7 Badminton Serve Techniques, Must be Mastered by Beginners & Pros

Before starting to play badminton, you need to first understand the correct serve technique. The serve is the first stroke that determines the flow of the game. This means that if the technique is wrong, it can be considered a fault and the opponent can score a point.

By mastering the serve, the game becomes more organized, and the chance of winning increases. Let's take a look at some commonly used badminton serve techniques below.

Definition and Importance of Serve in Badminton

Serving in badminton is the first step taken at the start of each game or after a point has been scored. Its function is not just to start the game, but also to determine the direction and pace of the rally.

If you master the serve technique correctly, you can put more pressure on the opponent and even score points. But if the serve goes wrong, for example, if the shuttlecock gets caught in the net or lands outside the opponent's court, the opponent's team will gain a point.

To ensure your serves are effective and have the potential to earn points, it is important to understand the various serve techniques used by badminton players.

Rules for Badminton Singles vs Doubles Serve

Generally, the serve rules are similar, but the serve area and method differ slightly between singles and doubles. Here is a simple explanation:

Singles Serve Rules

The serve must be done diagonally and pass over the net.
If the shuttlecock falls in the front area or outside the sides of the singles service court, the serve is considered out, and the opponent will score a point.
If your score is even (including 0), serve from the right service box.
If your score is odd, serve from the left service box.
As long as the player has not lost a point, the same player continues to serve.
When serving, the shuttlecock must not be higher than 115 cm above the hand.

Rules for Double Serve

Service must also be done diagonally and pass over the net.
When the score is zero or even, service is done from the right-hand box.
When the score is odd, service is done from the left-hand box.
There is only one serve opportunity per team turn. If the service fails or the opponent scores a point, the serve turn immediately shifts.
A shuttlecock that falls in an area that is too far forward or too far back is considered out, and the opponent will earn a point.
The player serving must stand in the box according to their team’s score. For example, if the score is even, the player on the right serves.

How to Properly Serve in Badminton

In badminton, the serve is not just about starting the game, but also a strategy to put pressure on your opponent from the beginning. To make your game more varied and unpredictable, it is important to master several different badminton serve techniques.

Below are some types of serves in badminton that you can learn and practice to improve your performance on the court.

1. Long Serve

The long serve is a technique to hit the shuttlecock high and far towards the back line of the opponent's court. The main goal is to make the opponent move back and find it difficult to return the shuttle accurately.

This technique can also be used to exploit gaps in the opponent's defense, especially if they are positioned too close to the net.

Here is an easy way to do a long serve in badminton:

Position one foot in front, either the left or right, and the other foot behind. The body weight should be evenly balanced between both feet.
Swing the hand holding the racket backward until it is parallel to the shoulder.
After that, swing the racket forward and hit the shuttlecock when the racket is in front of the body.
While practicing, focus on controlling the serve direction and the hit strength so that the shuttlecock lands near the back line of the opponent's court.

Now, to keep your body energized and less prone to fatigue while playing badminton, it is important to maintain adequate fluid intake. One practical way to do this is to always carry a 600 ml bottle of AQUA.

AQUA is pure mountain water that feels refreshingly cool when consumed, even without being stored in a refrigerator first. This is because AQUA comes from protected water sources with naturally preserved minerals.

So, make sure you always bring AQUA whenever playing badminton to keep your body properly hydrated!

2. Short Serve

The next badminton service technique is the short service. In badminton, a short service is a stroke directed to the front part of the opponent's court, near the center line or the sidelines of the service area.

The shuttlecock will fly low and slow, just skimming slightly over the net. The goal is to prevent the opponent from immediately counterattacking with a powerful hit.

This serve is often used in doubles games because it can make it difficult for the opponent to return the shuttlecock effectively.

Here are the steps to do a short serve:

Hold the racket in one hand, then hold the shuttlecock in the other hand.
Arrange your standing position with one foot in front and one behind, keeping the body balanced.
Before hitting, slowly shift your body weight from the back foot to the front foot.
Move the racket from back to front, approximately at shoulder height.
Release the shuttlecock and hit it gently so that it lands close to the net in the opponent's area.

3. Forehand Serve

The forehand serve technique in badminton is also often called an underhand serve because the shuttlecock is hit from below, right when it is released from the hand. There are two variations of this technique, namely the high forehand and the short forehand.

Long Forehand Serve

The long forehand serve is often used in singles matches. This technique involves hitting the shuttlecock as hard as possible so it flies high and far, then lands perpendicular to the opponent's backline.

