Sports
Chalk Talk: John He

How to serve excellence in a badminton match.

illustration of a man serving in badminton by Joel Kimmel
By Jeff Rice '03 Com

 

EXCELLENT SERVICE

The serve can dictate the tone of a badminton match, so it’s important for skilled and backyard players alike to be proficient—and versatile. John He, the vice president of the Penn State Badminton Club, breaks down what goes into a successful serve, and when and how to change it up. 

 

TRUST THE THUMB

The backhand flick serve starts with the thumb vertical on the grip of the racket, and the thumb and the wrist provide most of the power.

 

closeup of a hand dropping a birdie onto a badminton racket, illustration by Joel KimmelREADY TO FLY

Hold the birdie by the tip of a feather with the cork facing you, and don’t drop it until you’ve started your serve and the racket is about to hit the birdie.

 

STRIKE MATTERS

He recommends hitting the serve with the top 25% of the racket, which provides more control.

 

BONUS TIP FOR BEGINNERS

It might be more comfortable with an underhand serve, which is hit with a forehand grip. This type of shot is higher and easier to return but more predictable. (Overhand smash serves, in case you were wondering, are illegal.)