A forehand serve is typically done more in singles than doubles. It involves hitting the shuttle high and far to the opponent's baseline. It is easier to execute than a backhand serve but may expose the shuttle to an attack.
A backhand serve is done in both singles and doubles. It is usually hit close, just past the front service line. It is harder to execute than a forehand serve but can force the opponent to take the shuttle below the tape.
Variations of the forehand and backhand serves include the low serve, high serve, flick serve, and drive serve. The low serve is a basic shot that travels low over the net and lands near the opponent's service line. The high serve is a powerful strike that travels high and deep into the opponent's back court. The flick serve is a fast-paced shot that forces opponents to scramble backward. The drive serve is a long serve primarily used in doubles, with a fast and flat trajectory.
Using different types of serves can help to keep your opponent guessing and prevent them from predicting your shots. It can also allow you to mix up your play and stay unpredictable, increasing your chances of winning.
