Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a racket sport that can be played as singles or doubles. The rules for singles and doubles matches differ slightly, and there are also variations depending on the level of play, such as in elite BWF competitions. The court boundaries for singles and doubles matches are different, with the court being thinner for singles and using the full width for doubles. In addition, the service rules differ between singles and doubles, with the server starting from the right service court in singles and specific rules regarding serving in doubles to ensure that each player in the pair gets to serve.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | Singles: 2; Doubles: 4 |
| Scoring system | Matches are the best of 3 games to 21 points. Games must be won by two clear points, but if the score reaches 29-29, a sudden death point is played to determine the winner. |
| Court boundaries | Singles: the court is thinner, with the wide, outside tramlines out of bounds; Doubles: the court is full width and the tramlines are in. |
| Service rules | The shuttlecock must be served diagonally into the opponent's service box and below waist height. The server must keep both feet in contact with the floor and not touch the service line or court boundaries. |
| Faults | If the shuttlecock hits the net or passes through/under it, or if a player strikes it twice, a fault is called and the point is awarded to the opponent. Touching the net with the body or racket also results in a fault. |
| Equipment | The shuttlecock is cone-shaped, made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. It is 62-70mm long and weighs 4.74-5.5g. |
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Scoring system
Badminton matches are typically played as the best of three games, with each game lasting until a player or team reaches 21 points. A two-point advantage is required to win a game; if the score reaches 29-29, a sudden-death point decides the winner. Each player or pair must win by two games to win the match.
In singles, the server starts from the right service court when they have an even number of points and from the left when they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the players or teams switch sides when one player or team scores 11 points in the third game.
The server must always serve diagonally to the opponent's half court, over the front service line. The serve must be made underarm, with the shuttlecock struck below waist height. The server's feet must be in contact with the floor, and no part of the foot should touch any boundary lines. If the serve hits the net but still travels over, play continues. However, if the shuttlecock strikes any fixtures above the court, such as lights or basketball hoops, it is up to the tournament director to determine a let or fault.
A point is conceded if a shot goes outside the court boundaries, if the shuttlecock hits the net or passes through it, if a player strikes it twice, or if they touch the net or the shuttlecock before it has crossed the net.
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Serving rules
Serving is a crucial part of a badminton player's gameplay. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has laid down several rules to ensure fairness in the sport.
To begin with, the player who serves first in a match is determined by a coin toss. The basic rule is that the player serves from the right service court when they have an even number of points and from the left service court when they have an odd number of points. This rule applies to both singles and doubles matches. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and serves from that side every time they have an even number of points. In doubles, the basic service rules remain the same, but the court dimensions are different. The service court is 3.96m (13ft) long and 2.59m (8.5ft) wide, with a doubles service line 0.76m (2.5ft) in from the baseline.
The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, must be hit below waist height, and the entire shuttlecock should be below 1.15m (3.77ft) from the court's surface when struck. This rule was introduced in 2018 to ensure fairness in high-level tournaments by limiting the power of the serve. The server must also ensure that the shuttlecock crosses the net and lands within the boundaries of the opponent's side of the court without touching the net or going out of bounds.
Additionally, there are rules regarding the serving action. The BWF Laws of the Game state that "neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once the server and receiver are ready". This means that the server cannot take an excessive amount of time between the first forward movement of the racket and striking the shuttlecock. The receiver must also have both feet in contact with the ground until the shuttle is struck. Distracting the opponent during the serve is illegal.
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Court boundaries
The badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. The full width of the court is 6.1 metres (20 feet), and the full length is 13.4 metres (44 feet). The width is reduced to 5.18 metres (17 feet) for singles matches. The net should be 1.55 metres high. The lines marking out the court should be easily distinguishable and preferably coloured white or yellow. All the lines form part of the area they define.
The service courts are marked by a centre line dividing the width of the court, by a short service line at a distance of 1.98 metres (6 feet 6 inches) from the net, and by the outer side and back boundaries. In singles, the court is thinner, with the wide, outside 'tramlines' out of bounds. In doubles, the court is full width, and these tramlines are in bounds. The service court is also marked by a long service line, which is 0.76 metres (2 feet 6 inches) from the back boundary. In doubles, the service court is extended to the sidelines, and players may serve from there as long as they do not stand on the outer sideline.
