Badminton is an exciting and popular sport that can be enjoyed by all ages. While the rules of badminton are fairly straightforward, there are some complexities when it comes to playing the game in a doubles format. One of the most common questions that arises when playing badminton in a doubles format is who serves first? This article will explain who serves first in doubles badminton, as well as the rules for serve rotation.
How to Determine Who Serves First
When playing doubles badminton, the players on one side of the court will be designated as the “serving side” while the opposing side will be the “receiving side”. The players on the serving side will take turns to serve in a clockwise rotation, with the player on the right side of the court serving first and the player on the left side serving second. The players on the receiving side will also take turns in a clockwise rotation, with the player on the right side returning the serve first, followed by the player on the left side.
Rules for Serve Rotation
Once the serving and receiving players have been determined, serve rotation must be followed in order to ensure fair play. The players on the serving side are expected to serve two consecutive serves each before the serve is rotated to the opposing side. The players on the receiving side should also take turns returning the serve in a clockwise rotation. This means that the player on the right side will return the serve first and the player on the left side will return the serve second.
Once the serve has been rotated to the opposing side, the players on that side are expected to also serve two consecutive serves each before the serve is rotated back to the original serving side. This process will continue until the end of the game or until one side has reached the winning score.
Serving Order in Doubles Badminton
As mentioned above, the players on the serving side will take turns to serve in a clockwise rotation, with the player on the right side of the court serving first and the player on the left side serving second. The same order should be followed when returning the serve, with the player on the right side returning the serve first and the player on the left side returning the serve second.
The order of serving and returning should remain the same throughout the game, with the same players serving and returning the serve each time. If one of the players on the serving side is unable to serve for any reason, the other player will serve in their place until the first player is ready to return.
Advantages of Serving First in Doubles Badminton
Serving first in doubles badminton can be beneficial for the serving team as it allows them to control the pace of the game. By serving first, the serving team can decide how to attack their opponents and gain an early advantage. Additionally, serving first gives the serving team the opportunity to assess the abilities of their opponents and adjust their strategy accordingly.
In addition to controlling the pace of the game, serving first can also help the serving team gain a psychological advantage over their opponents. By serving first, the serving team can put pressure on their opponents and potentially gain an early lead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, who serves first in doubles badminton is determined by the players on the serving side taking turns to serve in a clockwise rotation, with the player on the right side of the court serving first and the player on the left side serving second. The same order should be followed when returning the serve, with the player on the right side returning the serve first and the player on the left side returning the serve second. Serving first can be advantageous for the serving team as it allows them to control the pace of the game and potentially gain a psychological advantage over their opponents.