5 Major Types Of Serves In Badminton
Badminton is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a relatively simple game to learn, but there are still a lot of strategies involved. One important aspect is the serve.
The serve defines how you start each point and can give you an advantage if done correctly.
There are different types of serves that can be used in badminton, depending on the game tactic, the match’s pace and even on your level of expertise if you are starting out!
Some of the popular ones are discussed below:
Major Types Of Serves In Badminton
Based on the style of grips there are two types, forehand serve and backhand serve.
The Forehand Serve
A forehand service represents the hand movement where the player holds the shuttlecock in a hand, and the other hand with the racket in it is placed at a marked distance.
Then, while executing it is brought to the shuttle and hit merely guided by the movement of the wrist. This leads to the application of a greater force compared to the backhand serve.
The forehand serve has an advantage over the backhand serve in terms of momentum, velocity and the curvature. However, it is harder to maintain a good target.
Mainly this service is used in women’s singles and occasionally in men’s singles. It is mostly avoided in double’s matches as the accuracy is more of a concern there.
So, to summarize, the Forehand serve has:
- Greater support of arm
- Lesser Accuracy
The Backhand Serve
A backhand serve involves short and more precise movements.
This type is executed by movement of the wrist and not of the arm. The racket is held parallel to the ground and moved anteriorly in the same plane when the shuttlecock is to be hit.
This type involves greater movement of wrist. So, it has an edge in terms of accuracy and control over shuttle in terms of trajectory.
Backhand serve is mostly preferred in double’s matches as accuracy is a big concern in double’s matches. It is also quite popular in men’s singles.
So, to sumarize, Backhand serve has:
- Greater support of wrist
- Higher accuracy
The Forehand serve and Backhand serve are very different in terms of their executions, trajectory and the types of responses they illicit. This study demonstrates the big differences between these two types by dividing them into several phases.
Based on the force used to hit the shuttle and distance travelled by the shuttlecock, two types are:
The High Serve
High serve is the most popular type and is seen being used most frequently in casual settings as well as highly competitive formal matches.
A high serve means that the shuttlecock rises with greater momentum and velocity, and travels all the way back to the end of the opposite quadrant.
This type of serve is very versatile in terms of its delivery, style and dodging abilities. It generally gives a start to a fast-paced game.
The major target while dining a fast-paced serve is to throw it at a distance past the opponent’s standing point, so he/ she has to travel back to defend the shuttle and throw to the other side.
A major characteristic to be noted in this case is the time required by high serve. This is not ideal in a double’s setting as the opponent are already at their respective position, and this serve may trigger an offensive response.
So, to summarize, High serve has:
- Large distance
- Large momentum
- Takes most time
- Has the largest curvature
The Low Serve
Low serve, also known as short serve, is also a highly popular type of service used in professional badminton plays–in singles as well as doubles.
A low serve means that the shuttlecock barely crosses the net line and immediately drops near the short-service line or at the beginning of the quadrants where the opponent is standing.
This type is not very versatile in terms of its execution as the target is to just make the shuttle close to the net.
The goal achieved due to this technique is, however, very similar to that achieved in a High serve. That is, to prevent the opponent from assuming a clear offensive stance.
A low serve has lesser velocity, momentum and curvature. The opponent has to jump forward to return it in a superior fashion, which scores an advantage for the player executing the short serve.
So, to summarize, Low Serve has :
- Low distance
- Less momentum
- Least amount of time
- Lowest curvature
The Flip Serve
The flip serve, also known as. the ‘flick’ serve is the more technical one of the lot. It is mostly performed by intermediate and elite level athletes.
This variety, as suggested by the name itself, involves a flip in the subtle. The shuttle is hit at an oblique angle, mostly in a backhand fashion. However, the shuttlecock is hit at a relatively marginal border which flips the serve.
It is also harder to maintain the trajectory of the service with this type. It is even harder to return the shuttle, due to its tricky nature.
It is quite popular in the fast-paced double’s games as the time is less to return the shuttle, giving the server an advantage if performed correctly.
So, to summarize, Flip serve has:
- Tricky trajectory
- Harder execution
Serves vary widely in professional badminton
In professional plays and elite badminton players’ encounters, technique and accuracy have a huge role in deciding the pace of the game.
A minute mistake may end up costing a point, if picked up by the equally-skilled opponent. Hence, these players spent enormous amount of time, effort and dedicated specific exercises for special muscle groups.
They also work on developing accurate reflexes for different scenarios and responses to different types of services.
It is generally considered a rule of thumb ‘to maintain an offensive stance’. Hence, most of the play is arranged in accordance with it.
Best serve for beginners
At the beginner level, it is important to note that the general flow of the game is more important than the skill level of the play itself, that is to keep the players interested in the play.
To simplify, the short serve is considered ‘safe’, while the long serves are considered ‘riskier’.
It is also true that the long services are beginner friendly, while short services are hard to execute properly.
So, it would be safe to say that you should go with the one you are most comfortable executing. At the later intermediate stages, you could always learn the more complex types.
