Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Follow the basic rules of serving
• Method 2 of 3: Using Forehand Services
• Method 3 of 3: Run backhand services
• Tips

In badminton, a player must serve the ball at the start of each rally. Because serving is so frequent, it is important to be able to use different techniques to keep your opponent on their toes! For example, you can use a high serve so that the shuttle lands in the back of the field, followed by a low one that lands close to the net. Fortunately, once you understand the basics, you can easily alternate your shifts while on the track!

To step

Method 1 of 3: Follow the basic rules of serving

1. Stand in a service court without touching the boundary lines. If any part of your body touches a serving line, your team makes a mistake and your service doesn't count. The service court you use depends on whether you are playing singles or doubles and the side of the court depends on your score.
   • When playing singles, you are two to three feet behind the short serving line, the line closest to the net.
   • If you play doubles, you are 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) behind the inner back line. This is not the back line, but the one before it.
2. Serve from right to left if your score is an even number and vice versa. The direction of the service depends on the score. If your score (or your team's score in doubles) is an even number, or at the start of the game, serve from the right service court and hit the shuttle to the left.
   • Your serve is only in when it lands on the opposite side of the track.
   • If your score is an odd number, serve from the left service court.
3. Do not lift your feet off the ground during the service. Badminton rules say that you must keep at least part of both feet on the ground when serving. Your back left foot will lift by itself when you swing the racket, but make sure to keep your toes on the ground!
   • The rules also say that you should not drag your foot on the ground during the service, although you are allowed to turn.
4. Strike each shot from below your center. When serving, the shuttle must be under the bottom of your ribs or the hit is illegal. An overhand service like you see in tennis or volleyball is not allowed.
5. Vary your services so that they are not predictable. For example, if you serve low every trick, your opponent will expect this. Alternate your strokes between low serve, high serve, flicks and drives so that your opponent always has to guess where your next serve will go.

Method 2 of 3: Using Forehand Services

1. Hold the racket so that your thumb and middle finger touch each other during a forehand service. If you are holding the racket at a forehand service, turn it on its side and hold the handle as if you were shaking it. Your middle finger and your thumb should rest against each other and the space between your thumb and index finger should be in the shape of a V.
   • Your last two fingers should be wrapped around the handle of the racket.
   • Leave space between all your fingers to make sure you don't grip the racket too tightly.
2. Stand sideways with your weight on your back foot. Your non-dominant foot must be in front. By standing in front with your opposite foot, you will be able to smoothly swing the racket in front of your body. The way you shift your weight during your swing helps you have more control over your stroke.
   • You hold the racket in your dominant hand and the shuttle in your non-dominant hand.
3. Hold the shuttle by the springs with your thumb and index finger. The shuttle's cork should be facing down. For a forehand swing, you have to drop the shuttle into the path of the racket. By holding the springs with 2 fingers you get a neater fall. Try to keep the shuttle slightly lower than your chest and slightly to the side.
   • Keep your other fingers straight out so you don't accidentally hit them with the edge of the racket.
4. Release the shuttle just before swinging the racket with a forehand swing. Return the racket to about your shoulder, then drop the shuttle and swing the racket forward. Time the fall and swing so that the racket hits the shuttle below your waist.
   • Most badminton services are more about pushing the shuttle away gently than hitting it as hard as possible.
5. Bend your wrist back and push gently for a low forehand service. A low serve will just get over the net and is the most common service in badminton. The vertical drop on the other side of the net limits your opponent's swing, increasing your chances of a point.
   • While the majority of your services will likely be low services, don't forget to alternate them so your opponent doesn't know what to expect.
6. Swing the racket wide to hit a forehand high serve. With a high serve, hit the shuttle high so that it falls vertically in the back of your opponent's field. Raise the racket high above your shoulder, then drop it to your knees as you swing forward and bring it up toward the shuttle. As you continue with the shot, bring the racket to your other shoulder.
   • It can be difficult to learn the timing of a high serve, so be sure to wait a moment for the shuttle to drop in your racquet's path.
   • Aim for the ceiling instead of the back of the field. This helps your service stay in line.
   • A high serve is the only service that should be performed as a forehand swing.
7. Rotate your wrist at the end of your swing for a forehand flick service. A flick service looks a lot like a low serve to the end of the swing, making it a really good way to confuse your opponent. Hold your racket the same way you would with a low serve, but instead of a gentle push, apply some extra force with your wrist at the last minute. This sends the shuttle up instead of staying low to the net.
   • Push your thumb in the direction you want the shuttle to land to direct the direction of your swing.
   • The movement in your swing should be mostly forward rather than up.
8. Hit the service with more force to run a forehand drive service. Drive services are powerful services that steer the shuttle sharply over the opponent's path. Instead of pushing the shuttle or moving your wrist, try to hit the shuttle with more force.
   • Less skilled players often cannot hit a drive, but when playing against a skilled opponent, a drive service can be a risky bet as they tend to score a point if they hit it back.
   • Try to hit the shuttle forward instead of up so that it doesn't get outside the lines.

Method 3 of 3: Run backhand services

1. Place your thumb on the bevel of the handle for backhand services. Hold your racket as you would for a forehand service, with your fingers around the racket so that the sides of your thumb and middle finger touch, then rotate your hand until the mouse of your thumb touches the side of the handle.
   • If you are right-handed, turn your hand counterclockwise. If you are left-handed, turn your hand clockwise.
2. Stand forward with your dominant leg in front. With a backswing, the racket must swing in front of your body. By standing slightly sideways, you have more room for the swing. When you are standing correctly, your thumb should be facing your body.
   • Hold the racquet away from you and down to give yourself enough room to hit the shuttle.
3. Hold the shuttle between your thumb and forefinger by the springs. You don't have to drop the shuttle on a backswing, so make sure you keep your other fingers straight so you don't hit them with your racket.
   • Since you are not dropping the shuttle, make sure to hold it below the line of your waist.
   • Don't worry if the shuttle hits the strings of your racket.
4. Swing the racket forward and release the shuttle. As soon as the racket hits the shuttle, release it and push the shuttle forward with a gentle push. Power your swing with your wrist and elbow. Complete your swing by pushing up and forward.
   • You don't want the shuttle to fall, so it's important to hold onto it until the last minute.
   • If you don't give extra force or wrist movements, a simple backhand hit becomes a low serve.
5. Fast at the last minute to hit a backhand flick service. Start by holding the racket relaxed, then tighten your grip and move your wrist quickly just before the racket hits the shuttle. This will send the shuttle far up and drop it vertically into your opponent's back court.
   • Flick services are most effective if they are not used too often so that they attack your opponent. Try to make it look like a low service as much as possible.
6. Use a sharp forward swing to hit the shuttle on a backhand drive swing. A drive swing is fast and powerful, and can be effective if it surprises your opponent. Swing the racket sharply forward and stop the swing abruptly just after hitting the shuttle.
   • There are certain rules that prohibit certain drive shots, such as s-bows. Stand at the very front of the field on a drive swing and use a short sharp swing to avoid breaking these rules.

Tips

• Keep your body relaxed and bend your knees as you serve so that you have more control over your swing.
• If your racket does not hit the shuttle when serving, it is not considered a foul. Just pick up the shuttle and try the service again.
• All services must be private.