Amanda Knapp
The backhand low serve is a type of serve in badminton that is used to start a rally. It is an effective way to start the game as it prevents the opponent from playing an attacking shot and forces them to hit upward. The serve involves a flick-like backhand motion that sends the shuttle on a short, flat trajectory. It is a delicate shot that requires a good grip and technique to execute well. The server must stand inside the service court and use a backhand grip with the thumb behind the handle and the hand positioned halfway. The shuttle should be held with the thumb and index finger, and the other three fingers should be extended away. The backswing and follow-through should be short, and the shuttle should be pushed gently over the net so that it falls right behind the diagonally opposite service line.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To start the game and prevent the opponent from playing an attacking shot. |
| Grip | Backhand grip with the thumb behind the handle. |
| Hand Position | Halfway down the racket. |
| Feet Position | Both feet grounded with weight on the front foot. |
| Shuttlecock Hold | Thumb and index finger holding the skirt of the shuttlecock. Other three fingers extended away. |
| Angle of Shuttlecock | Slightly tipped forward. |
| Backswing and Follow-Through | Short. |
| Target | Tape over the top of the net. |
| Height of Shuttlecock | Below the waist at the time of contact. |
| Recovery | Get into the ready position and be prepared for the return. |
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What You'll Learn
How to grip the racket
The backhand grip is an important part of executing a good backhand low serve in badminton. The grip allows for a shorter swing with more precision, making it easier to control the serve.
To begin, hold the racket slightly higher up on the grip. This will give you a shorter lever and, consequently, more control over the serve. The thumb should be on top of the wider section of the grip, with the strings facing the floor and the ceiling. The thumb is the main driver for pushing the racket for all backhand shots, so it is important to place it correctly. The other fingers should be relaxed and loosely wrapped around the side of the grip. This is important because a tight grip will make it harder to change between grips mid-rally and will limit your ability to generate control and power in your shots.
When holding the racket, ensure that there is some space between the racket and your body to allow for a small backswing. The angle of the racket should be at around 45 degrees. The amount of space between your body and the racket, as well as the angle of the racket, can vary depending on personal preference and comfort.
The bevel grip is a variation of the backhand grip that is used for applying defensive and deceptive shots. To execute this grip, start with a backhand grip and move the racket head so that the strings are facing diagonally, and your thumb is on the ridge or bevel. The panhandle grip is another variation where the thumb is on the side of the racket, pinching the sides. This grip is useful for late backhand rear-court shots, retrieving a net cord, and some net kills or drives.
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How to hold the shuttlecock
To perform a backhand low serve in badminton, you must first know how to hold the shuttlecock. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do so:
Step 1: The Preparation
Use a backhand grip with your thumb behind the handle and your hand positioned halfway on the racket's grip. This will give you more control over the serve. Stand in front and centre of the service box with your weight on the front foot, or with both feet parallel.
Step 2: Holding the Shuttlecock
Hold the shuttlecock with your thumb and index finger, with the other three fingers extended away. The shuttlecock should be held by the skirt, about halfway down the feather. This will ensure a good grip while also allowing your fingers to move out of the way when you strike the shuttle.
Step 3: Angle of the Shuttlecock
The angle at which you hold the shuttlecock is crucial. Avoid holding it with the cork facing downwards, as this may cause you to hit your thumb or send the shuttlecock too high. Holding it with the cork facing upwards will result in a flat flick serve. For the best control, hold the shuttlecock sideways.
Step 4: Body Position
Your body position can vary according to your preference. The most common way is to stand with your racket leg in front or with your feet side by side. Ensure you are close to the service line, as this gives your opponent less time to react and allows you to quickly move forward to cover the net.
Step 5: Hitting the Shuttlecock
Start with the shuttlecock touching or very close to touching your strings. Hit the shuttlecock out of your hand, using a short backswing and follow-through. Squeeze your grip with your fingers and thumb to generate power, and aim to hit the shuttlecock with the top edge of your strings. This will give you more control and help you avoid hitting your hand.
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Foot placement
The backhand low serve is an effective way to start a badminton game as it prevents your opponent from attacking and forces them to hit upward. To perform this serve, you must begin by standing inside the service court, ensuring you don't touch any lines, which would result in an invalid serve. The specific foot placement depends on whether you're playing singles or doubles.
Doubles Foot Placement:
In doubles, you should stand as close to the front service line as possible. This positioning allows you to be aggressive and puts you in a good position to defend your court effectively. When serving, place your non-dominant foot forward, which will provide stability and balance for the shot. You can also stand with both feet parallel, ensuring your weight is on your front foot. This weight distribution on the front foot is crucial for generating power and stability during the serve.
