How to Serve in Badminton: A Step-by-Step Beginner Guide

Learning how to serve in badminton is one of the first practical skills every beginner needs.

A good serve starts the rally under control. It should land in the correct diagonal service court, stay within the service rules, and make it difficult for your opponent to attack immediately.

For beginners, the best place to start is usually the backhand low serve. After that, you can add the forehand high serve, which is especially useful in singles.

This guide explains both serves step by step, shows you how to stand, hold the racket and shuttle, make contact, aim the serve, and avoid the most common beginner mistakes.

Quick answer: For a basic backhand low serve, stand inside the correct service court, use a relaxed thumb grip, hold the racket in front of your body, place the shuttle near the racket, use a short backswing, and push through the shuttle so it travels low over the net into the diagonally opposite service court.

Before You Serve: Know the Basic Rules

You do not need to memorize every service law before practising technique, but you should know the main points.

Under the current BWF Laws of Badminton:

• the server and receiver must stand in diagonally opposite service courts without touching their boundary lines
• part of both feet of the server and receiver must remain in contact with the court and stationary from the start of the service until it is delivered
• the server’s racket must initially hit the base of the shuttle
• the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the court surface at the instant it is hit
• once the service starts, the racket movement must continue forwards until the service is delivered
• the shuttle must travel upward over the net toward the receiver’s service court
• if the server completely misses the shuttle while attempting to serve, the service is considered delivered; the attempted serve results in a fault

These are the main beginner points, not a complete service-rule checklist. For more detail, including fault examples and who receives in doubles, see Badminton Service Rules Explained.

Which Side Do You Serve From?

The serving side’s score determines whether the serve comes from the right or left service court. In singles, that is your own score; in doubles, it is your team’s score.

Even serving-side score: serve from the right service court.

Odd serving-side score: serve from the left service court.

That means:

• 0 = right
• 1 = left
• 2 = right
• 3 = left

and so on.

This rule applies in both singles and doubles. If you need a refresher on points and service courts, read Badminton Scoring Explained. For the extra player-order rules in doubles, see Badminton Doubles Rules for Beginners.

Start With the Backhand Low Serve

The BWF Shuttle Time beginner programme teaches the backhand serve as one of the early serving techniques.

A good low serve travels just over the net and lands near the front of the diagonally opposite service court.

It is commonly used in doubles and is also used in singles.

The goal is not to hit hard.

The goal is to make the shuttle travel low, controlled, and accurate.

How to Do a Backhand Low Serve Step by Step

Step 1: Stand Inside the Correct Service Court

Stand inside the right or left service court according to whether the serving side’s score is even or odd.

A common beginner setup is to stand fairly close to the front service line and near the centre line, especially in doubles.

The BWF Shuttle Time manual notes that the stance can vary, but a common setup is with the racket foot forward and the player close to the “T”.

The “T” is the area where the centre line meets the short service line.

Do not touch a service-court boundary line while serving. Under the BWF Laws, both the server and receiver must stand inside their diagonally opposite service courts without touching the boundary lines. Keep your stance stable through the serve.

If the service lines are confusing, review Badminton Court Dimensions and Lines.

Step 2: Use a Relaxed Thumb Grip

Use the thumb grip explained in the previous lesson, How to Hold a Badminton Racket: Beginner Grip Guide.

Keep the grip relaxed.

Do not squeeze the handle tightly before you begin.

The racket should sit comfortably in front of your body.

Step 3: Hold the Shuttle in Front of the Racket

Hold the shuttle gently by the feathers or skirt.

Bring it close to the racket face.

The BWF beginner method describes placing the shuttle on or very close to the racket before the serving action.

The setup should feel compact.

You do not need a large arm swing.

Step 4: Take a Short Backswing

Move the racket backward only a short distance.

Open the racket face slightly.

A large backswing makes timing and control harder for beginners.

The backhand low serve is more like a controlled push than a full swing. Once the forward serving action has started, keep the racket moving forward until the serve is delivered.

Step 5: Push Through the Shuttle

Move the racket forwards smoothly.

Strike the base of the shuttle.

The BWF Shuttle Time teaching cue is essentially to push through the shuttle.

Do not slap at it.

Do not try to generate maximum power.

Your objective is to send the shuttle low over the net.

Step 6: Let the Racket Continue Forward

After contact, let the small pushing action continue naturally.

The follow-through should remain compact.

Bring the racket back up so you are ready for the receiver’s return.

A serve is only the first shot of the rally, so recovery matters.

Where Should a Low Serve Land?

A good low serve usually lands near the front of the diagonally opposite service court.

You want the shuttle to pass close to the top of the net and begin dropping quickly.

If the serve is too high, the receiver may attack it.

If it is too short, it may not reach the correct service court.

