Hello guys! Almost every source of information about badminton I could find said that after a flick serve players should get into defensive side-by-side formation. And for a while I've been using this pattern. But nowadays I more an more see that players do not get into the side-by-side formation after the flick serve - a player who servers stays at the net no matter whether it's straight(racket-hand-side) or wide(non-racket-hand side) flick server. I'd only seen it a couple of times when after a straight flick serve players got into a side-by-side formation out of many matches I saw.
It's all down to how good the flick serve becomes and reading the game. Example aim to be in defense formation but if the serve looks good and the shuttle drops below net level before he returns it then stay in attacking formation. If the shuttle goes really far behind him and he is playing overhead still I might stay in the attacking formation. If they are on it quick and behind the shuttle you better go get back and into defensive formation, quick.
Haha yeah, and if your flick is still even worse than that and don't have time to duck behind the net make sure you cover your face with your racket.
They are pro. Here is one example out of many: [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=9m2s [2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=10m46s . This is the only time when the Korean players get into side-by-side formation. The only reason I see why is because LYD server to the racket-hand side of Cai Yun [3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=14m43s [4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=18m02s [5] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=26m14s But I also noticed that some lower-ranked players do try to get into the side-by-side formation. [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th575asl9zE&t=9m7s But not always as well.
But those are pro. Their flicks rarely can be bad, but still they stay at the net. Looks like it's quite opposite. The flick is good and a player stays at the net in anticipation of a drop shot to kill... Trying to find a reasonable explanation...
They are pro. Here is one example out of many: [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=9m2s [2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=10m46s . This is the only time when the Korean players get into side-by-side formation. The only reason I see why is because LYD server to the racket-hand side of Cai Yun [3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=14m43s [4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=18m02s [5] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaU8EubGd4&t=26m14s But I also noticed that some lower-ranked players do try to get into the side-by-side formation. [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th575asl9zE&t=9m7s But not always as well.
for the pros. if you go back in time, the Indonesians have been doing that for years. but sometimes, esp the male pros, their mind and body works in so much vastly superior ways than us, it is not easy to understand/imitate. or even perhaps they have done so much video analysis they already know what their opponents are going to do.
Those are very good flick serve. The receiver had to take the shot behind them and would not be able to return any power shot. The server squatting low and looking through the net for any drop/light drive shot while partner who had already position himself/herself earlier at centre of court should be able to retrieve shots that pass the squatting partner unless he/she is slow or dreaming. If the flick shot did not put the opponent in any difficult position in the first place the server squating would be asking for trouble. Side by side formation is correct and if both are near/or at centre position, would be able to intercept steep return easier than standing towards the back line. I would occasionally take a step forward to counter a smash with a drive but if the shot return is away from my forehand I do get caught and block was all I can do but that's the chance you have to take to turn defence into an attack. Try it out and let us know your experience from it.
If you pay attention to these top level matches, a lot of time a flick serve would be called "fault" by service judge. Plus players do need to worry about giving away attacks from 1st shot. The result is that they're used only sparingly. On the contrary, these same players have very good low serves. To get a jump on the serves, the receivers need to be very aggressive and time/jump on the serves. In addition to the quality of the flick serves pointed out, I think such aggression, as well as the infrequent occurrence of the flick serves that make them dangerous, and the servers may be able to get away if/when they choose to use it (without being called).