Racket preparation and grip for returning serve

Racket preparation

Put the racket forwards

Hold the racket out in front of you, rather than keeping it close to your body.

By putting the racket forwards, you can reach the low serve earlier, because you don’t need to waste time extending your arm. It also enourages you to use a shorter swing.

This is mainly important for doubles, because you’re standing closer to the front and need to take the shuttle earlier. In singles, it’s less of an issue, as you are standing farther back. Many top singles players keep their rackets relatively close to their body — certainly when you compare them to the top doubles players.

Put the left arm forwards too

The left arm should go forwards together with the racket arm, to improve your balance: the left arm balances the right arm.

Don’t allow your left arm to dangle at your side! This reduces your balance.

But stay relaxed!

Despite what I just said about putting both arms forwards, you should be careful not to overdo it and lock out your joints.

Maintain a relaxed bend at your elbows and shoulders. The arm position should feel comfortable, and not as though you’re straining to reach forwards.

Keep your wrist in a relaxed, neutral position, so that it’s in line with your arm. Do not bend your wrist, as this introduces tension into your arm and makes it harder to change grip.

Keep the racket head about net height

The racket head should be about the same height as the net. This is only an approximate guideline; it could be slightly higher or lower. An alternative guideline is to keep the racket approximately head height — i.e. it should not be down by your waist, and it should not be a metre above your head.

The racket head should also be above the level of your wrist. This means your arm is pointing at least slightly upwards, and your wrist is in a neutral position.

This preparation is mainly important for when you return a low serve, as it allows you to take the racket directly to the shuttle and play flat or downwards returns.

If the racket is too low, then you’ll meet the low serve by bringing your racket upwards to the shuttle. This means you will likely play a lift or a bad net shot.

If the racket is too high (way above your head), then you will meet the low serve by bringing it downwards to the shuttle. Against a good low serve, this means you will likely hit the shuttle into the net.

When your racket is too low or too high, you are also vulnerable to a drive serve (especially in doubles). The drive serve will pass you about head height, and you won’t have time to adjust your racket height. If you keep the racket about net height instead, you can cope with drive serves better.

Grip

When you’re getting ready for the serve, hold your racket in a relaxed basic grip or bevel grip. These grips help you change quickly to other grips, which is especially important when returning a low serve.

The ability to change grip is important, because it allows you to cope with different serves and play a wide range of returns. Limiting yourself to a single grip makes you vulnerable to certain serves, and reduces your options of return.

For singles, use a long grip, as this lets you reach farther. In doubles, I recommend a short grip.

Although most professional doubles players use a short grip, some use a long or medium grip. This is especially common for the man in mixed doubles, who will frequently retreat quickly to the rearcourt after returning the serve.