Andrew Pace
Returning a serve in badminton is a skill that requires practice and strategy. While a smash return can be an effective tactic, it is not always the best option. Different types of serves require different responses, and players must learn to control their response to each serve, rather than simply going with the flow. A flat drive serve, for example, can be difficult for beginners to return with a smash, and a soft return shot can give you a strategic advantage by surprising your opponent. On the other hand, if your opponent serves towards your body or the centre line, an aggressive net shot can cause them to rush forward, setting you up for a powerful smash later in the rally.
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What You'll Learn
- Foot placement: Both feet must be on the ground and inside the service court, not touching any lines
- Diagonal positioning: The receiver must stand diagonally opposite the server
- Striking the shuttle: Hit the cork, not the feather, and keep the strike below 1.15m
- Continuous motion: The serve must be a forward, continuous motion
- Doubles rules: In doubles, the receiver's partner must stand in their service court
Foot placement: Both feet must be on the ground and inside the service court, not touching any lines
When receiving a serve in badminton, you must adhere to specific foot placement rules. Both feet must remain in contact with the ground until the shuttle is struck by your opponent serving. This rule applies equally to both the server and receiver.
It is essential that neither foot touches any of the lines on the court. Your feet must be positioned inside the service court, and not on any of the lines. This is crucial for both the server and the receiver. If your feet are touching any lines or are outside the service court, it can result in a fault, and your opponent will be awarded a point.
The receiver's feet should be positioned diagonally opposite the server. This means that if the server is in the right service court, the receiver should be in the left service court, and vice versa. This diagonal positioning ensures that players are starting the rally from opposite sides of the court, creating a balanced and fair playing field for both players.
Additionally, in doubles matches, the receiver's partner must also stand within their respective service court. This ensures that both teams start the rally with players in their designated positions, maintaining the integrity of the game format.
By following these foot placement rules, you can ensure a fair and regulated start to each rally in a badminton match. These rules apply whether you are playing singles or doubles and help to establish a consistent and competitive environment for all players.
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Diagonal positioning: The receiver must stand diagonally opposite the server
Diagonal positioning is a key strategic element in badminton, and it begins with the serve. The receiver must stand diagonally opposite the server, ensuring their feet are positioned correctly in the service court. This diagonal stance is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it creates a dynamic and competitive starting point for the rally, as both players are already slightly off-centre from each other, requiring quick reactions and strategic shot selection from the outset.
The diagonal position also allows for a wider range of shot options for both the server and the receiver. The server, for instance, can choose to aim for the open spaces in the receiver's court or try to anticipate the receiver's movement to place the shuttlecock accurately. Likewise, the receiver can utilise their diagonal position to return the serve aggressively or to create opportunities for their partner in a doubles match.
Being positioned diagonally opposite the server is a fundamental rule in badminton. The receiver must adhere to this rule to avoid a fault. A fault occurs when the receiver's feet are not positioned diagonally opposite the server at the moment of the serve. Both players must also ensure that their feet are not touching any lines on the court during the serve. This rule is in place to maintain fairness and to define the active areas of the court for each player during the serve.
The receiver's diagonal position is a strategic advantage as it provides a wider view of the court. This enables the receiver to anticipate the server's shot selection and react accordingly. By standing diagonally, the receiver can quickly move towards the net or the baseline, depending on the serve's placement, and set themselves up for an offensive or defensive return.
In doubles matches, the receiver's diagonal position takes on an additional layer of strategy. The receiver's partner must stand in their respective service court, creating a diagonal formation with their teammate. This formation allows the receiving team to cover more court area and quickly communicate their intentions to each other, such as deciding who will attempt to return the serve. Overall, the diagonal positioning of the receiver in badminton is a critical rule that shapes the tactical and dynamic nature of the game, offering players a variety of strategic options and a fair starting point for each rally.
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Striking the shuttle: Hit the cork, not the feather, and keep the strike below 1.15m
When receiving a serve in badminton, there are a few key things to keep in mind regarding your return shot, often referred to as a 'strike' or 'hit'. Firstly, you should aim to strike the cork of the shuttlecock, or 'birdie', rather than the feathers. The feathers are less reliable to make contact with and will result in a less powerful shot. Hitting the cork allows for a harder and more downward-angled shot, which is ideal as it makes it more difficult for your opponent to return.
