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3:11 pm
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 10, 2010
Offline
Simon said:
“How much has toeing the line helped you guys ?
I've tried it and haven't really seen a lot of advantage apart from maybe intimidating the server.”
I have only really done this so far in 1 session with higher standard players than myself for 2 hours. It worked very well. On the lesser of the 3, it really unnerved him which gave me good chance to attack his low serves, and because I got back for his flick 9/10, he didn't know what to do. I smashed down about 6/10 of them
The 2 stronger men who are used to this were not phased by this but I was able to play my return early and do what I wanted with the shuttle better than standing a foot back. Also there flicks were better but I was able to return 8/10 of them with mostly clear to corner or a smash if it was short.
Its nice being in more controll though for me. If they serve low, Im in the optimal position to take the shuttle early & if you do, you have many options. Because I'm now fast enough to get back, I can clear the shuttle which puts us really back on evens or I can smash it down. Only problem with smash is it needs to be steep! Better players will step up and hit the flat smash down!
Im playing these men tonight and there will be other higher standard players there to practice this on. Looking forward to it.
8:44 am
February 15, 2011
Offline 
Guys
There are a couple of good reasons for toeing the line.
1) As you have said, intimidation. If you can put pressure on the server then they are in trouble because unles they can produce a consistently good serve, they know the point is lost.
2) This is the most important. By toeing the line you are giving yourself the greatest chance of playing a more attacking response to a good serve. This doesn't mean killing the shuttle, but placing or setting up a weaker return to give either you or your partner the opportunity of getting on the attack or finishing the point.
The other side to this arguement is this. If you stand a reasonable distance behind the line, then you are always on the defensive. Your return of a good serve will be struck below the net and therefore you are already slightly on the defensive by lifting the shuttle, even if this is a slight push to the net or mid court areas. There is no way you can meet a good serve whilst it is above net height if your stance is that little bit further back.
Consequently, this also changes your mindset in terms of possible aggressive attacking at the net versus defensive placement. Think about this carefully and what thoughts are going through your mind as you stand to receive.
If the server chooses to flick, then as long as you retrieve the shuttle, then you haven't lost the point. However, the first part of attack is to dominate the net and therefore you can't afford to give it away from a low serve.
I hope this makes sense and look forward to your views.
Paul
9:54 am
January 17, 2012
Offline I have been toeing the line for some time now.. it certainly works with the “intimidation”.. many a time the server will just mess up the serve entirely (usually into the net) as they try to get a good serve in …
Of course.. this works both ways unfortunately.. :–) some of my other club members seem to have started toeing the line against me now.. ( they never used to .. so I suspect they have noticed my improvements..) and serving against those that do this I am finding difficult.
My usual low serve always seemed to be reasonably good until this occured, now my opponents seem to be able to get to my serve shuttle and play an agressive return. My counter to this was flick serve which has worked well but I do not want to be predictable flick serve.. I need to work on improving my low serve.. any tips here ? I seem to have the accuracy to get it to drop into the front center point..
11:59 am
VIP Coaching Program Members
August 10, 2010
Offline 
TheodanUK, am currently having the same issue and its not technique, its in the head. If your service was fine when they stand back a foot but now only cause they are a foot forward, your serve is bad is definately mental. The technique is the same whether he is a foot infront of the service line!!!
I suggest you slow it down and talk your way through the serve. I rush my serve and hit the net because of this. So I count. I say to myself when I put the biride to the racket, “1,2,3, jus above the tape” and serve. So this stops me thinking “Oh crap, hes toeing the line!”
And practice. Get a friend and get him to toe the line and tell him all serves are low so attack away and just serve to him but take your time. Dont be rattling off serves like mad. Make it quality rather than quantity.
Hope this helps
9:35 pm
March 2, 2010
Offline Serving: Watch the master himself demonstrating the world famous “ED's bucket exercise” (
), but then with boxes from his sponsor: .
This you can train in your kitchen ! You won't sweat on the floor. I advise young folks to do this at home and to aim for the T. When they score 90% in the box, next thing I advise them is to get ready for the return after their service.
