Badminton Doubles Strategies

The basic serve with doubles is a short serve, forcing the receiver to get close to the net making it hard to create an attack shot and having him raise the birdie in order to clear the net, causing the return to be high and close enough to the net for a clear smash. High serves must be done fast, since it gives the front player the opportunity to smash right away, making the receiver take a step back reaching his partners defensive line.

When practicing the doubles team must work around alternatives ways of defense and offense without giving any advantage to the opponent and more important not creating empty spaces where the opponent can take advantage. Keeping quick and low returns (when close to the net) are always a must, if not you're creating opportunity for your opponent to attack, all returns should be carefully placed without creating easy returns. When gearing up for an a attach players should stand one in front of the other, giving each other enough room to swing at a good smash, without having look over their shoulder if they will hit their doubles partner. When setting up for defense players should stand side by side and covering as much court as possible without leaving an inch open. When changing from a defense stance to an attack position, a high and deep clear works best, since it gives you enough time to move while keeping your opponent heading towards the baseline.

When attacking the front player (or net player) should return all the volleys he can reach. He must keep his racket high a couple inches above the net so he is ready at all time for a quick return. If he is not able to smash he must barely clear the net with birdie so the opponent net player will be forced to raise it creating an attack possibility. The baseline player must always swing from a high position to as low as possible to clear the net and allowing his partner to see the birdie. He should also alternate speeds and angles causing the opponent to hit with a slow return and creating more attach opportunities for the net player.

When attacking diagonal volleys should be used occasionally, since it moves your partner out of the attack position and where the opponent can take advantage of the open spaces.

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