Badminton Serve - How to Get Ahead From the Start...

Several volumes could be written on the Badminton serve, so I’ll keep my thoughts to a minimum, but ask you to consider and indeed perhaps practice any points raised.

I maintain that 50% or more of the points scored in a game are directly the result of a good Badminton serve or the response to it. Yet you will very rarely see it being practiced.

Why ?, well it's probably because people will rarely get a court to themselves, but will ‘warm up’ with a partner by hitting endless overhead clears.

If serving is so important within the game – YOU MUST PRACTICE IT. 

This is how to hit a consistent Badminton serve...

You need a solid base, body in balance, feet shoulders width apart, feet stationary and on the ground. Literally only the racquet arm should move, and only by having this ‘solid base’ can you maintain an accuracy and consistency of serving.

The ‘walking serve’ (illegal), out of balance, tip toes or foot flexes or rush to serve, all introduce ‘variations’ (usually wild ones) in an area where consistency is paramount. In a long and competitive game, tiredness will further amplify any serving variations. 

Aside from getting the shuttle into the opponents court, there a basically two aims...

• Firstly,  you need to make the service return as difficult as possible if not at all. 

• Secondly is to serve in such a way as to make that return be to your advantage, ie the 3-shot rally. This is especially important in doubles play, here you PLAN to make your opponent return the shuttle to you or your partner to your advantage. For example, serving from right hand court, serve low and out wide hoping your opponent will return high down the line where you partner (left handed) will be waiting.

When serving stand upright, the object being, particulary as the backhand serve is so prevalent now, is to hit the shuttle at the highest legal point and as far forward as you feel comfortable with. The object being time. The shorter the distance between the shuttle being hit and landing in the court means less air time for your opponent to deal with your serve. Less time means more mistakes.

• For a backhand serve hold the shuttle feathers between thumb and forefinger. 

• For a forehand serve hold the ‘neck’ of the shuttle.  

To get any better, you must practice your Badminton serve.

If you want to improve your fitness for Badminton then you should follow a Badminton training program which is specifically designed for Badminton players. Find out more here - Badminton training program

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