Singles Foot Placement:
In singles, you may want to start a few steps back from the service line. This extra distance gives you more time to recover and defend your court, regardless of how quickly your opponent returns the serve. The extra distance also provides you with more reaction time to anticipate your opponent's return. Similar to doubles, you can use the weight transfer technique by placing your weight on your front foot during the serve.
Personal Preference:
While the aforementioned foot placements are strategic guidelines, you can also adjust your foot placement based on personal preference and comfort. Some players prefer to have their racket leg in front, while others opt for a side-by-side stance. Experimenting with different foot placements will help you discover what works best for your playing style and comfort level.
In conclusion, foot placement plays a significant role in the backhand low serve. By understanding the strategic positioning for singles and doubles and making adjustments based on your personal preference, you can master the footwork for this crucial shot in badminton.
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Backswing and follow-through
The backswing and follow-through are integral parts of a backhand low serve in badminton. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you master this technique:
Backswing:
- Start by holding the racket with a backhand grip, which provides more control over the serve. Place your thumb on the flat side of the handle, allowing you to control the angle and power.
- Position your non-dominant foot forward and hold the racket level with your shoulder.
- Hold the shuttlecock with your thumb and index finger, about halfway down the feather. This ensures a good grip while also keeping your fingers out of the way during the swing.
- Angle the shuttlecock slightly forward. Holding it with the cork facing downwards increases the likelihood of hitting your thumb or sending the shuttlecock too high. Conversely, if the cork faces you, the shuttlecock might hit the net.
- Ensure there is some space between your racket and body to allow for a small backswing. The amount of space can vary according to your preference and comfort.
Follow-through:
- The follow-through should be short. Use a short swing to maintain control and deception in your shot.
- Generate power by using your fingers and thumb to squeeze the grip firmly, rather than solely relying on wrist movement.
- Aim to hit the shuttlecock flat across the net, keeping it low and short. This makes it challenging for your opponent to execute an attacking return.
- Ensure that the shuttlecock is below your waist at the time of contact, and both feet are grounded; otherwise, it will be a fault.
- After the serve, quickly get into the ready position to prepare for your opponent's return.
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Recovery
The recovery phase is the third step in executing a backhand low serve in badminton, following preparation and the shot itself. After serving, you must immediately get into the ready position and be prepared for the return. A good low backhand serve will make it difficult for your opponent to hit an attacking return, but you must still be ready to defend your court.
To recover effectively, it is important to practice your serve until you can consistently keep it low and short. This will make it harder for your opponent to attack and give you more time to recover and get into position. The low backhand serve is a delicate shot that requires practice to master the distance, angles, power, and technique. Scheduling regular practice time and trying a variety of drills can help you improve your technique and recovery.
Positioning yourself well on the court is also crucial for recovery. In doubles, you can stand close to the front service line to execute your serve. In singles, starting a few steps back will give you more time to recover and defend your court. Experimenting with different techniques and finding what works best for you is also important.
The angle at which you hold the shuttlecock is another important factor in recovery. Holding it with the cork facing down increases the risk of hitting your thumb or serving too high, giving your opponent an advantage. Holding it with the cork facing up can result in a net shot or a flat flick serve. Holding it sideways will cause you to hit the feathers and lose control.
Finally, your stance during the serve can impact your recovery. The most common stance is to have your racket leg in front or your feet side by side. However, you should experiment and find a comfortable position that allows you to move quickly after serving.
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Frequently asked questions
A backhand low serve is a type of serve in badminton where the shuttle is hit with a backhand grip and motion, sending it on a short, flat trajectory. It is a delicate shot that is difficult to master but can be used to set the pace of rallies and gain an advantage over your opponent.
To perform a backhand low serve, start by standing in the correct position inside the service court, with your non-dominant foot forward. Use a backhand grip, holding the racket slightly higher up with your thumb resting on the flat side of the handle. Hold the shuttle with your thumb and index finger, and position it just above your racket, angled slightly forward. Keep your movement mostly forward, with a short swing, and push the shuttle gently over the net so that it falls right behind the diagonally opposite service line.
The backhand low serve is effective because it prevents your opponent from playing an attacking shot and forces them to hit upward. It is also easier to control than a forehand serve since the technique allows for a shorter swing with more precision.
The backhand low serve is commonly used in doubles matches, but it can also be used in singles matches. It is a good serve to use when you want to control the pace of the rally and keep your opponent off guard.
