Helena Frye
Badminton is a racquet sport that follows a set of rules, including those pertaining to serving. Unlike tennis, there are no second serves in badminton, and the serve must be hit underarm, with the shuttlecock below the waist of the server. The server must also stand diagonally opposite their opponent without touching the boundary lines. The rules of badminton have evolved over time, with changes introduced in 2006 to allow both players to score points during a rally, regardless of who served. Matches are typically played as best-of-three games, with each game played up to 21 points, and the winning side determined by a two-point margin or, in the event of a tie at 29 points, a sudden-death point. Understanding the rules of badminton is essential to prevent disputes and enhance the playing experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of serves allowed | 1 |
| Direction of serve | Diagonal to the opponent's half court |
| Serve style | Underarm |
| Racket and shaft direction | Downward |
| Shuttlecock position | Below waist level |
| Feet position | Both feet in contact with the ground |
| Foot movement | No foot movement allowed until the shuttlecock is struck |
| Foot placement | Feet cannot touch any court lines |
| Scoring system | Rally point system |
| Points to win | 21 points, with a two-point difference to win |
| Number of games | Best of three games |
| Tie-breaker | If tied at 29 points, the first to 30 points wins |
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What You'll Learn
There are no second serves in badminton
Unlike tennis, badminton does not allow for second serves. This means that if a player faults on their serve, they do not get another chance to serve and the point is awarded to their opponent.
The rules of badminton dictate that a point is scored if the serving side or the receiving side wins the rally. A rally is defined as a series of shots exchanged between either team until the shuttlecock touches the ground, hits the net, or goes out of the court's boundaries. The first side to reach 21 points, with a two-point difference, wins the game, and a match typically consists of three games.
The service itself must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line. This line is the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net. The serve must also be hit underarm, meaning the server's racket head and shaft must be angled in a downward direction, and the shuttle must be below the waist at contact. In elite BWF competitions, the shuttle must be below 1.15 meters from the floor when struck.
Both feet of the server should be in contact with the ground, and no part of the foot should be touching the service line or the court boundaries when serving. The service must also be delivered in a forward continuous motion, without any pauses during the serving action.
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The first to 21 points wins, but if it's 29-all, the 30th point wins
In badminton, matches are typically played as the best of three games, with the first player or team to reach 21 points declared the winner. This win condition, however, comes with a couple of caveats.
Firstly, if the game reaches 20-all, the winning player or team must achieve a two-point lead to secure victory. This means that a player or team can reach 21 points but still not win the game if their opponent manages to draw level at 21-all.
Secondly, in the event of a very closely contested match, if the game reaches 29-all, the player or team that scores the 30th point wins. This is a sudden-death scenario, and there is no requirement to maintain a two-point lead to win, as is the case at 20-all.
It is worth noting that badminton does not have the concept of second serves, unlike some other racquet sports such as tennis. A rally is won when the shuttle lands in the opponent's court, or if the opponent fails to return it within the court boundaries. Each rally awards a point to the winner, and the winner of the rally serves to start the next point.
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Matches are best of three games
Matches in badminton are played as the best of three games. To win a match, a player or team must win two games. Each game is played to 21 points, and a player or team must win by two clear points. For example, if the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side gains a two-point lead, such as 22-20.
If the score reaches 29-29, the game does not continue until one side has a two-point lead. Instead, a sudden-death point is played to determine the winner of that game.
The player or team that wins a rally adds a point to their score. They also get to serve first in the next game. The service rules in badminton are quite specific. The serve must be hit underarm, with the server's racket angled in a downward direction, and the shuttle must be below the waist when struck. The server's feet must be in contact with the ground, and no part of the foot should touch any lines or court boundaries. The serve must be a continuous forward motion with no undue delay once the server and receiver are ready.
The basic service rules dictate that the player who serves first does so from the right side of the service court. They continue to serve from the right side after gaining an even number of points. After winning an odd number of points, the serve comes from the left service court. In doubles, the receiving side alternates with each point, and no player on the receiving side receives two consecutive services in the same game.
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The shuttlecock should be below the waist when hit
The rules of badminton are quite different from those of tennis, and this is evident in the service rules. In badminton, there are no second serves, unlike in tennis. This means that players must be extra cautious and precise when serving, as they do not have another chance to correct their mistakes.
One of the critical aspects of a legal serve in badminton is the height of the shuttlecock in relation to the player's body. Specifically, the shuttlecock should be below the waist when hit during the service action. This rule ensures that the server does not gain an unfair advantage by hitting the shuttlecock from a higher position, which could generate more power and speed.
The rule specifies that the shuttlecock must be struck with the server's racket below the waist level. This means that the racket head and shaft must be angled in a downward direction, creating an underarm throwing action. This is in contrast to tennis, where serves are typically executed with an overhead motion.
It is worth noting that in elite Badminton World Federation (BWF) competitions, strict service rules are enforced. These competitions employ service judges and service height-measuring devices to ensure that the shuttlecock is below 1.15 metres from the floor when struck. This height restriction further emphasises the importance of keeping the shuttlecock below waist level during the serve.
By adhering to the rule of keeping the shuttlecock below the waist when hit, players ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game. This rule also adds a layer of complexity to the serving technique, requiring players to master the precise timing and movement needed to execute a successful underarm serve within the specified height limit.
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The serve must be a continuous forward motion
Unlike tennis, badminton does not allow for second serves. The rules of serving in badminton are quite intricate and must be followed to avoid a fault being called. The first forward movement of the server's racket head should initiate the start of the service, and this service must be a continuous forward motion. This means that once the backswing begins, the server must continue forward without stopping or moving back and forth before striking the shuttle. The server must also ensure that there is no undue delay once both the server and receiver are ready.
The server's entire racket, including the racket head and shaft, must be angled in a downward direction, and the shuttle must be struck below the waist. The waist is considered an imaginary line at the level of the server's lowest rib. Both feet should be in contact with the ground, and no part of the foot should be touching the service line or court boundaries during the serve. The server must also stand on their side of the court diagonally opposite the receiver without touching the boundary lines.
In doubles matches, the service rules are slightly more complicated. The player who serves first does so from the right side of the service court and continues to do so each time their side wins a point, forming an even number of points. If an odd number of points is reached, the serve comes from the left service court. The receiver must stand on the alternate service court, and the pair who wins the point becomes the server for the subsequent point.
It is important to note that the rules of badminton may vary slightly depending on the specific organisation or tournament, and it is always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the specific rules being followed before stepping onto the court.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are no second serves in badminton.
A point is awarded if the serving side or the receiving side wins the rally. A rally is won when the shuttle lands in the opponent's court or if the opponent is unable to return the shuttle over the net and within the court boundaries.
The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court and over their front service line. The server must also ensure there is no undue delay once both the server and receiver are ready. The serve must be hit underarm, meaning the server's racket head and shaft must be angled in a downward direction, and the shuttle must be below the waist at contact.
A match consists of the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. If the game is tied at 20-20, a player must win by two clear points. If the game reaches 29-29, the first player to score the 30th point wins.
The player who serves first shall do so from the right side of the service court and continue to do so each time after gathering an even number of points. A serve after winning an odd number of points shall come from the left service court. The receiver must stand on the alternate service court, and the pair that wins the point shall become the server for the subsequent point.
