In badminton, the serve is the shot used to start a rally. It is played from the service court on one side of the court, and the player serving must hit the shuttlecock over the net and into the diagonal service court on the opposite side of the court.
There are several rules governing the serve in badminton, including:
- The server must stand within the service court while serving, and the serving side must be decided before the start of the match.
- The shuttlecock must be hit below the server’s waist with the racket head pointing downwards, and the server’s feet must remain stationary until the shuttlecock is struck.
- The shuttlecock must be hit over the net and into the diagonal service court on the opponent’s side of the court, and it must land within the boundaries of the court.
- If the serve is faulty, the opponent is awarded a point, and the serve is passed to the opponent.
- If the serve is good, the rally continues until a point is scored by one of the players.
The serve is an important aspect of the game, as it can give the serving player an advantage by setting up an attacking shot or forcing a weak return from the opponent. There are different types of serve, such as the high serve, low serve, and flick serve, each with its own technique and strategy.
To serve in badminton, follow these steps:
- Stand in the correct position: Stand within your service court with both feet inside the court and behind the service line. Your non-racket foot should be slightly in front of your racket foot and pointing towards the net.
- Hold the shuttlecock correctly: Hold the shuttlecock by the base with your non-racket hand, and place it on the center of the racket.
- Decide on the type of serve: Choose the type of serve you want to play. For example, a low serve, high serve, or flick serve. The choice of serve will depend on the situation, your opponent, and your own playing style.
- Start the service motion: Begin the service motion by bringing the racket head back and down behind your back while simultaneously moving your non-racket foot backwards.
- Execute the serve: As you bring the racket forward, swing it upwards and hit the shuttlecock with the racket head. The shuttlecock should be hit below your waist, and your racket head should be pointing downwards at the point of impact. Make sure to hit the shuttlecock over the net and into the diagonal service court on your opponent’s side of the court.
- Follow through: After hitting the shuttlecock, follow through with your racket in the direction of the shot. Your non-racket foot should land inside the service court, while your racket foot should land outside the court.
- Be aware of service faults: Be aware of service faults, which can occur if you move your feet or racket before hitting the shuttlecock or if the shuttlecock lands outside the service court.
Remember, practice is important to improve your serving technique. Practice different types of serves to develop a range of serving skills, and work on your footwork and timing to ensure accurate and consistent serves.