Kristian Ferrell
Serving is an important aspect of badminton, as it starts each rally and can set the tone for the game. A legal serve in badminton must be executed in an underhand manner, with the racket head starting below the server's waist. This means that the racket head must be below the handle when hitting the shuttlecock. Additionally, the serve must land within the opponent's diagonal service court, which is essential for fairness and adhering to the game's regulations. The server must also ensure that they do not take too long between serves, as this can frustrate opponents and may be considered a fault by the judge. These rules are outlined in the official regulations published by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and are crucial for a competitive and enjoyable gameplay experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Racket position | Under waist level, with the racket head below the handle |
| Shuttlecock trajectory | Diagonally across the net into the opposing service area |
| Foot position | Both feet must be in contact with the ground and cannot be touching any court lines |
| Service area | Inside the service court, in the right-hand court for even scores and left-hand court for odd scores |
| Grip | Hold the shuttle by the feathers with the thumb and index finger, with the shuttle cork facing downward |
| Swing | Time the drop and swing so that the racket meets the shuttle below the waist |
| Service type | Typically a high and long serve, sometimes referred to as an underhand serve |
| Service rules | The serve must be one continuous motion without pausing |
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What You'll Learn
- Forehand serve: a high and long serve, typically learned at a junior level
- High serve: used in singles, the shuttle is dropped from above the server's waist
- Low serve: used in singles and doubles, the shuttle is struck below the waist
- Flick serve: used in doubles, a last-minute flick of the wrist takes the shuttle over the opponent
- Drive serve: a hard, low, and flat shot, leaving the opponent little time to react
Forehand serve: a high and long serve, typically learned at a junior level
The forehand serve is a basic badminton technique that is typically one of the first styles learned by junior players. This is because it requires less focus on technique and allows players to strike with as much power as they want.
To execute a forehand serve, the player stands in a forward stride position behind the baseline, with their left shoulder pointing towards the target and their weight on their back foot. The shuttle is held in the non-dominant hand, with the thumb and index finger gripping the feathers, and the shuttle cork facing downward. The dominant hand holds the racket, which is swung like a golf club, striking the shuttle from below and sending it on a high trajectory over the opponent. The serve should be timed so that the racket meets the shuttle below the waist.
The high forehand serve typically results in three types of returns: a clear shot, a smash or jumping smash, and a drop shot. These returns are rarely close to the net and allow the server time to move back and position themselves in the middle of the court to return shots.
While the forehand serve is less popular at higher levels of play, as players seek to gain immediate attacking initiative, it is still widely used at the highest levels of women's singles. It can be an effective way to start the rally away from the net and push the opponent to the rear court, providing more time to plan a follow-up strike.
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High serve: used in singles, the shuttle is dropped from above the server's waist
Badminton is a sport that requires a lot of technique and precision. Serving, in particular, is a critical aspect of the game, and players must master different types of serves to stay ahead of their opponents. One such serve is the high serve, typically used in singles matches.
To execute a high serve, the server must first stand inside the service court, ensuring that they are not touching any of the lines. The server then holds the shuttle with their non-dominant hand, gripping it by the feathers with the thumb and index finger, and ensuring the shuttle cork is facing downward. The non-dominant foot is placed forward, and the racket is held level with the shoulder.
The server then drops the shuttle from above their waist, allowing it to fall a few inches before making contact with the racket. This timing is crucial, and the server must ensure that the shuttle is struck just below the waist. A high serve will cause the shuttle to land at the back of the court, and it can be followed by a low hit to catch the opponent off guard.
It is important to note that while a high serve provides good placement, it may lack the element of surprise. Additionally, a longer drop is generally not recommended as it can slow down the pace of the shot, giving the opponent an opportunity to attack. However, with practice and precision, the high serve can be an effective tool in a player's arsenal, allowing them to strategically set up their next move.
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Low serve: used in singles and doubles, the shuttle is struck below the waist
To execute a low serve in badminton, which can be used in both singles and doubles matches, the shuttle is struck below the waist. This technique is an effective way to keep your opponent guessing and improve your overall game.
When performing a low serve, the player must stand inside the service court, ensuring that no part of their body touches the lines, as this would result in an invalid serve. The non-dominant foot is placed forward, while the racket is held level with the shoulder. The shuttle is then dropped from the free hand, and the swing is timed so that the racket makes contact with the shuttle just below the waist. This contact point is crucial, as per the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rules, which specify that the "whole shuttle shall be below the server's waist at the instant of being hit".
