Badminton players should utilize various serve and return strategies. Varying their serve can cause their opponents to shift into playing a different style of game.
Defense players should adopt a side by side position in the rear midcourt to better cover more of their court from opponents’ smashes.
Short Serve
Badminton doubles requires a careful balance between attacking and defensive strategies. Players must cover all areas of the court while communicating well among themselves and adapt their strategy according to opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. Certain tactics like short and high serving may help increase pressure on opposing teams so as to force errors from them.
When returning the shuttle, it is crucial to be mindful of where opponent shots will land. If a shot lands nearer the front court, intercepting short shots with smashes may be easier; but if its trajectory leads backwards it may be met by powerful lobs which force it back across court; in these circumstances it would likely be best to strike directly using deep shots.
Once back on their own court, teams should make immediate adjustments based on how the opponent responds. Players should vary their attacks using deceptive shots in order to surprise and disrupt opponents.
Avoid playing “blindly.” Players should only smash when confident of successfully hitting the shuttle over the net; otherwise they should remain patient and wait for an opportunity to score; this will prevent their opponent from exploiting gaps between themselves and their partner and exploiting these opportunities for victory.
An effective badminton doubles serve and return strategy involves employing the flick serve, which is an ideal way to disrupt opponents’ rhythm and force them into making weak returns.
Service is an integral component of doubles badminton, and both players should possess a variety of serves ranging from short to flick serves and defensive serves.
Players should be able to switch back and forth seamlessly between defense and offense, which will allow them to cover all areas of the court as quickly as possible and quickly respond to defensive shots from opponents. It’s also vital that teammates communicate and support one another throughout a game.
Flick Serve
The flick serve may appear complex at first glance, but most badminton players can quickly pick it up once they have their backhand serve technique in place. It’s especially helpful in doubles games where players stand closer to the service line as it allows their team to attack from front without risking running into an opponent at the net.
Professional badminton players frequently employ this tactic and it can be very effective; often surprising your opponent and forcing them to make an error when returning your shot. However, it requires precision and judgment in order to execute successfully.
When employing a flick serve, it’s vital that the shuttlecock be hit high enough so it lands near the farthest back service line in your opponent’s court. This will give you an advantage of deep position but ensure it lands on their body with enough height above the net cord that it doesn’t fall short.
Step one of this strategy is establishing a ready stance that allows for optimal power and timing when attacking the shuttlecock. Most players stand with their non-racket leg forward with their racket resting against their front leg’s thigh; however, your readiness stance may differ depending on what shot type is being attempted.
Once you’re set for an attacking shot, ensure both of you are aware of where the shuttle is in the air – this will prevent both of you rushing at it simultaneously, potentially leading to collision.
When responding to high services, consider hitting it with a shallow half smash rather than full power smash. This will force your opponent to bend lower in order to intercept the shuttle, giving you an opportunity for powerful follow-through shots. Furthermore, target it towards either of your opponent’s weaker sides (forehand or backhand) in order to fatigue them quicker and increase mistakes from their part.
Long Serve
One of the keys to winning badminton doubles is having an effective service return. This crucial maneuver sets up rallies and empowers receiving teams, but mastering long serves takes practice, finesse, accuracy and strategy – such as playing to your opponent’s weak side (usually their backhand) so as to force weaker returns from them. To return long serves like a pro try playing your shuttle towards their weaker side – which usually corresponds with weaker returns from them.
When performing a long serve, make sure to strike it in front of your body to reduce its distance and make it more difficult for opponents to react quickly. Also when returning long serves it’s wise to use short steps as this helps maintain momentum and keeps your momentum alive – as well as prevent tiring out while trying to reach for the shuttle.
Last but not least, try striking the shuttle with a moderately light stroke. Overdoing it may result in errors; using light forces allows for better control over each shot when playing badminton doubles.
Be mindful of your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses in badminton doubles service returns by being aware of his/her favorite shots and planning accordingly. For instance, if they often play flat drives to the center, try smashing backhand smashes instead for maximum return with high returns!
To be successful at badminton doubles serve and return strategies, it is crucial to build up a repertoire. A variety of tactics will allow you to adapt quickly as your opponent attempts counterattack. Effective communication among partners as well as regular practice are both key elements for creating a winning doubles partnership.
Cross-Shot
Badminton doubles is a fast game and it is important to vary the pace and direction of your shots to confuse your opponent and keep them guessing. This strategy is used by experienced players with excellent footwork but beginners may use similar techniques too. By hitting corners of their court with tight net shots or drops and hitting multiple balls at them with various distances from various corners, increasing chances they will make mistakes or mishit the shuttlecock more often will increase.
Badminton players typically make use of attacking shot angles that are either straight, to the center, or cross-court for optimal success in attacking shots. When dropping shots it may be beneficial to hit your opponent from their side rather than directly at them; this makes it harder for them to reach early and leaves less time for counterattacks to form.
To successfully defend in doubles, it’s essential to keep the shuttlecock low. Doing this will prevent opponents from returning powerful drives and force them into playing lifts that may result in powerful smashes from you. In order to do this effectively, it’s necessary to read your opponent’s response quickly while moving with purpose around their court.
One effective strategy to do so is by rapidly hitting the shuttlecock towards a short service line. This gives your opponent very limited time to reach it and often leads to an immediate half smash.
An alternative strategy involves dropping slowly to one corner or side tramline of your opponent’s court, leaving them little time to reach for their shuttlecock and potentially leaving them vulnerable to cross-court net shots and pushes.
Jumping drops can be used to shock and surprise opponents. This is done by acting like you’re going to hit a normal jump smash, before switching into an unexpected drop shot shot instead. This tactic can work extremely effectively as a deception move that causes opponents to forget how best to defend, giving you greater chances at claiming a point victory.