Badminton is a sport that requires a combination of speed, agility and technique. Knowing how to hit a low serve in badminton is a key skill to have as it can give your opponent less time to react and potentially put them on the back foot in the rally. Here, we will discuss the key tips and techniques to help you master the art of the low serve in badminton.
Grip
The grip you use when serving is the foundation of the stroke. A good grip will help you hit a low serve but also give you more control of the shuttlecock. The most common grip for a low serve is the forehand low serve grip. To adopt this grip, place your non-dominant hand at the top of the racket handle and your dominant hand on the bottom. Your dominant hand should be slightly cupped and your thumb should be at the side of the handle. Your dominant hand should be slightly lower than your non-dominant hand.
Stance
Having an effective stance is essential when performing any badminton stroke. For a low serve, the best stance is the ready position. To adopt this stance, stand facing the net at a 45-degree angle, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your bodyweight evenly distributed. Your knees should be slightly bent and your racket should be held in front of your body.
Movement
Next, you will need to consider your movement. Moving your body correctly and at the right time will help you generate power and hit a low serve. As you move your body forward, you should be pushing off with your non-dominant foot and rotating your body. As your body rotates, you should start to move your racket in a downwards motion. Your racket arm should remain straight, and your elbow should be close to your body.
Technique
Once you have adopted the correct stance and movement, you will need to consider the technique for the stroke. As your body rotates, you should be pushing your racket downwards and towards the shuttlecock. This will help generate power for the stroke. When your racket makes contact with the shuttlecock, you should be striking it with the flat face of your racket. Aim to hit the shuttlecock at the bottom of the cork, to ensure it travels low across the net. As you strike the shuttlecock, your arm should be straight and your wrist should be slightly bent.
Follow Through
A key element of any badminton stroke is the follow through. After striking the shuttlecock, your arm should continue in an upwards motion. This will help you keep your balance and also help to generate power. As you follow through, your non-dominant foot should move forward and your body weight should shift onto your dominant leg.
Practice
The only way to master the low serve in badminton is to practice. You should start with basic drills and then progress onto more complex drills as you become more confident. It is also important to practice with a partner, as they can help you to identify and correct any errors in your technique.
Conclusion
Hitting a low serve in badminton is an essential skill to have. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you will be on your way to mastering the low serve and taking your badminton game to the next level.