
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock. Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with a racquet and landing it within the opponent's half of the court. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. The net is 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the edges and 1.524 metres (5 feet) high in the centre. If a let is called, the rally is stopped and replayed with no change to the score. This can occur due to unexpected disturbances, such as the shuttlecock landing on the court after being hit there by players on an adjacent court.
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What You'll Learn
- 'Let' calls: the rally restarts without changing the score due to issues like a stuck shuttlecock
- Faults: violations like out of bounds shuttlecocks or net touches result in points for opponents
- Service rules: the shuttlecock must be hit underarm and below the waist, with the racquet head pointing down
- Scoring: players score a point per serve, playing to 21 points and winning by two clear points
- Distractions: players must not deliberately distract their opponents during play

'Let' calls: the rally restarts without changing the score due to issues like a stuck shuttlecock
In badminton, a 'let' is a do-over that occurs due to some unexpected disturbance, such as a stuck shuttlecock. When a let is called, the rally is stopped and replayed without changing the score or serving positions. This means that if a player is not ready when their opponent serves, they should refrain from moving their racket or feet and let the shuttlecock drop to the floor. They can then request a let and the point will be replayed.
Lets are less common than faults and are typically called due to issues with the shuttlecock, such as it becoming stuck, disintegrating, or landing on the court after being hit there by players in an adjacent court. In small halls, the shuttlecock may also touch an overhead rail, resulting in a let. While the rules outline the reasons for calling a let, they do not specify how players should make line calls in casual games without an umpire. In such cases, it is generally agreed that the players with the best view of the shuttlecock's landing position should make the call. If there is a disagreement, players should reach a unanimous decision or play a let.
In officiated tournaments, an umpire is present to monitor the game and call faults if necessary. However, in club badminton, players must rely on their own judgment and etiquette to make the appropriate calls and ensure fair play. While calling a let is an option in certain situations, it should not be abused as a tactic to delay the game or gain an advantage. Overall, the rules regarding lets in badminton are designed to ensure that any unexpected disturbances, such as a stuck shuttlecock, do not unfairly impact the outcome of the game.
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Faults: violations like out of bounds shuttlecocks or net touches result in points for opponents
Badminton is a racquet sport played by striking a shuttlecock with a racquet and landing it within the opponent's court, within the set boundaries. The game involves two players (singles) or teams of two players (doubles) on each side. Points are scored by landing the shuttlecock within the opponent's court, with each side getting one strike of the shuttlecock before it passes over the net.
There are several faults in badminton that can result in points for the opposing side. These faults are violations of the rules of the game and can occur during serving or during a rally. For example, during serving, a player must serve to the opposite side of their opponent's court, and failure to do so is a fault, resulting in a point for the opponent. Another serving fault is when the server does not follow through with their serve, causing an unnecessary delay in the game.
Contact faults are another common type of fault in badminton. These occur when the shuttlecock comes into contact with any object or person other than the players' rackets. This means that players must ensure that the shuttlecock does not touch their clothing, shoes, or any other part of their body. Even if the shuttlecock makes it over the net, a contact fault will result in a point for the opponent. Players can avoid contact faults by remaining flexible and light on their feet, which can be achieved through proper stretching and warming up before a game.
Other violations that result in points for the opponent include double-hit faults, where a player hits the shuttlecock twice in a row, and net faults, where a player touches the net or net post with their racket, body, or clothing. It is important for players to know the rules and be aware of these violations to avoid giving away easy points to their opponents and to increase their chances of winning the game.
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Service rules: the shuttlecock must be hit underarm and below the waist, with the racquet head pointing down
The service is an important part of badminton, and mastering the rules is essential for success. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) sets specific service rules to ensure fairness in the game.
One such rule is that the shuttlecock must be hit underarm and below the waist, with the racquet head pointing down. This rule was introduced in 2018 as the service height rule to ensure fairness in high-level tournaments. It limits the power of the serve, levelling the playing field for all players.