If it travels too far, it may land outside the correct service boundary.

A serve landing on the correct short service line is in. The lines form part of the area they define; the shuttle does not have to land beyond the line without touching it.

Accuracy is more important than speed.

How High Should the Shuttle Travel?

For a low serve, the shuttle should travel only high enough to clear the net safely.

There is no need to make it skim the tape every time while you are learning.

Start with a little extra safety margin.

As your control improves, gradually work on making the flight flatter and lower.

The ideal beginner progression is:

legal serve first → accurate serve → lower serve → more consistent serve

How to Hold the Shuttle for a Backhand Serve

Hold the shuttle gently rather than pinching it hard.

Most beginners hold it near the feathers or skirt, with the cork base pointing toward the racket face.

Your non-racket hand should help position the shuttle in front of the racket.

Release it naturally as the racket moves into contact.

Avoid throwing the shuttle upward before hitting it.

The backhand low serve should remain a compact action.

Should You Use Your Wrist?

The low serve does not require a large wrist snap.

Beginners often lose control by trying to flick the wrist too aggressively.

Instead, use a small, controlled forward action with the fingers and forearm.

The racket should accelerate enough to send the shuttle across the net, but the movement should stay smooth.

Later, more advanced serve variations may use faster finger action.

For now, prioritize control.

Common Backhand Low-Serve Mistakes

Mistake 1: Swinging Too Hard

A hard swing often sends the shuttle too high or too long.

Fix: Use a compact pushing motion.

Mistake 2: Holding the Racket Too Tightly

A tight grip reduces touch and makes the serving action stiff.

Fix: Keep the thumb grip relaxed and use only the pressure needed for control.

Mistake 3: Using a Big Backswing

A long backswing makes timing less predictable.

Fix: Move the racket back only a short distance.

Mistake 4: Hitting the Feathers First

The official service law requires the racket to initially hit the base of the shuttle.

Fix: Present the cork base toward the racket.

Mistake 5: Serving Too High

A high low-serve gives the receiver more attacking opportunity.

Fix: Practise sending the shuttle on a flatter path while still clearing the net.

Mistake 6: Watching Only the Shuttle

Beginners sometimes forget where the target service court is.

Fix: Look at the target before beginning your serve, then focus on clean contact.

Mistake 7: Moving the Feet During the Serve

The server’s feet must meet the service requirements from the start of the service until delivery.

Fix: Set your stance first and remain stable through contact.

For more beginner errors beyond serving, see Common Badminton Mistakes Beginners Make (and How to Fix Them).

The Forehand High Serve

The forehand high serve is another useful beginner serve.

It is used mainly in singles.

Instead of travelling low over the net, the shuttle travels high and deep toward the rear of the opponent’s service court.

The purpose is to push the receiver backward and begin the rally from a more neutral or defensive position.

How to Do a Forehand High Serve

Step 1: Use a Sideways Stance

Stand inside the correct service court with your body slightly sideways.

The BWF Shuttle Time method uses a sideways stance for the high serve.

Place more of your weight on the rear leg at the start.

Step 2: Use the V-Grip

Use the basic V-grip.

Hold the racket and shuttle comfortably, with enough space for a smooth forward-and-upward motion. Remember that the entire shuttle must still be below 1.15 metres at the instant of contact, even though you are trying to send it on a high flight.

Stay relaxed.

Step 3: Begin the Weight Transfer

As you prepare to swing, begin transferring your weight from the rear leg toward the front leg.

At the same time, let the shuttle drop slightly in front and to the side of your body.

Step 4: Swing Upward and Forward

Lower the racket, then swing forwards and upwards.

Accelerate smoothly.

Strike underneath the shuttle in front and slightly to the side of your body.

The shuttle should climb high.

Step 5: Follow Through

Let the racket continue upward and forward naturally.

The follow-through is much longer than the compact backhand low serve.

After the serve, recover your balance and prepare for the return.

Where Should a High Serve Land?

A high serve should travel toward the rear of the diagonally opposite service court.

In singles, that means aiming deep toward the back boundary area.

The shuttle should rise high and then drop steeply.

A good high serve gives your opponent less opportunity to attack immediately from a comfortable position.

Low Serve vs High Serve

Both serves can be useful, but they solve different problems.

Backhand Low Serve

Best beginner characteristics:

• low trajectory
• short, compact action
• commonly used in doubles
• also useful in singles
• aims to limit an aggressive return

Forehand High Serve

Best beginner characteristics:

• high trajectory
• longer swing
• used mainly in singles
• aims deep toward the rear service area
• gives you more time to prepare after serving

For most beginners, it is sensible to become reliable with the low serve first.

Then add the high serve.

What About the Flick Serve?

