Forehand serves: the low serve and the flick serve
How the forehand low serve and the forehand flick serve share one start, what each is for, and practices that begin with dropping the shuttle into a tube.
What they are for
Two serves share the same forehand start. In the BWF Level 1 Coaches' Manual (2nd edition, 2017, module 7):
- The forehand low serve goes to the front of the opponent's service box, in the diagonally opposite box. It is used mainly in women's singles, to start the rally from a defensive or neutral position. Its aims are to restrict the opponent's chance to attack and to help create attacking chances for you.
- The forehand flick serve also starts the rally from a defensive or neutral situation. It is used mainly in women's singles, but can be used in any event. Its aim is to force the opponent backwards and off balance by making them believe you are going to serve low. In singles it can go to the back line.
The rules every serve must follow are in the serve: what makes it legal; the three serves are compared in three serves: short, flick and high. For the long forehand serve, see the forehand high serve.
Step by step
The same start for both. Stand sideways inside your service box with a basic grip. Hold the racket and the shuttle high, with your weight on the rear leg. In the backswing, start moving your weight forwards, drop the shuttle to the side and in front of you, lower the racket, bend the wrist and turn the forearm outwards.
Low serve, forward swing: swing the racket forwards, keep the wrist bent, strike the shuttle in front and to the side, and push through it. Follow-through: bring the racket back to the ready position.
Flick serve, forward swing: keep moving the weight onto the front foot and swing the racket forwards. Speed up the racket head by turning the forearm inwards and straightening the wrist. Strike hard through the shuttle, in front and to the side of the body. Follow-through: the momentum carries the racket through, high and long.
Why they feel hard, and what the manual suggests
Forehand serves are slightly harder than backhand serves, because you strike a shuttle that is dropping. The manual's answer:
- Use a basic grip and rest the shuttle on the strings, bending forward slightly. Make a short backswing by cocking the wrist, then push the shuttle (low serve) or flick it out of the hand (flick serve).
- In small teams (for example groups of three), each player holds a shuttle in the non-racket hand and waits behind the back line. In turn, each runs forward to a shuttle tube on the court and, standing upright, tries to drop the shuttle into it. A miss: pick it up and go to the back of the queue. When all the shuttles are in the tube, empty it and try to beat your team's score, until an agreed time.
- Put the two together, gradually dropping from further away, lengthening the swing and adding more weight transfer. For the low serve, the manual adds: push the rear hip forwards, then let the racket move forwards smoothly.
Target practices
- Low serve, no net: push the shuttle into targets placed four to six metres from the server.
- Low serve duel: two players on opposite sides of the net place a target near the front service line of their box and take turns, counting hits. After a set time such as three minutes, compare. If it is a draw, hit the shuttle in the air and the way it points decides the winner. Winners move up the hall, losers move down to a new opponent.
- Flick duel: the same game with the target near the rear service line.
- Games of only low or only flick serves: you may give two attempts, rotate the servers so everyone serves equally, and ask the receiver to stand and hold the racket differently, so the server has to choose where to place the serve (wide, to the centre, and so on).
Hint from the manual
Make your low and flick serves look the same, to confuse the opponent and force them off balance.
Limits
The manual gives no speed or height for either serve. Which one to choose depends on the player and the opponent, and the laws set the exact conditions for a legal serve. Stop if your wrist, elbow or shoulder hurts, and ask a qualified coach.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.