Serving Time Delay?

[Tyler]

When serving, is there a rule as to how fast you can serve?

My dad is infamous for serving pretty much immediately - he'll score a point then get the birdie and serve. He may take up to as much as a second to stop and 'pause', but it seems that even one second is much too fast - he always seems to get me (or my partner) off guard.

His partner is usually not prepared either. Is there a limit of time that he must obey before serving?

[gyang333]

no there is not. However, there is a maximum, once both sides are ready, the server must serve within 10 seconds I think or else you can request a line/serivce judge. But if your dad doesn't take his time, chances are that hs serve will be too short, or it will be high enough for you to jump at it and kill it. Or he will serve high and up, since this takes less accuracy, in which case you can cheat the position and stay further back.

[Tyler]

Hmm, good point, thanks.

Yeah.. I guess the way to combat it is to simply be alert and ready much more.

It's funny because I think it actually hurts his partner more than it does us... (he/she not being ready)

[lbtriggerman]

Heh. It's likely since if his partner isn't ready and you return the shuttlecock to him, instant score!

[johnnyk]

When your dad serves, is the head of his racket below his waist when he hits the birdie? That's one of the official rules. If he is serving above his waist, then the birdie will fly over almost in a straight line really fast.