There’s a certain type of serve in badminton that is usually performed to surprise or stun you, basically catch you off-guard and get an advantage in the ensuing rally. But you can ensure predictable results with your service return even while facing such an unpredictable serve. A split-second delay in your response or wrong anticipation for that matter can result in losing a point, or force you to play a weak stroke as a return. So here’s what you do instead.

There’s a cardinal rule in receiving such a serve. Never allow the shuttle to get behind your head and body. Also, avoid turning your head up and backwards as you follow the trajectory of the shuttle. You’ll never be able to keep pace with the shuttle that way. Instead, keep the shuttle in sight, right ahead of you throughout. The typical response to a flick serve is an attacking stroke like a smash, drop, or half smash.

To improve your doubles flick service return, you need to practise quite a bit, more so because it’s a surprise serve of sorts. There are two exercises that you can follow. In the first one, engage in a 1 on 1 practice with multiple shuttles. Your sparring partner tries out different serves, one shuttle at a time, and you practise returning the serves.

The second exercise helps improve the accuracy of your return, allowing you to give a targeted service return. Place boxes or mark all corner areas near the net and rear court. You service returns should fall in the boxes or the areas marked. The more you practise this, the better you’ll get at hitting a targeted service return, every single time!

If you’ve been reading this blog regularly, congratulations on having come this far along in your training. The next and final post will cover flat parallel shots in badminton. They restrict the opponent from going into attack mode. Keep reading and complete your learning of the various techniques and strokes in the sport of badminton.