A flick serve begins with a setup that looks similar to a low backhand serve but is sent faster and deeper.

It can surprise a receiver who is moving forward expecting a low serve.

However, the flick serve requires better timing and control.

You do not need it immediately.

Build a consistent low serve first.

Once you can reliably serve low without obvious changes in your preparation, you can begin learning faster serve variations.

Where Should You Aim Your Serve?

Do not always aim at exactly the same spot.

As a beginner, start with large, safe targets.

For low serves, practise aiming:

• near the front of the service court
• toward the centre line
• toward the wider service area while staying inside the boundary

For high serves, practise aiming deep.

Accuracy should come before deception.

A Simple Badminton Serving Practice Drill

You can practise serving alone if you have a court and several shuttlecocks.

Target Serve Drill

Place a towel, hoop, cone area, or other safe target inside the correct service court.

Serve 10 shuttles.

Count how many land inside or near the target.

Then move the target and repeat.

The BWF Shuttle Time manual specifically uses target-based serve practice, including serving toward a basket or towel.

This is more useful than simply hitting serves without a goal. You can build on this activity with Badminton Drills for Beginners or use How to Practice Badminton Alone for additional solo exercises.

Beginner Serve Consistency Challenge

Try this progression:

Level 1

Get 5 legal serves out of 10 into the correct service court.

Level 2

Get 7 out of 10 into the correct service court.

Level 3

Get 7 out of 10 into a large target area.

Level 4

Get 8 out of 10 low over the net into the target area.

Level 5

Repeat from both the right and left service courts.

Do not rush through the levels.

Consistency is more useful than occasional perfect serves.

Should Singles and Doubles Serves Be Different?

The legal service action follows the same core service laws, but the tactical target changes.

In singles, the service court is long and narrow.

In doubles, the service court is short and wide. Remember that this describes the legal landing area during the serve, not the shuttle’s trajectory.

That is why high serves are associated more with singles, while low serves are especially important in doubles.

The actual boundary lines matter, so make sure you understand the court before practising.

If needed, review:

Badminton Court Dimensions and Lines: Singles vs Doubles Explained

Badminton Serving FAQ

What is the easiest badminton serve for beginners?

The backhand low serve is a practical first serve because the action is compact and easy to repeat.

Which grip should I use for a backhand low serve?

The BWF Shuttle Time beginner method uses a short, relaxed thumb grip.

Which grip should I use for a forehand high serve?

Use a V-grip.

Do I serve from the right or left side?

Use the serving side’s score: even means the right service court, and odd means the left. In singles, this is your individual score; in doubles, it is your pair’s score.

How low must the shuttle be when I serve?

Under the current BWF Laws of Badminton, the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the court surface at the instant it is hit by the server’s racket.

Do both feet have to stay still?

Part of both feet of the server and receiver must remain in contact with the court and stationary from the start of the service until the service is delivered.

Can I serve overhand in badminton?

A legal serve must satisfy the BWF service laws, including the requirement that the entire shuttle is below 1.15 metres when struck. A normal overhead attacking stroke would not meet this height requirement.

For a beginner, learn the standard low and high serves described above. The high serve refers to the shuttle’s flight after contact—not permission to strike it high above your head.

Is the high serve used in doubles?

It can be used, but it is risky because it gives opponents a chance to attack.

Low serves are much more common in doubles.

Should I learn a flick serve immediately?

No. Learn a reliable low serve first.

Final Takeaway

A good badminton serve is built on control, not force.

For your first backhand low serve:

stand in the correct service court

use a relaxed thumb grip

hold the shuttle in front of the racket

use a short backswing

push through the shuttle

recover quickly

Then add the forehand high serve for singles.

Your goal is not to hit the most advanced serve.

Your goal is to start the rally legally, accurately, and consistently.

Your Next Lesson

The next guide in the Sports Made Clear beginner sequence is:

Badminton Service Rules Explained: Singles, Doubles, and Common Faults

It explains the legal service requirements, common service faults, and how serving and receiving work in singles and doubles.

For a quick review, return to How to Hold a Badminton Racket: Beginner Grip Guide. You can also explore Badminton Doubles Rules for Beginners if you want to understand doubles rotation in more detail.

Or return to the Badminton Learning Hub for the complete 14-article learning path.

Rules and Technique Sources

This guide uses the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Laws of Badminton for current service rules and the BWF Shuttle Time Schools Badminton Teachers’ Manual for beginner serving technique.

The current BWF service laws include the stationary-foot requirement, initial contact with the shuttle base, the 1.15-metre service height, continuous forward racket movement, and diagonal service-court requirement.

Official BWF Laws of Badminton — Section 4.1

BWF Shuttle Time Schools Badminton Teachers’ Manual

Last reviewed: October 6, 2026