To achieve a successful low serve, players can bend their wrist back and apply gentle force when striking the shuttle. This technique ensures that the shuttle travels in a sharp, downward trajectory, making it challenging for the opponent to attack. It is important to note that the base of the shuttle, or the cork, must be struck first, as per BWF regulations, to prevent excessive spin and unfair advantages.
While the low serve can be advantageous, it is essential to vary your serves to keep your opponent guessing. Combining high and low serves can be an effective strategy. For instance, you could start with a high serve that lands at the back of the court, followed by a low serve that lands near the net. This variation in height and placement will make it difficult for your opponent to predict your next move.
Additionally, it is worth noting that while there is currently no official time limit for serves, players have been penalised for taking too long. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain a steady pace when serving to avoid faults and keep the game flowing smoothly.
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Flick serve: used in doubles, a last-minute flick of the wrist takes the shuttle over the opponent
The flick serve is a more advanced badminton technique that is particularly useful in doubles matches. It is used to surprise the opponent and set up a stronger attack in the following strikes.
To perform a flick serve, you must first master the low serve. This is because the flick serve is most effective when the opponent thinks you are going for a low serve until the last minute. To master the low serve, stand as close to the service line as possible without touching it, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your non-dominant foot in front. When you hit the shuttle, make sure it just barely clears the net and lands close to the court's service line. This makes it difficult for your opponent to hit an attacking return.
When you are ready to perform the flick serve, use the handshake grip on the racket. Hold the racket in front of you with your non-playing hand, with the strings facing sideways. Make sure your grip is relaxed and loose, with your thumb and forefinger creating a V-shape around the handle. Cradle the shuttle with your fingers, gripping it by the feathers but not too tightly.
The flick serve is best used when your opponent is rushing you and you are under pressure. It is important to maintain the element of surprise, so only use the flick serve occasionally. If your opponents start to notice your frequent use of the flick serve, they may adjust their position and play an attacking shot, taking away your serving advantage.
In doubles, the flick serve can be used to set up your partner for an immediate attacking position. For example, if your opponent returns the flick serve with a weak clear, you or your partner can attack back with a strong smash.
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Drive serve: a hard, low, and flat shot, leaving the opponent little time to react
The drive serve is a powerful shot in badminton that can be used to great effect in a variety of situations. It is a flat shot, hit hard and low, with the racket head facing straight ahead. The aim is to get the shuttle behind your opponent, forcing them into a weak return. This shot is particularly useful when the shuttle is heading towards you in the back court and your opponent is expecting a clear shot.
To execute a successful drive serve, the player must hit the shuttle downwards, towards the opponent's forecourt, just over the net. The closer the shuttle drops to the net, the more difficult it is for the opponent to return. However, this also increases the risk of the shuttle not clearing the net, potentially costing you the rally. Therefore, precision is crucial when executing this shot.
The drive serve is an excellent technique to keep your opponent on their toes. By disguising your shots and making them unpredictable, you can make it challenging for your opponent to react in time. This can be achieved by making your offensive shots resemble a drive or drop shot until the last moment.
The key to a powerful drive serve is in the wrist action. For a low drive serve, the player should bend their wrist back and push gently as they strike the shuttle. This shot is more about precision and placement than pure power, so a gentle push is often more effective than a full-force swing.
The drive serve is a valuable tool in any badminton player's arsenal. It can be used both offensively and defensively, and its flat and fast nature can catch opponents off-guard, leading to an advantageous position during the rally.
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Frequently asked questions
Serving in badminton refers to the action of hitting the shuttlecock with your racket to start a rally.
There are several rules for serving in badminton:
- You must stand inside the service court without touching any boundary lines.
- Both feet must be in contact with the ground and cannot be dragged along the floor.
- The serve must be made in a forward continuous motion.
- The shuttlecock must be struck at a height below the server's waist.
- The serve must be made within a reasonable time to avoid delaying the game.
An underhand serve in badminton is a type of serve where the racket head is below the handle at the moment of hitting the shuttlecock. This means that the server's arm must be below their waist, with the racket head starting below the waist, and the shuttlecock is hit in an upward motion.
To perform an underhand serve in badminton, follow these steps:
- Stand in the correct service court (right for even scores, left for odd scores) without touching any lines.
- Place your non-dominant foot forward and hold your racket level with your shoulder.
- Drop the shuttlecock from your free hand and time your swing.
- Hit the shuttlecock with an underhand motion, ensuring it travels diagonally across the net into the opponent's service court.