While it is important to focus on striking the cork, some players note that it is inevitable that you will also make contact with the feathers as the shuttlecock rotates. However, this should not be the primary focus of your technique. Striking the feathers first can also create a lot of spin, which may not be desirable.
Additionally, the strike must be kept below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court. This rule was implemented by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in 2018 to improve the standardisation of service laws in tournaments. It is enforced by a service judge who uses a specialised measuring device. This rule ensures that the server does not gain an unfair advantage by serving from too high a position, which could make the shot more challenging to return.
To ensure you are striking the shuttlecock at the correct height, it is recommended to make contact with the shuttlecock early in its descent, allowing you to hit it downwards before it drops to a height where you would need to worry about striking the feathers. This also helps prevent a 'floaty' shot, which can give your opponent an opportunity to attack.
In summary, when receiving a serve in badminton, focus on striking the cork of the shuttlecock early and in a downward direction to generate power and maintain control over the rally. Ensure your strike is below 1.15 metres from the court surface to comply with official rules.
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Continuous motion: The serve must be a forward, continuous motion
To understand the rules around smashing a serve in badminton, it's important to first understand the rules around serving and receiving in general. At the start of a rally, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts. The receiver must have both feet in contact with the ground and inside the service court until the shuttle is struck. The server must also have both feet inside the service court, and neither player can be touching any of the lines on the court.
The serve must be delivered in a forward, continuous motion. This means that the server must strike the shuttle in one smooth action, without pausing or adjusting their swing. The whole shuttle must be struck below 1.15m, and the cork, not the feather, must be hit.
A common fault in badminton is when the shuttle is higher than the server's waist at the moment of impact. This often occurs when the server attempts to put too much power into the shot. It's important to remember that a smooth, continuous serving motion is more important than raw power.
Another common fault is when the head of the racket is higher than the server's racket hand during the serve. This can occur when the server tries to compensate for a lack of power in their serving motion by reaching with their racket arm. It's important to focus on keeping the arm and racket in a smooth, natural motion, rather than trying to force the shuttle into the air.
While there are no specific rules mentioned regarding smashing a serve directly, the above guidelines for serving and receiving in badminton provide the framework for understanding the technique. The continuous motion rule ensures that serves are smooth and controlled, which can help set up the rally and make the game more enjoyable for both players.
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Doubles rules: In doubles, the receiver's partner must stand in their service court
In a doubles match, the only restriction on the position of the receiver's partner is that they must be on their team's side of the net. They can stand anywhere on the court or off it, as long as they remain on their side. The correct receiver must receive the serve, and the server must serve from the correct service court.
There is some debate about the receiver's partner's positioning during the serve. Some believe that if the serve touches the receiver's partner, the serving team wins the point. This strategy may be considered unsportsmanlike, as it involves taking advantage of an opponent's weakness or lack of awareness of the rules.
A more gentlemanly approach might be to gently serve to the partner's feet, blocking the receiver without causing a fault. Alternatively, one could focus on serving accurately and positioning oneself correctly, leaving any theatrics to the opposing team.
It is worth noting that the 2023 rules for non-officiated play state that the receiver cannot enforce service violations, so players should be aware of potential gamesmanship and use their judgment when playing without a referee.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot smash the serve when receiving in badminton. The shuttlecock must be hit below the waist for it to be a legal serve, and this rule prevents you from smashing the serve.
If the receiver touches the line before their opponent hits the shuttlecock, it is considered a fault.
The server and receiver must stand in diagonally opposite service courts without touching the boundary lines. The serve must be hit diagonally over the net and underarm, below the server's waist height.
A fault occurs when a player violates the rules of the game, resulting in the loss of a rally or point. Some common faults include serving or hitting the shuttlecock outside the court boundaries, and the shuttlecock touching any obstructions or the player's body or clothing.
No, bouncing the shuttlecock during the serve is not allowed.
