To serve in badminton, stand in your service court diagonally opposite your opponent, keep part of both feet on the floor, hold the shuttle below 1.15 meters from the floor, and hit the base of the shuttle with a smooth, continuous forward swing so it travels diagonally into the opposite service court. Singles players often use a high, deep serve to push the opponent back, while doubles players mostly use a low serve that just clears the net. Serve from the right court when your score is even and from the left when it is odd.
The serve is the only shot in badminton you fully control, so a reliable serve gives you a strong start to every rally. This guide explains the key rules, each type of serve, forehand and backhand technique, singles and doubles strategy, practice drills, and the most common faults.
Key badminton service rules
These are the main service rules in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Laws of Badminton.
Serve diagonally. The shuttle must land in the service court diagonally opposite.
Below 1.15 meters. The whole shuttle must be below 1.15 meters from the court surface at the moment of contact. This fixed-height rule replaced the older rule based on the server’s waist.
Hit the base first. The racket must first contact the base (cork) of the shuttle.
Keep both feet down. Part of both feet must remain in contact with the floor in a stationary position until the serve is delivered.
One continuous motion. Once the serve starts, the racket must keep moving forward. Stopping, feinting, or unduly delaying the serve is a fault.
Stay inside the lines. Server and receiver must stand within their service courts without touching the boundary lines.
Service court by score. The server serves from the right service court when their score is even (0, 2, 4…) and from the left when it is odd.
Singles vs. doubles service courts
| Format | Service court shape | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | Long and narrow: inner sideline, but all the way to the back boundary line | High, deep serves are effective |
| Doubles | Short and wide: outer sideline, but only to the doubles long service line, 0.76 m inside the back boundary | Low serves dominate because high serves are easy to smash |
Types of badminton serve
| Serve | Where it goes | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| Low (short) serve | Just over the net, landing near the front service line | Doubles, and increasingly in singles |
| High serve | High and deep, dropping near the back boundary line | Singles |
| Flick serve | Looks like a low serve, then flicked quickly over the receiver’s head | Doubles, as a surprise |
| Drive serve | Fast and flat toward the receiver’s body or backhand | Occasionally in doubles |
How to hit a forehand high serve, step by step
1. Take your stance. Stand about a meter behind the front service line, near the center line. For a right-hander, put the left foot forward and the right foot back, with the body turned slightly sideways.
2. Hold the shuttle. Hold the shuttle by the feathers with your non-racket hand, in front of your body and below the 1.15 m height.
3. Prepare the racket. Use a relaxed forehand grip and bring the racket back behind you.
4. Drop and swing. Release the shuttle and swing the racket forward and upward in one smooth motion, shifting your weight from the back foot to the front foot while keeping both feet on the floor.
5. Contact and follow through. Hit the base of the shuttle and follow through high toward your target, sending it high and deep.
6. Get ready. Move quickly back to your base position in the center of the court.
How to hit a backhand low serve, step by step
The backhand low serve is standard in doubles and increasingly common in singles because it is compact and hard to read.
1. Stand close to the front service line. Many players put the racket foot forward and stand square or slightly angled to the net.
2. Use a short backhand grip. Hold the racket higher on the handle, with the thumb supporting the back of the handle.
3. Hold the shuttle in front. Hold the shuttle by the feathers, pointing the base toward the racket face, below 1.15 m.
4. Use a short push. With a small backswing, push the racket forward smoothly, guiding the shuttle just over the net tape.
5. Aim low and short. The shuttle should peak on your side of the net and fall just past the front service line.
6. Raise the racket. After serving, lift your racket immediately to be ready for a net return.
Serving strategy
Singles. A high serve to the back line pushes your opponent deep and reduces attacking angles. Low serves can be effective against players who like to attack high serves, and many elite singles players now mix both.
Doubles. The low serve is the default. The flick serve is used occasionally to catch receivers who rush forward. Vary placement between the center line (the T) and the outside corner.
Consistency first. A consistent serve that lands in play is better than an aggressive serve that often faults.
Drills to improve your serve
Target serving. Place towels or shuttle tubes at the target areas and serve a set number of shuttles to each.
Low serve over a string. Tie a string slightly above the net and practice serving between the net and the string.
Serve and return. Practice serves with a partner who returns them, so you learn to prepare for the next shot.
Pressure serving. Count consecutive good serves and restart after a fault to simulate match pressure.
Common service faults and mistakes
Serving too high. Contacting the shuttle above 1.15 m is a fault in matches that apply the fixed-height rule.
Lifting a foot. Lifting or dragging a foot during the serve is a fault.
Hesitating mid-swing. Stopping or feinting once the serve has started is a fault.
Missing the base. Hitting the feathers first is a fault and makes the serve unpredictable.
Standing on the lines. Touching the boundary or center line with your feet is a fault for both server and receiver.
Serving from the wrong court. Keep track of your score to serve from the correct side.
Low serves that float. Serves that rise too high above the net invite an attacking return. Aim for a flat trajectory just over the tape.
A note on the rulebook
This guide follows the BWF Laws of Badminton, which apply to international competition and most national associations. Some local leagues, schools, and recreational clubs use simplified or older service rules, including the previous waist-height rule. Check with your umpire, league, or national association if you are unsure which rules apply.
Frequently asked questions
How high can you serve in badminton?
Under the BWF fixed-height rule, the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 meters from the court surface at the moment it is hit.
Which side do you serve from in badminton?
Serve from the right service court when your score is even and from the left service court when your score is odd.
Can the shuttle touch the net on a serve?
Yes. If the shuttle touches the net and still lands in the correct service court, the serve is good and play continues.