Receiving: I'm like 10cm behind the service line, else I'm too late for a flick. Standing a bit on your toes helps you get back really quickly. Don't forget Paul's tip to stick out your bum when moving backwords when “you're flicked” (
).
Cheers, ED
2:08 pm
May 25, 2010
Offline GingerPhil, you could also think about the flight path the shuttle is taking when you are serving. The flatter the serve, the easier it is for someone to do an agressive return. If the shuttle is more up and over then they will need to move closer to the net to hit it before the shuttle starts dropping down (as Paul said, once the shuttle starts dropping, this would then be more defensive).
It's difficult to explain, but all I can say is think about the flight path as well as getting the shuttle in. Also, some people toe the line and have their rackets way above there heads (almost pointing downwards, you know what I mean, there is always a tall person at every club that does this! ), if your serve starts going downwards as soon as it crosses the net, they are going to struggle to get a decent shot back as they have to move their racket from all the way “up there”, to all the way “down there”.
Anyway, that's just my 2p, and I'm only telling you these things as I don't play against you 
Also, I have had the same thing where a shot is working for you, like a return of serve, only for some weeks later, half the club are copying you! Annoying as this is, just remember, this means you are setting the standard! 
Badminton Gives Me A Purpose In Life – To Serve Others
I'd Rather Be Playing Badminton…………..
10:54 pm
September 9, 2012
Offline Peter Warman said:
GingerPhil, you could also think about the flight path the shuttle is taking when you are serving. The flatter the serve, the easier it is for someone to do an agressive return. If the shuttle is more up and over then they will need to move closer to the net to hit it before the shuttle starts dropping down (as Paul said, once the shuttle starts dropping, this would then be more defensive).
It’s difficult to explain, but all I can say is think about the flight path as well as getting the shuttle in. Also, some people toe the line and have their rackets way above there heads (almost pointing downwards, you know what I mean, there is always a tall person at every club that does this!
Anyway, that’s just my 2p, and I’m only telling you these things as I don’t play against you
Also, I have had the same thing where a shot is working for you, like a return of serve, only for some weeks later, half the club are copying you! Annoying as this is, just remember, this means you are setting the standard!
So what about the drive serve? The one that's flat and fast aimed at the recievers left shoulder in the right hand court? Given the new rules on racket shaft can be parallel to the ground it is like a bullet that can ace a reciever toeing the line! Not to mention the flat forhand drive to the rear T from the side tramlines, lets see you attack that as it crosses the net.
3:28 pm
February 15, 2011
Offline Great question!
If your stance is correct, then the drive serve can be reached. It catches most players that look like they're about to fall over. The drive is then an ideal serve to take the edge off their return.
If driving from tramlines, then positions need to be adjusted. Remember though, that if a server wishes to position themselves so far out in the tramlines, then the pressure is on their partner to cover virtually the whole court. With this in mind, a simple block to the net automatically places the serving pair on the defensive. So, in essence you have gained the advantage but not quite got the point.
Against lesser standard players, the drive serve from the tramslines is very effective. A good player will cope well with it and return it with change. However, a good drive serve is always good to have in your bag of tricks and apply sparingly to throw the returner off kilter a little.
Paul
10:00 am
March 2, 2011
Offline Last night I started toeing the serve line during a doubles and I can definitely say that my opponents were freaking out because of it. The server was intimidated and after killing a couple of serves, they all started flick serving which was pretty easily dealt with.
First, they had little experience with flick serves so a fair amount were outside the court and therefore an easy point for us.
The flick serve also gave me a lot of placing opportunities, I really felt like I had the initiative even when returning the flick with a clear.
My doubles partner got really frustrated with me though for some reason, I tried explaining my reasons for toeing the serve line but I think he really wasn't used to the change in play style.
10:51 pm
February 15, 2011
Offline Kerghan
First rule of playing doubles – you must communicate with each other really well.
Hopefully by now adjustments have been made and you are playing well together.
Congratulations on taking a chance to improve your game. Sometimes a bit of courage like this deserves to be rewarded.
Paul
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