Badminton doubles strategy

Good doubles pairs win by moving as a unit: attacking together when they can hit down, defending together when they can't. These are the positions and habits that make the biggest difference at club level.

The two formations

Attack: front and back

When your side can hit the shuttle downwards, one player goes to the back to smash and drop, and the other takes the front around the short service line. The front player covers the net and pounces on weak replies; the back player keeps the pressure on.

Defence: side by side

When your side has to lift the shuttle, split into two halves of the court, left and right, each covering the full length of your half. Stand a little back from the middle of your half, racket up and in front, ready for a smash.

The switch between these two shapes is the heart of doubles: you lift, you defend side by side; you hit down, you attack front and back.

Rotating between attack and defence

• From defence to attack: when one of you gets a chance to hit down, that player takes the back and the partner moves forward to the net.
• From attack to defence: when your side lifts, the front player drops back to one side and the back player comes forward to the other, so you end up side by side.
• Rotate in a circle rather than crossing paths, and keep the gap in the middle closed.

Where to aim

• The middle: a shot between two defenders causes hesitation and clashes of rackets.
• The body: smashes at the hip or racket-side shoulder are harder to return than smashes to open space.
• Down, not up: flat drives and net shots keep the attack; high clears give it away.
• The weaker receiver or the tired player: it's fair tactics, not rudeness.

Serve and return

• Serve short most of the time: a low serve that just clears the net and lands near the short service line is hard to attack.
• Mix in the flick serve, a quick high serve to the back, when the receiver crowds the net. Remember the doubles service court ends at the doubles long service line.
• Receive aggressively: stand close to the short service line, racket up, and attack any serve that floats above the net.
• After serving short, the server usually stays at the front and the partner covers the back, ready to attack.

Not sure who serves next or from which side? See the doubles serving rules.

Mixed doubles

A common mixed-doubles pattern puts one player mostly at the net and the other mostly at the back, rotating less than in level doubles. Play to your pair's strengths: the aim is still to hit down and cover the court together.

Communication

• Call early and clearly: "mine", "yours", "leave" (for a shuttle going out).
• Agree beforehand who takes shots down the middle, often the player with the forehand there.
• Keep it positive between points; a quick plan ("serve short to the left") beats a post-mortem.

Common beginner mistakes

• Both players rushing to the same shuttle, or both leaving it.
• Lifting from the net when a gentle net shot would do.
• Standing still after a shot instead of moving into formation.
• Staying side by side while your partner is attacking, which leaves the net empty.

Related guides

• Doubles serving rules
• Badminton rules for beginners
• Badminton court dimensions