Badminton Serve

Mastering various types of Badminton Serve is essential if you want to improve your game. Serving is the starting of a point. Use it not merely as "just a serve" but a weapon during games.

Always remind yourself not to cheaply lose points because of bad service, especially now with the new scoring system. Be familiar with the Badminton Service Rules as well.

Basically there are four types of serve.

High Serve

Use this badminton serve during singles play to move your opponent as far back in court as possible, thus opening up his court. Be more cautious if you use this serve during doubles. Opponents with strong attacking abilities will work this serve to your disadvantage.

* Played with a forehand underarm action.
* Stand two to three feet behind the short service line.
* Relax your body and bent your knees slightly.
* Lead with your non-racket leg and place your racket leg behind.
* Bring your racket back to almost your shoulder level then swing it forward following the rhythm of the stroke.
* Hold the shuttle by the feathers and let it drop slightly in front of you.
* Hit it with the flat face of your racket and follow through until your racket reaches the non-racket side of your head.

Low Serve

Use this badminton serve when you want your opponent to lift the shuttle. It is commonly used during doubles, but you can use it during singles too if your opponent’s attack is too strong. You can use either forehand or backhand to play this serve.

Forehand

* Stand two to three feet behind the short service line.
* Relax your body and bent your knees slightly.
* Lead with your non-racket leg and place your racket leg behind.
* Bring your racket back to your waist level then start your forward swing.
* Hold the shuttle by the feathers and bring it closer to meet the racket instead of dropping it in front.
* Contact the shuttle at a higher point but still below your waist line.
* Push the shuttle with the racket face and try to make the shuttle skim the tape of the net.

If you normally use high serve during singles, mix the low serve in occasionally. You might be able to catch your opponent off-guard if you can execute it well.

Backhand

* Stand in a comfortable and balanced position with your racket hand in front.
* Lead with your racket leg and place your non-racket leg behind with your feet pointing towards your opponent.
* Carry out a short back swing then bring the racket forward.
* Hold the shuttle on the tip of the feathers in front of your waist level.
* Push the shuttle with the racket face and try to make the shuttle skim the tape of the net.
* You can try to shorten the grip for a better control of the racket.
* Beware of breaking the Service Rules.

Ref:http://www.badminton-information.com/badminton_serve.html