Badminton · Level 2: Elementary · Sub-level 2.3
Serving and Receiving
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown
The backhand low serve is the standard short serve: the server stands near the front, holds the shuttle out close to the strings and uses a short, relaxed thumb grip and a compact push. A good one clears the tape closely and drops near the front line, denying the receiver an attacking return. The forehand high serve pushes a singles opponent back and drops nearly straight down near the back line, which is hard to time. The flick is made to look like the low serve but goes just over the receiver's reach, and the drive serve travels flat and quick at the body or backhand, a surprise that loses its effect if used often.
Low serves dominate doubles, where a high serve is easily smashed; women's singles often uses high serves and men's singles more low ones. The flight of every serve must be upward from the racket. Singles receivers stand in the middle of the box to cover both lengths, while doubles receivers crowd the front with a high racket to attack a low serve, at the risk of leaving space for the flick. A serve that floats above the tape can be pushed or killed downward; one below it calls for a net shot.
The facts below cover each serve, serving in singles and doubles, receiving stances, attacking the low serve, returning the high serve and serving practice.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1The backhand low serveTake a test
Standing near the front gives the shortest route over the net.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The shuttle is held out in front, close to the strings.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A short, relaxed thumb grip gives control.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The low serve uses a short, compact push.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A good low serve clears the tape closely and drops near the front line.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Keeping the shuttle low denies an attacking return.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Servers raise the racket to meet a quick return.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Grip, set, push, ready.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Up just enough to clear the tape, then down.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Close to the front line, racket in front: the backhand low serve.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 2The forehand high serveTake a test
The high serve pushes a singles opponent back.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A good high serve drops steeply near the back line.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Singles servers stand a little further back than doubles servers.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
A high, deep serve drops nearly straight down, which is awkward to hit.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A vertical drop is harder to time and hit hard.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Body rotation and the forearm drive the racket up.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A short high serve invites a smash.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Set, backswing, drop and hit, follow through.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Steeply up, high over, then down at the back.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A full upward swing to a deep target is the high serve.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 3The flick serveTake a test
The manual says to make flick serves look like your low serve.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A flick sends the shuttle just over the receiver's reach.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Bending the wrist and rotating the forearm flick the shuttle out.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Flicks push the receiver back and break their rhythm.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A low flick sits in the receiver's reach.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
From deeper in the box, a longer hold helps the flick in singles.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A threat of the flick keeps the receiver honest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Same set-up, then a fast flick.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Low at the front, flick over the receiver, high at the back.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A serve flicked over a rushing receiver is the flick.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 4The drive serveTake a test
The drive serve travels flat and quick.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Driving at the body or backhand rushes the receiver.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Used often, it loses its surprise.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A flat serve that is read can be hit straight back.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Doubles players use the drive serve as a surprise.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The flight of a serve must be upward from the racket.
Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 9.1 · recall
A flat serve often comes back flat and fast.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Disguise, then push flat.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The low serve is slowest; the drive serve fastest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A flat, fast serve at the receiver is the drive serve.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 5Serving in singles and doublesTake a test
Low serves dominate doubles.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Women's singles often uses high serves; men's singles more low serves.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Strong smashers punish high serves, so low serves are common.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The doubles box ends at the doubles long service line.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 1 · recall
A high serve in doubles is easily smashed.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The partner stands behind, ready for a deep return.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Serves restrict the opponent's options.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Common in WS, less in MS, rare in MD.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Serve low, cover the net and the back, attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The partner covers the back while the server takes the front.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 6Receiving in singlesTake a test
Singles receivers stand in the middle of the box to cover low and high serves.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
Deep high serves are common in singles, so receivers stay further back.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Many singles receivers have the non-racket foot forward.
Source: General badminton reference · recall
From the back, overheads are the usual replies.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A raised racket allows a quick reaction.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Getting behind a high serve early allows a strong reply.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Low serves are returned with pushes, net shots or lifts.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Ready, read, move, hit.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Doubles receivers crowd the front; women's singles receivers stand furthest back for high serves.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Standing mid-box covers short and deep serves.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 7Receiving in doublesTake a test
Doubles receivers crowd the front to attack low serves.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Receivers try to take the serve early and hit down.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A high racket lets the receiver attack the serve.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
From below the tape a hard hit would have to go up, so receivers play net shots or pushes.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Standing too close leaves space for the flick.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The partner covers the back while the receiver attacks.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Hitting down puts the serving pair on the defensive.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Close, read, step, kill.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Kills attack; lifts defend.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Close, attacking receiving stances belong to doubles.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 8Attacking the low serveTake a test
A serve that floats above the tape can be pushed or killed downward.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Pushes go flat into the midcourt gaps.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The gap behind the server and in front of the partner is a target.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A tight serve forces an upward reply.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Brushing across the shuttle lets a kill clear the net cleanly.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Constant rushing invites flicks and drives.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
When the shuttle is below the tape, a net shot is the safe choice.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
The higher the serve, the more attacking the reply.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Read, step, push, recover.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A rising serve can be attacked downward.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Test 9Returning the high serveTake a test
A deep clear resets the rally safely.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Smashing from deep leaves a long way back to the base.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A drop pulls the server to the net.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
From behind the shuttle, the receiver can hit it in front.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A deep serve pushes the receiver back.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Straight drops reach the net fastest.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied
Short clears invite attack.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
Read, move, disguise, drop.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Smash first, high clear last.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall
A soft overhead to the front is a drop shot.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Test 10Serving practiceTake a test
Targets near the short service line train accuracy.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The manual suggests two attempts as a learning aid only.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Repetition builds a reliable serve.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
A live receiver tests the serve.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
The manual suggests rotating serves for fairness.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
Servers learn to read and exploit the receiver's stance.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Tight and short is the aim.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall
From targets to pressure.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Serve, return, third shot, swap.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 3 · recall
Targets at the front train the low serve.
Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied
Questions people ask
- How do you play a backhand low serve?
- Stand near the front, hold the shuttle out close to the strings, and use a short, relaxed thumb grip with a compact push so it just clears the tape.
- What is a flick serve?
- A serve that looks like the low serve but is flicked just over the receiver's reach, pushing them back and breaking their rhythm.
- Why do doubles players serve low?
- A high serve in doubles is easily smashed. A low serve keeps the shuttle down and stops the receivers attacking.
- Where should you stand to receive serve in singles?
- In the middle of the box, so both low and high serves can be covered.
- How do you attack a low serve in doubles?
- Stand close with the racket high and take the serve early. If it floats above the tape, push or kill it downward; if it is below the tape, play a net shot or push.
- What is the best reply to a high serve in singles?
- A deep clear resets the rally safely and a drop pulls the server to the net. Smashing from deep leaves a long way back to the base.
- What is a drive serve?
- A flat, fast serve aimed at the receiver's body or backhand, used in doubles as a surprise.
Sources
BWF Coaches' Manual Level 1 (2017), BWF regulations and history, Olympedia; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category (Badminton - Laws of Badminton).
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 761
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 832
- General badminton reference3
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 32
- BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view), Law 9.11
- BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 11