Badminton Serve

  In order to be successful in the game of badminton, one must master the serve.  You must keep your opponent guessing on which type of serve you are going to use and where you are going to place it.  The badminton serve is a big part of strategy.  There are a few different kind of serves: the high serve, low serve with your forehand or backhand,  flick serve, and drive serve.
 
    The high serve is mostly used during singles play in order to move your opponent as far back into the court as possible.  In order to execute this serve you use your forehand grip and  stand a few  feet behind the service line.  Bend your knees and extend your racket to almost shoulder level.   Be sure to follow through back into ready position when the shuttle has been hit.  Because of the close proximity to the back line many players hit this serve out.  Don't aim for the back line, but aim to hit it high towards the ceiling, thus eliminating the chance of a flat serve.  high serves should also be placed towards the middle of the court and not the corners.  
 
 
The low serve is most often used in doubles play, when you want your opponent to lift the shuttle.  You can also use this serve if your singles opponent's attack is too dominant.  To execute this serve you can either use the forehand grip or backhand grip.  To use your forehand grip have your racket at waist level before you begin your swing.  Contact the shuttle below your waist line, and push it forward so that it just makes it over the tape of the net.  To perform a low serve with your backhand, use a short back swing before contacting the shuttle at waist level.  Again be sure the shuttle just clears the top of the tape to catch your opponent off guard.  This serve is sent directly at your opponent, giving them less angles to return the shuttle back.  (In order for better control and feel you can shorten your grip on the backhand low serve).  The low serve should only be played when you can react quickly to the return.  This serve usually sets up for net play, and fast reflexes and quick footwork are a must.
 
 
 
    A flick serve is used when an opponent has momentum and is on the attack.  It is mostly used in doubles, because if your opponent in singles play knows you are going to use it, it can leave you vulnerable for an attack/smash return.  The key to this serve is all in the wrist action, on either your backhand or forehand.  It is a deceptive serve that gives the impression you are going to perform a low serve, but then at the last moment you flick your wrist to propel the shuttle over.  Stand close to the service line, unlike the other serves, and try to hit it above your opponents backhand out of their reach.
 
 
    A drive serve is considered an attacking serve, and can be used successfully in either singles or doubles competition.  The shuttle moves in a flatter arc then the other serves, and if you catch your opponent off guard it can lead to an unforced error.  The forehand grip is used for this serve, following through at waist level to contact the shuttle.   Use a lot of force to contact the shuttle and send it hard across the net.  Limit your follow through, and your racket face stays square with the net.  Unlike the high serve, the flick serve should be played to the corners to create greater movement for your opponent.
 
 

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