Flick serve and third-shot attack

Setup

1. Two pairs in doubles serve and receive positions. Server (A1) behind the short service line; partner (A2) behind in a central base.
2. Receiver (B1) stands in the diagonal service court, pressing forward to attack low serves; B2 behind.
3. Use the doubles service court: short and wide, with the doubles long service line as the back limit.

How it runs

1. A1 serves from the right court on an even score and the left on an odd score, diagonally to the receiver.
2. Mostly low serves; A1 mixes in flick serves over B1 to the doubles long service line.
3. After a flick, A1 and A2 go side by side ready to defend. B1, moving backwards, often has to drop or clear.
4. Pair A attacks the return early: A1 takes a drop or weak reply at the net, A2 covers behind.
5. Play the rally out. Pair A serves 10 times in a row (keeping the even/odd court rule), counting rallies won, then the pairs swap.

Coaching points

• Identical stance, grip and backswing for the low and the flick; the change is a quick, short push from the wrist and fingers at contact.
• Flick to the back corners or straight at the receiver's racket shoulder, high enough to clear the reach but no higher.
• Use the flick when the receiver is crowding the front of the service court or rushing in early.
• After the flick, get the racket up and move into side-by-side defence straight away.
• Stay legal: whole shuttle below 1.15 m at impact, both feet stationary and on the floor until the serve is made. Check your competition's rules for serve height.

Common mistakes

• Flick swing is longer than the low serve, so the receiver reads it.
• Flick goes up slow and short, giving the receiver an easy smash.
• Flicking too often, so the receiver stops attacking the low serve and waits.
• Server watches the flick instead of moving into defence.