The server and receiver must stand within diagonally opposite service courts without touching the boundary lines. The other two players may stand wherever they wish, as long as they do not block the vision of the server or receiver. The server must hit the shuttlecock so that it passes over the short service line on the opponent's court, or it will count as a fault. If the shuttlecock strikes any other fixtures above the court, it is up to the home club or tournament director to determine whether this counts as a fault or a let.
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Equipment
Badminton is a racket sport that can be played either as singles or doubles. In singles, there are two players competing against each other, and in doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players. The equipment used in badminton includes:
Rackets
Rackets are an essential piece of equipment in badminton. They are used by players to hit the shuttlecock back and forth across the net. Badminton rackets are typically made of lightweight materials such as graphite or aluminium and have a string bed with a grid pattern. The choice of racket can vary depending on a player's skill level and preferences.
Shuttlecocks (Birdie)
The shuttlecock, also known as the "birdie," is the projectile used in badminton. It is a cone-shaped object formed using feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The shuttlecock's unique shape allows it to fly cork-first when struck and maintains this orientation until it is hit again. The feathers or synthetic skirt create drag, slowing the shuttlecock's flight and causing it to fall in an arc. The choice of feather or synthetic shuttlecocks depends on playing conditions and preferences. Feather shuttlecocks are more traditional and offer a different flight path, while synthetic shuttlecocks are more durable and suitable for outdoor play.
Court and Net
The badminton court has specific dimensions and markings. For singles matches, the court is thinner, excluding the outer "tramlines." In contrast, for doubles matches, the full width of the court, including the tramlines, is in play. The net is suspended across the width of the court, dividing it into two halves. The net's height and tension are standardized, and it is attached to two upright posts at each end of the court. The court boundaries, service lines, and centre line are clearly marked to indicate the playing area and the positions for serving and receiving.
Footwear and Clothing
Badminton players require suitable footwear and clothing to move swiftly and comfortably on the court. Badminton-specific shoes are designed with good grip and cushioning to support the quick lateral movements and jumps characteristic of the sport. They also have a smooth sole to allow for quick directional changes without sticking to the court surface. As for clothing, players typically wear lightweight and breathable sportswear that allows for a full range of motion. This includes shirts, shorts or skirts, and appropriate sports socks.
Other Accessories
There are also various other accessories and equipment used in badminton. This includes items such as grip tape and overgrips for rackets, which help players maintain a secure hold on their rackets during play. Wristbands and headbands are often used to absorb sweat and prevent it from affecting a player's grip or vision. Some players may also use sports towels and sports drinks to stay hydrated and wipe off sweat during matches or practice sessions.
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Doubles vs singles
Badminton can be played in singles or doubles formats. In singles, two players play against each other, whereas, in doubles, two teams of two players compete. The rules for singles and doubles are largely the same, but there are some key differences, especially in the service rules.
In both formats, the server and receiver must stand on diagonally opposite sides of the court without touching the boundary lines. The server must always serve diagonally into their opponent's service box and hit the shuttlecock from below waist height. The serve must be an underarm strike, with the racket making first contact with the shuttlecock's base, not its feathered top.
However, in doubles, there is only one serve per side. If the serving team loses a point, the service passes to the other team. Players do not switch to their new service courts until after they have won a point. Serving in doubles can be tricky, and any delay at the start may be viewed as an excessive delay, resulting in a fault called by the umpire.
Another difference is in the scoring rules. In singles, when the server's score is even, they serve from the right service court, and when it is odd, they serve from the left. In doubles, the team keeps serving from the right side as long as they keep scoring points, switching to the left side when they lose a point.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton can be played as singles or doubles. In singles, two players compete against each other, whereas in doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players. The aim is to score points by hitting a shuttlecock, also known as a birdie, back and forth over a net. A point is conceded if a shot goes outside the court boundaries, if the shuttlecock hits the net or passes through/under it, or if a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racket.
Yes, there are some differences in the rules for singles and doubles badminton. The court boundaries differ, with the court being thinner for singles and full width for doubles. The service rules also differ, with the server in singles starting from the right service court when they have an even number of points and serving from the left when they have an odd number of points. In doubles, players or teams switch sides on the court if the first player or team scores 11 points in the third game.
Matches are typically played as the best of 3 games to 21 points, with a point awarded to the winner of each rally. Games must be won by two clear points, but if the score reaches 29-29, a sudden death point is played to determine the winner.
