Perfect Your Badminton Serve with These Proven Techniques

Badminton is a popular racket sport that requires quick reflexes, agility, and precision. One of the key skills to master in badminton is the serve. A good serve can give you an advantage in the game and set the tone for the rest of the match. In this article, we will guide you on how to perfect your badminton serve, its history, importance, and how it is celebrated in the badminton community. Let’s get started!

History of Badminton Serve

Badminton has been around for centuries, with its origins dating back to ancient Greece, China, and India. The modern version of the game was introduced in the mid-19th century in England. Back then, it was known as “poona” and was played with a feathered shuttlecock and a racket made of solid wood. As the game evolved, rules were developed, and one of the crucial elements in the game was the serve.

Initially, the serve in badminton was a high serve to the back of the court, known as the “lob serve.” However, in the 1990s, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) introduced a new rule that made the serve shorter and flatter, known as the “flick serve.” This made the game more fast-paced and exciting, making the serve a crucial aspect of the game.

How to Badminton Serve: Step-by-Step Guide

Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, it is essential to understand the different types of badminton serves. Besides the lob serve and the flick serve, there is also the traditional low serve, which is used to keep the opponent close to the net. Now, let’s look at how to perform each serve.

Low Serve

1. Stand in the center of the court, behind the service line, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Hold the shuttlecock in your non-dominant hand, placing your thumb at the bottom, and your fingers on top for support.
3. With your racket hand, hold the racket in a backhand grip.
4. Position your racket arm parallel to your body, with your forearm pointing towards the shuttlecock.
5. Bring your racket arm back and swing it forward in a pendulum motion, hitting the shuttlecock with a flick of your wrist.
6. The shuttlecock should go over the net and land close to the opponent’s service line.

Flick Serve

1. Stand in the same position as the low serve.
2. Hold the shuttlecock in your non-dominant hand, but this time, place your thumb at the top and your fingers underneath for a better grip.
3. With your racket hand, hold the racket in a forehand grip.
4. Bring your racket arm back as if you are going to perform a low serve, but instead, swing your arm towards the shuttlecock, hitting it with a flick of your wrist.
5. The shuttlecock should travel higher and shorter than the low serve, directly aimed at the opponent’s face or mid-court area.

Lob Serve

1. Stand in the same position as the low serve, with your feet slightly wider apart.
2. Hold the shuttlecock in your non-dominant hand, with your thumb at the bottom and your fingers on top.
3. Hold your racket in a forehand grip.
4. Bring your racket arm back, pointing the racket at the shuttlecock.
5. Swing your arm in an upward motion, hitting the shuttlecock with a flat racket face, sending it high and deep into the opponent’s backcourt.

Practice is key to perfecting each type of serve. Remember to use your wrist to generate power and have a relaxed grip on the racket for better control. A good serve can put you at an advantage in the game, so make sure to work on your serves regularly.

Importance of Badminton Serve

The serve is the first shot in each rally, making it a crucial element in badminton. It sets the tone for the game and can determine the pace and outcome of a match. A good serve can give you an advantage, while a poor serve can cost you points. Besides, a well-executed serve can put pressure on your opponent and force them into a defensive play, giving you a chance to attack and win the rally.

Celebration of Badminton Serve

In the badminton community, a good serve is celebrated and recognized as a skill that requires practice and precision. Badminton tournaments and championships often have a best serve competition, where players showcase their skills and compete for the title. In 2014, a new Guinness world record was set for the fastest badminton serve, with a speed of 493 km/h. This goes to show how much importance is given to the serve in the badminton world.

Facts About Badminton Serve

• The shuttlecock must be hit below waist height for a serve to be considered legal.
• The serve must also cross over the