In non-BWF tournaments or casual games, players traditionally follow the rule of hitting the shuttlecock below the waist. This means that the shuttlecock must be struck below 1.15 meters (3.77 feet) from the court's surface.
To execute a legal serve, the server must stand behind the service line within their designated service court. The shuttlecock must then be hit with an underarm motion, keeping the racquet head down, and ensuring it passes over the short service line on the opponent's court. If the shuttlecock does not pass the service line, it is considered a fault.
It is important to note that the server and receiver must remain within their service courts without touching the boundary lines until the server strikes the shuttlecock. This rule applies to both singles and doubles matches. In doubles, partners can position themselves strategically, but they must be careful not to obstruct the serve.
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Scoring: players score a point per serve, playing to 21 points and winning by two clear points
Scoring in badminton is done through a rally point system, where players score a point per serve and compete to reach 21 points. If the game is tied at 20-20, players must win by two clear points, meaning the winning score could be 22-20 or 25-23, for example. However, if the score reaches 29-29, the player or team that scores the 30th point wins the game.
In badminton, the serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the court surface when hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. After a point is won, players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point. It is important to note that the rules do not allow second serves. The server and receiver must change ends at the start of the second game and again in the third game when the leading player or pair reaches 11 points.
When the serving side wins a rally, the same player serves again but from the other service court. The serve remains with this player until the opponents win a rally and gain the serve. In doubles, each pair wins points together. The serving pair decides who serves first, and the receiving pair chooses who receives.
A 'let' may be called by the referee if an unforeseen or accidental issue arises, such as a shuttlecock landing on the court from another game or touching an overhead rail in small halls. In this case, the rally is stopped and replayed with no change to the score.
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Distractions: players must not deliberately distract their opponents during play
While the rules of badminton do not explicitly mention the term "do-overs", the concept of a "let" in the game is similar. A "let" is called when there is an unexpected disturbance, such as the shuttlecock landing on the court after being hit by players in an adjacent court, or the shuttlecock touching an overhead rail in small halls. In these instances, the rally is stopped and replayed with no change to the score.
One aspect of sportsmanship in badminton pertains to distractions. Players must not deliberately distract their opponents during play. This includes any actions or behaviours that may disrupt the focus or concentration of the opposing player or pair. Examples of deliberate distractions could include loud noises, sudden movements, or unsportsmanlike conduct. Such actions are considered unsportsmanlike and are not tolerated in the game.
Players are expected to maintain a certain level of decorum and respect for their opponents during the game. This includes refraining from any actions that could be considered unsportsmanlike or unfair. Good sportsmanship dictates that players should focus on their own performance and strategy, rather than attempting to hinder or disrupt their opponents through deliberate distractions.
Maintaining focus and concentration is crucial in badminton, as the game requires quick reactions and precise movements. Any deliberate attempt to distract an opponent can not only disrupt their concentration but also affect their performance and the outcome of the game. Therefore, players should be mindful of their behaviour and refrain from any actions that could be construed as deliberate distractions.
It is important to note that accidental distractions, such as a loud noise from the crowd or an unintentional movement, are typically not considered violations. However, players are expected to be mindful of their surroundings and minimize any potential disruptions to the extent possible. In the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship, players should strive to create a competitive environment that is free from deliberate distractions and advantages gained through unsportsmanlike conduct.
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Frequently asked questions
A fault is a violation of the rules that results in a point for the opponent. Common faults include serving above the waist, net faults, out of bounds, and double hits.
A "let" occurs when the rally stops and replays without changing the score. Common reasons for a let include the shuttlecock getting caught in the net or the server serving before the receiver is ready.
To win a match, a player or team must win two out of three games.
Players play each game to 21 points, and the winner must have a two-point lead unless the score reaches 20-20, in which case the game continues until there is a two-point lead or the score reaches 29-29, with the next point winning the game.
Individual singles matches require a total of six officials: an umpire and four line judges. Doubles matches require eight officials, with two additional line judges sometimes added.
























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