Foot stance for doubles backhand serve?

**Mikael** · 08-13-2011, 06:26 AM

HI, just want to contribute (sorry I just scan some of the posts, not all of them)...

The choice of stance is primary about balance, both physical and mental, and we must accept that we are build different both physical and mental. Though the mental part should be relative easier to change than your body type. Find the balance.
Its a hard dillemma for trainers teaching a team of beginners, because you don't want them to be confused about too many things, by giving them all the options. Perhaps try this approx: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9-uIRZZR40

That said I recommend intermediate players to master at least 2 kind of stances. For shifting on a bad serving day, to make variation, perhaps not real deception, but still. Of course you can also shift to forehand serve.

I mostly serve racket foot and sometimes level. I could not vote, as I prefer the freedom to vary my stance.

BTW: when does the serve end, when can you say now the serving part is over?

**NanoBatien** · 01-23-2012, 04:54 AM

Originally Posted by Mikael

BTW: when does the serve end, when can you say now the serving part is over?

Maybe the instance the shuttle leaves and you split step?

**Tadashi** · 04-09-2012, 02:55 PM

haven't found many instances where the racket hand foot is not in front, see attachments

**peterr88** · 08-24-2012, 12:59 PM

This I know but the sequence of your 2-steps and 3-steps in your earlier post is simply impossible
http://www.centplay.com/affiliate/id_139/

**Thompson** · 09-11-2012, 06:41 AM

I used to have my racket foot in front.
But my new trainer told me it is better to have racket foot front when serving from the right and the left foot front when serving from the left. This has to do with weight distribution and how easy it is to move to the "largest opening" (right foot front it is easier to move a large distance to the left, left foot front it is easier to move a large distance to the right). I think this works really well, atleast for me, just a bit getting used to putting my left foot in front

But the jump I can make to my forehand side (right handed player when standing left) is way easier/stronger now!

**patrick2197** · 09-17-2012, 05:04 AM

I really think the dominant foot should always be forward...

**AimUk** · 10-15-2012, 07:16 AM

@Thompson

I like that suggestion, covering the biggest gap sounds good because you're already at the closest area so little to no footwork is required to hit early.

The way I think about it:

Racquet foot forward on serve naturally puts your racquet arm slightly further forward, enabling a shorter distance to the opposite side, so less reaction time for your opponent to receive serve.

It also puts you in a better position to take the shuttle early on the 3rd shot, if you end up taking it, because your racquet arm is infront of you (increased shot making mobility)

If you stand even, it means you have greater lateral movement speed (no need to change feet during splitstep), but it doesn't allow you to attack a net shot return as quickly.

Preparing yourself for more lateral movement on a 3rd shot in a rally suggests to me (just my opinion) that you are more likely to end up defending if you are at the forecourt.

Just my 2p, if anyone feels like putting me in my place and correcting me I'd quite happily hear it

**victorgabriel1** · 10-17-2012, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by Tadashi

haven't found many instances where the racket hand foot is not in front, see attachments

What are you talking about...in all those pictures, the player is standing with his racket foot in front, with the exeption of the 2nd one who is too blurry to say...first one is lefty left foot, second one is blurry, third one is right right, 4th one is lyd serving who serves right right last one is right right also....