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Return of serve

Badminton / Popular

Win the serve-receive battle in singles and doubles.

What coaches agree on

  • Stand as close to the service line as you can and take the shuttle as early as possible - a higher, earlier contact point lets you hit down and keep the initiative instead of lifting the shuttle back up.
  • Vary the placement, height, and pace of your returns, mixing in different corners and the occasional deceptive or trick shot, so your opponent can never settle into anticipating what is coming.
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  • Keep your racket preparation and body position looking the same for as long as possible, revealing your target only at the very last instant, so your opponent cannot read where the shuttle is going.
  • Treat your return as the first move in a short sequence - think two or three shots ahead about what it sets up rather than just playing the return in isolation.

Common mistakes

  • A soft, hesitant, or mistimed return that pops the shuttle upward instead of sending it flat or down hands your opponent the first attack of the rally.