This type of serve can make the opponent retreat and find it difficult to return the shot, especially if they are not prepared with a defensive position at the back.

Here is how to do a long forehand serve:

Take one step back from the front service line (do not stand exactly on the line).
Position your left foot in front and your right foot behind as support.
Hold the shuttlecock with your left hand.
Hold the racket with your right hand casually, positioned as if shaking hands.
Swing the racket from back to front, then hit the shuttlecock as high as possible so that it falls far into the opponent's back area.
Do not move your right foot when hitting. If it shifts or steps on the line, it can be considered a fault.

Short Forehand Serve

In this serve technique, the racket is not swung too wide or far. The movement is fairly short and simple.

When hitting the shuttlecock, the elbow should remain slightly bent so that the shot is more directed and not too forceful. This method is usually used to send the shuttlecock to the front part of the opponent's court with better control.

Here is how to perform the short backhand serve in badminton:

Stand facing the opponent with your right foot in front and your left foot behind.
Keep your right and left feet shoulder-width apart to maintain balance.
Slightly bend your right knee to prepare for the shot.
Hold the racket as if shaking hands.
Point the racket in front of your body, with the back of the racket facing the opponent.
Hold the shuttlecock in front of the racket, then hit it gently and direct it toward the front area of the opponent's court.

4. Backhand Serve

The backhand serve is one of the short serve techniques in badminton, performed with the racket positioned in front of the body and the stroke made from the inside.

Usually, the shuttlecock is directed as close as possible to the front line of the opponent's court so that it barely floats above the net. The goal is to make it difficult for the opponent to return the shuttlecock and give you a chance to take control of the game from the start.

Here is how to do a backhand serve in badminton:

Position your right foot in front and your left foot behind, with your right foot facing directly toward the opponent.
Open both legs shoulder-width apart, then slightly bend your knees to maintain balance.
Hold the shuttlecock with your left hand and the racket with your right hand (or vice versa according to your habit).
Position the racket in front of your chest, then direct the shuttlecock in front of the racket.
Swing the racket toward the shuttlecock, and at the same time, release the shuttlecock from your hand and hit it toward the opponent's area.

5. Flick Serve

This serve is known for its fast and surprising stroke. This type of serve can be performed with either a forehand or backhand style, depending on the situation on the court.

Typically, this serve is used to deceive the opponent. Because the stroke is sudden, the opponent is often unprepared, increasing your chances of scoring a point.

Here is an easy way to do a flick serve in badminton:

Stand with your right foot forward and your left foot back. Point the tip of your right foot towards the target.
Open your legs shoulder-width apart and slightly bend your knees to keep your body balanced in the center.
Hit the shuttlecock quickly and direct it to the back of the court, at about half the height of the opponent's body.
Pay attention to the opponent's standing position before hitting, so that the shuttlecock is less likely to be intercepted or smashed while still in the air.

6. Flat Serve

A flat serve is a serve technique performed by hitting the shuttlecock quickly, hard, and straight, so that it flies horizontally and passes just above the net.

The purpose of this serve is to direct the shuttlecock to the area between the back line and the center line of the opponent's court. Here is how to perform a flat serve in badminton:

Position your left foot in front and your right foot behind, then shift your weight onto the back foot to maintain better balance.
Hold the shuttlecock in one hand and the racket in the other. If you are left-handed, adjust as you are comfortable.
Hit the shuttlecock from below the waist with a quick and straight motion. Try to make the shuttlecock float low, parallel to the net, and difficult for the opponent to predict.

7. Smash Serve

The smash serve technique, also commonly called the whip serve, is a type of serve executed with a fast and powerful strike.

The purpose of this serve is to surprise the opponent. The shuttlecock is hit with full force so that it lands directly in the opponent's area at high speed. Due to its quick movement, the opponent usually does not have time to react or return it effectively.

Here are the easy steps to do a smash serve in badminton:

Start in a standing position as you would for a regular serve, either short or long.
Hold the shuttlecock and racket as usual, then adjust your body to a balanced position.
When about to hit, swing your wrist as fast and as hard as possible, with a motion similar to whipping.
Make sure the shuttlecock is struck sharply so it flies quickly into the opponent's area and is difficult to return.

That concludes the explanation about badminton serve techniques, from long serves to smash serves.

Mastering each serve type can help you play more tactically and confidently on the court. But don't forget that while you are moving and sweating, your body also needs sufficient fluid intake to stay hydrated.

For convenience, you can bring a 600 ml AQUA bottle. Its convenient size makes it easy to carry and fit into your bag. That way, your fluid needs are met without disrupting your focus on the game!