Since 2 years back I have taken up badminton again and is working with a private trainer to improve all areas of my game. I used to play in my teens 20 years ago. I play 3-4 times per week. I am having troubles hitting a consistent long high serve in singles and it is costing me too many missed points. The bad serves are a) very high, but too short, or b) too long. Normally I do not have a problem with the direction or generating the power. I worked with a coach who told me to avoid moving my body weight forward so much, as a cure against too long serves. This has help me reduce the number of long serves out of the court, but I still need an advice of how to get rid of the very high, but short serves. For the last copule of weeks I have hit high serves once a week for 45 min, but I cannot get the feeling for this. I have tried hitting with a long stroke and with a short wristy stroke. I have tried to keep my arm straight and hit closer and further away from the body, but I cannot get any consistency. During the games, where the serve really sucks, I have to rely on my short serves. But some opponents are really quick at pushing it just above my reach into my deep backhand and putting me on the defence. Appreciate any advice. Thanks / Jens
i think you need to work on your technique i have this sort of problems too, my friend told me that i accidentally sliced during serving making it high but short
I also have this problem, so what me and my friend did for a while is put birdie tubes in a corner of the back alley and just start hitting. It's much easier to visualize a target point on the court and letting your body act then trying to focus on muscle strength at every point of your stroke. I have also found that it helps regularly change your grip along with holding the racket the sme way each time. It might also help to hit clears with somebody for 30ish min and then working on serves.
You are probably not hitting the shuttle from far enough in front of your body. This would cause your hitting action to be cramped, and you would have to hit the shuttle slightly too early in your swing. Try focusing on the shuttle drop: drop it so that you will hit the shuttle in front and to the side of your body, allowing you room for a comfortable swing.
And remember to hold the shuttle in a different way than in doubles... Hold it with the thumb and the other fingers from "outside", sorry for my bad english... The shuttle has to point straight to the ground... If you hold it like in double and the shuttle is tilting or slanting?! Don't know the right word again... So if you let loose or unhand the shuttle, it will "trundle" and this could cause your problems, because then you always will hit the shuttle in a different way.
assuming you have the right technique, it's easy. for me, i had the same problem, always too long or too short and that was me being scared of hitting it out and losing the point straight away so i'd hit it with less power. there's a much easier way. my coach simply said, "aim for a point at the ceiling, near the end of the opponents court, and try to hit the shuttle to that point." this is very good as if you hit it high enough, it drops vertical and rarely ever goes got. if it goes out, keep aiming higher and higher. this way, the shuttle drops on top of them and so when they contact the shuttle, it is with the feathers and the cork, making the shuttle lose more speed. also, it's harder to judge and i've aced a few players, who aren't amatuers, by hitting it so high they play the shot well before the shuttle reaches them. so aim high!!!! lol
It is very difficult to explain the proper way to serve high in singles. It is much better to watch a video demonstration. A picture is worth a thousand words. For the video I highy recommend the 3 dvd Badminton coaching clinic by Zhao Jian Hua and his co-coach.
lol yeah. true true true. and like i say...if you're afraid of hitting it out. hit it up up up and up lol
One of the exercises the Chinese teach students to improve their singles high serve is to ask them to hit the shuttle towards the ceiling repeatedly. The shuttle will fall vertically, quite similar to a high serve in singles.
Jian Hua training video Thanks I found the video at http://www.bvid.net/video/Badminton_Instructional_Video_by_Zhao_JianHua_2.wmv It has some detailed instructions about the high serve. Immediately, I noticed I have to correct my stance
Seeing I've been known to hit the roofs on a couple of the private clubs, my high serve is very high and deep. The key for me is to start with my raquet way up and behind me - my arm almost extended straight so I have a long consistent swing. I let my arm motion carry most of the swing and snap my wrist at the very end to get the last bit of height and angle. Since moving to rally point, I tend to be less aggressive with trying to hit the corners for cheap points and go more for consistent high and deep.
Something I find helpful (which I believe is helpful for backhand serving as well) is to find a routine and stick with it. For example, I try to position my leading foot when I serve in relatively the same spot every time and have my racquet starting position at the same place. This was a tip some coach gave me.
I know this sounds stupid lol..... but the way i got better at serving was from watching pros like Lin Dan on the internet or TV and then copying ... sounds stupid but it worked for me....
Result after first practice session Today, I got a chance to practice some of your advice on the court. I focused no 3 things: 1. Correct my stance, so my shoulders are perpendicular to the net. Before my shoulder had a 60 dgr angle towards the net. With the new stance, I found it easier to execute a powerful swing. Especially the directional control improved. 2. Drop the shuttle 30cm in front of my left knee (I am right handed) and to the side. I did not notice any immediate effect from this yet, but it felt right. 3. Hit the shuttle high towards the ceiling. I definitely feel that the corrections helped me, so I will continue to practice them. / Jens
Results after 3rd practice Continued with standing with shoulders perpendicular to the net and hit in front of the knee. I get great height and it is so much easier to control the length. I still have some practice to do, but the number of really high and short serves have been significantly reduced. Thanks for all your advice. I will keep practicing.
the best long serve would be very high and deep, so the shuttle falls verticly. you have probably notice when the shuttle reachs its highest or near highest point it will fall verticly. the technique i use is to swing forward with your arm towards the shuttle the flick your wrist up and forward at the last second... try using your wrist more.
