3. Serving

Some overall tips to remember when serving in badminton include:

• Always serve diagonal, not forward
• Must serve below waist
• Front foot must not cross the short service line

Short Serve

A short serve or low serve is used when you are aiming for the short service line, in front of your opponent, hopefully preventing them from making an offensive shot. Often, this is good when competing in a doubles game. To perform a short serve:

• Hold the feather part of the birdie using the thumb and index and index finger, with the head pointing downwards
• Use the backhand grip and position the racquet behind the birdie pointing downward
• Step slightly forward with your dominant leg
• Drop the birdie and push the racquet forward with your thumb towards the intended target
• The power will come from the push of the thumb and a slight flick of the wrist

Now watch the VIDEO by expert Nghia Tran to see it in action.

Deep (Long) Serve

The deep serve or high serve is used when you want the birdie to land at the back end of the court or end line of the court. A good high serve will have a trajectory of the birdie dropping steeply downwards, almost 90 degrees at the service line, preventing an opponent to execute a strong attacking shot. This is good when competing in single games. To perform a deep serve:

• Hold the head of the birdie with the head facing downward
• Use the forehand grip and stand sideways towards the net
• Drop the birdie and swing the racquet upwards
• Make contact in front of the front foot with the palm  pointing in the serving direction
• Follow through to the opposite side of shoulder

Now watch the VIDEO by expert Nghia Tran to see it in action.