Shots & strokes · Serve · Beginner · ~8 min
Low serve
A short serve that skims just over the net and lands near the opponent's short service line. Standard in doubles, common in singles.
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More videos: Master Backhand Serve like a Pro (ViktorAxelsen) · Perfect Badminton Low Serve Every Time - BEST METHOD (Swift Badminton)
Prescription3 × 20 shuttles · rest 45 s
EquipmentRacket, Shuttles, Badminton court
ImpactLow
FormatSolo
Tactical use & trade-offs
Denies the receiver an easy attack. Too high and it gets rushed and killed; too short and it is a fault or into the net. Mix with the flick serve.
Technique
| Grip | Backhand grip: from the forehand grip, turn slightly and place the pad of the thumb flat on the wide back bevel (thumb grip). Relaxed until contact. (backhand low serve, most common) or a forehand grip for a forehand low serve. |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Backhand serve: right foot forward, close to the short service line, shuttle held by the feathers in front of the racket. |
| Contact point | Below the legal height, in front of the body. |
| Racket face | Slightly open, pushing gently forward. |
| Swing | Short, smooth push using the thumb; no wrist flick. |
| Body & footwork | Still and relaxed; feet stay in contact with the floor and stationary. |
| Follow-through | Short push toward the target; racket comes up ready for the return. |
Coaching cues
- Skim the tape
- Smooth push, same every time
Common errors
- Shuttle rising high over the net
- Jerky motion (also a fault risk)
- Stopping or pausing in the swing
Practice
On your own: Serve a bucket into a towel target at the T; record hits out of attempts in Progress.
With a partner: Serve and third shot: partner rushes the serve if it is high.
Volume: 3–5 × 20 serves.
Safety
- Stop if you feel sharp pain, dizziness, chest pain or unusual breathlessness.