If you’re a badminton player then you might be well aware of the shots that are hit during a match. But to start a match, the player has to make a serve, which means to bring the shuttle into play. Badminton is played basically in three forms singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Out of these two forms have different rules and regulations for making a serve. So to explain this difference we are here, with this post where we will discuss the topic of how do we serve in badminton.
So here, in this article, we’ll explain to you the kind of serves and how they are performed by a player.
Table of Contents
What is a Serve in Badminton?
A serve is made at the beginning of the game, while the match starts and after a rally. The team who won the toss before starting the match gets the opportunity to choose the side or to serve. Also, if a player after winning a rally, serve first. The server should be within the boundaries and should not touch the lines while serving.
A few things you need to keep in mind while making a serve are:
- The players must be standing apart from each other while making a serve.
- Shuttlecock should be hit fro below the waist level of the server.
- The head of the racket should be under the hand, holding the shuttlecock.
- No, boundaries should be touched while making a serve.
- If the server is holding even scores like 2,4,6, then he will serve from the right side of the court.
- And if the server is holding odd scores like 1,3,5, then he will serve from the left side of the court.
Types of Badminton Serves
There are basically four types of serves:
- High Serve
- Low Serve
- Flick Serve
- Drive Serve
High Serve
This type of service is basically made in badminton singles, as it forces your opponent to go back on the court, and due to this, it takes him some time to cover up his court, which is also an advantage for you.
High serve is also called long service, which often travels to the backcourt of the opponent.
But in doubles, you need to be more conscious while placing this service, because if your opponents might be good attackers, then you may face some problems.
This kind of service is made usually in women singles when the player does not have any adequate shots left to hit in return or is unable to hit the normal serve. You should not perform it in the case of tall and strong players, because they can easily return your shot.
How to perform a High Serve?
- Use a forehand grip and underarm action.
- Adequate height and distance are required to transfer a significant amount of energy while serving.
- Keep calm and slightly bend your knees.
- Stand behind the short service line.
- Bring the weight from the back foot to the front foot while the body rotation generates more power.
- Swing your racket.
- Drop the shuttle on the racket’s stringbed.
- Then hit the shuttle with the flat face of your racket.
Benefits of High Serve
- It helps in sending the opponents to the backcourt.
- A lot of energy is executed by the opponent to come back to its original place.
- Provide you a chance to hit a powerful smash.
- Also, helps you to strike the shuttlecock with the help of a forehand.
Low Serve
This service is also called a short service. In this, the shuttlecock moves from the top of the net and lands near the short service line in the opponent’s court. Generally, it does not give the opponent much time to hit back the shuttle and limits the type of his hits while returning the shuttle.
Low Serve forces the opponent to uplift the shot and then you have the advantage to hit a powerful smash. These serves are mainly made in the badminton doubles because in doubles the service area is shorter in comparison to singles.
You can perform it well in the case of tall and aggressive players because it will take time to come across the net and it is hard for taller players to bend their knees while playing such shots.
How to perform a Low Service?
- You have to stand 2-3 feet behind the service line if using a forehand grip.
- Slightly bend your knees.
- Place your playing leg ahead and your resting leg behind.
- Pull back your racket and swing it adequately.
- A shorter grip will provide you more control.
- Don’t break the service rule while serving.
Benefits of Low Serve
- Restrict the range and keep the limited shots for the opponents.
- Does not allows the opponent to attack back frequently.
- Enables you to hit a smash.
- The opponent does not have any other option than uplifting the shuttle, Which helps you in hitting push and drive shots.
Flick Serve
This type of serve in badminton is performed to overcome the pressure of the frequent opponent. It can be useful in singles but is effective while playing doubles.
Both forehand and backhand grip can be used while performing a flick serve. Here you pretend to play a low save but you flick over the shuttle with the help of the wrist. It is also one of the trick shots, which is mainly performed by professional and advanced players, who are well known for badminton techniques. Beginners and intermediate take a lot of time to perfect these skills.
In singles, if your opponent is too slow and tired, then you can hit the shuttle out of his reach. He will take some time to come back to his position in the court, or else drop the shuttle.
How to Perform a Flick Serve?
- Stand 2-3 feet away from the net.
- Now gently hold the shuttlecock and place the racket under the hand holding shuttle.
- Pretend like if you’re going to play a low serve, to confuse your opponent.
- Move your master leg forward and non-racket leg backward.
- Now move or swing your racket accordingly.
- And hit the high serve or drive.
Benefits of Flick Serve
- Confuses your opponent, before you serve.
- Dismantle the balance of your opponents.
- Is similar to the short serve.
- The opponent will play an adequate shot in return, which can be beneficial for you.
Drive serve
This type of serve in badminton is also known as flat serve. It is one of the fast service, which travels from mid to back service receiving area.
It looks some wards similar to the low and flick serve, but the power is transferred from the wrist to the shuttle. This service is commonly used in the badminton doubles in comparison with the badminton singles. And should be played against the week, tall and slow opponents.
How to Perform a Drive Serve?
- This service is done with the help of forehand and underarm action.
- Stand away from the service line, comfortably.
- Place your master leg ahead and non-playing leg behind.
- Hold your racket below your waist and then pull it back parallel to the waist.
- Swing the racket forward direction after releasing the shuttle from hand.
- Hit the shuttle at a flatter angle above the net.
Benefits of Drive Serve
- These serves are made to target the opponent’s body parts.
- Also, push the opponent to the backhand area.
- Weaken the opponent’s defense.
Conclusion
Hope you liked the article, as we have mentioned the types of serves, that are made while playing badminton and we’ve also described the meaning of service and how to serve in badminton.
So, if you’re a badminton player, then this article can help you in performing an adequate service in the right situation, with the correct posture and technique.