the s-serve is that technique where you hit the feather first and make the shuttle fly like crazy right? i heard that it's banned.. so.. i was just wonderin.. if i hit the feather of the shuttle while i'm returning it to my opponent.. just like how you hit it with the s-serve.. is it still considered a fault? from what i've researched.. the s-serve was banned.. not the uhh.. s-return?
I believe in play, hitting the feather is allowed. Mostly, such will happen during tight net rallies (brush return), or sometimes a slice shot. It's pretty much impossible to do a s-return, if you are NOT extremely close to the net. The cork is much heavier than the feather skirt, therefore, mostly you will see the cork coming to you, before the skirt. Therefore, if you want to return it to another side, you will hit the cork, instead of feather.
