{"id":3664,"date":"2025-05-14T15:01:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T19:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baddy.jastrid.ca\/?p=3664"},"modified":"2025-05-21T23:42:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T03:42:05","slug":"the-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baddy.jastrid.ca\/index.php\/2025\/05\/14\/the-start\/","title":{"rendered":"The Start"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“Karate begins and ends with respect. That respect begins with how you stand …”<\/p>\n\u2014 Gichin Funakoshi, Karate teacher<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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The Serve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every rally in badminton starts with the Serve<\/strong> and it is probably overlooked by many beginners. The serve will dictate how the rally with play out over the next few shots, a good serve can give you the attack or put you in the defence. So you need to pay close attention to how and where you serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most beginners pickup the shuttle and stand at the service line then start to think about where to serve. I believe you have to think ahead before you serve and you need to develop a routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You want to develop a routine so that you can reproduce the same quality<\/em><\/strong> serve every time. Each person is different, so their preparation\/routine will be different but here are some key point that I use in my routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Check where your opponents are standing<\/strong> – before you approach the service line.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Check if your partner is ready<\/strong> – maybe, signal them your intentions where you’re going to serve.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Calm your nerves<\/strong> – take time to approach the service line, it can be intimidating serving to an aggressive receiver.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Decide on your serve<\/strong> – before you setup your serve decide on where you want to serve<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Keep your Grip lose<\/strong> – if your nervous, you will naturally grip the racquet tighter and reduce the speed and fluidity of the motion – some people spin the racquet in there hand, like me, bad habit but it seems to work<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Ready your serving position<\/strong> – now at the service line, set your service stance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Execute your serve<\/strong> – focus on the serve and let your body do what you have practiced, probably thousands of times.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    After the Serve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    After serving, whether it was a good or bad serve, you need to get ready for the possible\/expected reply<\/em><\/strong>. You know what type and what location you served to and you should expect a specific reply so get in to the correct position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, if you served wide to the tram (outside corner) line you should expect a straight drive or drop return. So move from the centre serving position to the side to try to intercept that shot. Similarly, if you did a “flick” serve then you need to move back to cover the possible “smash” shot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Practice Practice Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The great thing about serving is that you don’t need a partner to practice. I remember doing this a lot when I was first learning. If you’re early at the gym, pickup a few shuttles and practice your serve. Try serving to particular spots in the court and see how consistent you can get (make it fun, make a game of it<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Doing this will build the muscle memory and will help you execute your serve, especially when you are under pressure from an aggressive opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tutorial on the backhand serve mechanics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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