Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a fast-paced racket sport that requires a good understanding of the rules, especially when it comes to serving. Serving correctly is crucial, as it starts each rally and sets the tone for the game. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) outlines the official rules, which include the requirement that a player's feet must be in contact with the court surface while serving, and the shuttlecock must be struck below the waist. The server is chosen through a coin toss, and the first serve is always from the right side of the court. The server's position then depends on their score: if they have an even number of points, they serve from the right, and if they have an odd number, they serve from the left. In doubles, players on the same team rotate positions after winning a point if they were serving, but not if they were receiving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to determine the first server | By a coin toss |
| Who serves after the first point | The player/side that scores the first point |
| Serving side after an even number of points | Right side of the service court |
| Serving side after an odd number of points | Left side of the service court |
| Sides change in a three-game match | After the first player/team reaches 11 points |
| Sides change in a single game | After each game |
| Service rules | Shuttlecock must be hit over the net to the opponent's side without touching the net or going out of bounds |
| Service rules | The shuttlecock should be below the waist of the server at the instant it is hit |
| Service rules | The first forward movement of the server's racket should initiate the service |
| Service rules | The server should not delay the service once both the server and receiver are ready |
| Service rules | A serve that touches the net but still goes over and lands in-bounds is legal |
| Service rules | A shuttlecock landing on the boundary line is considered in |
| Types of serves | Forehand low serve, forehand high serve |
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What You'll Learn
The player who wins a point serves the next one
In doubles, if the team that won the rally was serving in the previous rally, the players on that team will rotate positions, and the player who served will continue to serve. If the team that won the rally was not serving in the previous rally, they do not rotate positions. In the third game, players or teams will change ends once the first player or team reaches 11 points. The player who serves after the change of ends is the player who would have served if there was no change of ends. The player who won the previous rally serves the next point.
There are several types of serves in badminton, such as the forehand low serve, which is the most common, and the high serve, which is more difficult to time. It is important to know how to use different techniques to keep your opponent guessing. For example, you might use a high serve so that the shuttlecock lands at the back of the court, followed by a low hit that lands near the net.
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Serve from the right on even points, and left on odd points
The rules of badminton specify that the player who serves first in a game does so from the right side of the service court. This initial serve always takes place when the score is even, at "zero, zero, start". From this point onwards, the player who is serving will continue to serve from the right side of the court each time their score is even, and from the left side of the court when their score is odd.
For example, if the first server wins the first point, they will move to the left court and the score will become "one, zero, start". If the other team then wins a point, the players do not move, but the ball is passed to the other team's server, who is now in the right court, and the score becomes ""one, one, I'm one".
It is important to note that the terminology of "even" and "odd" only applies to the starting server and receiver. Whichever court a player starts the game in is their "even court", regardless of whether it is on the left or right.
In doubles, the player who starts on the right will always serve when their score is even, and on the left when their score is odd. The player who served the point will then switch sides if they win the point.
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A serve that lands on the line is considered in
The service or serve is a crucial part of a badminton player’s drill. It is the starting point of any badminton match, and the service of the shuttlecock is considered an art in itself. A correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent’s side, ensuring that the shuttlecock does not get stuck in the net or exceed the boundaries of the badminton court. The entire shuttlecock should be below the waist of the server when hit by the racket. The waist is considered an imaginary line coinciding with the server's lowest rib.
The rules of badminton specify that a serve that lands on the line is considered in. If the shuttlecock hits the net but continues over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally, and the receiving side loses the point. The shuttlecock should not land out of bounds, which is defined by the boundary lines of the service courts. The service must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court and over their front service line, which is the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net.
In singles, the court boundaries are thinner, with the wide, outside tramlines out of bounds. In doubles, the court is full width, and these tramlines are considered 'in'. During service in doubles, the court is short, and the rear tramlines at the back of the court are out of bounds until the serve is returned. Once the service is returned, the whole court becomes playable.
The player who serves first in any game is determined by a coin toss, and they serve from the right side of the service court. The server's score determines which side of the court they serve from for the subsequent point. If the server has scored an even number of points, they serve from the right side; if they have scored an odd number of points, they serve from the left side.
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The shuttlecock must be below the waist of the server
To understand when to change serve in badminton, it is important to first understand the rules of serving in badminton. According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), a correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent's side without the shuttle getting stuck in the net or going out of the boundaries of the badminton court, all while maintaining some part of their feet in contact with the court surface.
The focus of this response is on the rule that the shuttlecock must be below the waist of the server. This rule states that at the instant the shuttlecock is hit by the server's racket, the entire shuttlecock should be below the server's waistline. The waist is considered an imaginary line coinciding with the server's lowest rib. This means that the shuttlecock can be held at any height before the serve, but once the racket makes contact, the whole shuttlecock must be below the waist.
This rule is important to ensure a fair and consistent service in badminton. It sets a standard for the height at which the shuttlecock is struck, preventing players from gaining an unfair advantage by serving from a higher position. This rule also encourages players to focus on technique and strategy rather than simply relying on height to gain an advantage.
It is worth noting that this rule does not restrict the type of serve that can be performed. For example, a high serve can still be executed by placing the racket above the waist and then bringing it down in a smooth, 'U-shaped' swing to strike the shuttlecock below the waist. As long as the entire shuttlecock is below the waist when struck, the serve is considered legal.
In summary, the rule that the shuttlecock must be below the waist of the server is crucial in badminton. It ensures fairness and consistency in the service while also allowing players to be creative with their serving techniques. By adhering to this rule, players can focus on developing their skills and strategies to improve their overall gameplay.
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A low serve is the most common type
The low serve is a deceptive weapon in badminton that can kill a rally before it has even begun. It is a popular serve in intermediate games, with the backhand low serve being the most common variation. Out of nearly 900 serves observed in 25 social intermediate doubles games, the backhand low serve dominated with a usage rate of 76%, while the forehand low serve accounted for just 1.7%.
The backhand low serve is preferred because it proves effective in earning a lift or catching opponents off guard. It also allows for quicker movement towards the net if your opponent returns a net shot. The forehand low serve, on the other hand, can be disguised as a classic forehand high serve. However, it is less commonly used because it does not offer the same level of control and clever placement as the backhand version.
To improve your low serve, you should practice serving as close to the cord as possible without hitting the net. You also want to practice the distance in your opponent's service box. Try to get it far enough so that it lands at the front of their service box but dives under the net cord before reaching it. Another way to practice is to get a ton of shuttles and start serving to different areas without an opponent on the other side. The key is to get as much repetition that each stage of the serve becomes muscle memory. You can make this even better by filming yourself so you can see where you can improve.
In a badminton match, the service forms a crucial part of a player's drill. Most leading professionals prefer a short backhand serve or a high-toss serve to initiate proceedings. A good serve in badminton can help gain an edge and put pressure on your opponents.
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Frequently asked questions
The first server in a badminton match is determined by a coin toss.
The player or side that scores a point becomes the server for the next point.
If the server has won an even number of points, they serve from the right side of the court. If they have won an odd number of points, they serve from the left side.
A correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent’s side without it getting stuck in the net or going out of bounds. The shuttlecock should be hit below the waist, and some part of the player's feet should be in contact with the court surface.
