Amanda Knapp
Badminton is a sport that can be played either in singles or doubles. In this article, we will be focusing on the rules of singles badminton. To start, the player who wins the coin toss can choose to either serve or pick a side. The server always starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. If the server has an odd number of points, they will serve from the left service court. The birdie, also known as the shuttlecock, must be hit below waist height, and players must wait for it to cross the net before playing a shot. A point is scored if the birdie hits the ground on the opponent's side of the court or if the opponent commits a fault. The first side to reach 21 points, with a two-point difference, wins the game, and a match typically consists of three games.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 |
| Court dimensions | 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide |
| Net height | 1.55m (5ft 1in) at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) in the middle |
| Service rules | Player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent’s side without touching the net or going out of bounds; served diagonally into the opponent’s service box; served from the right service court when the server has an even number of points and from the left when they have an odd number of points |
| Scoring system | First side to 21 points wins a game; a point is scored on every serve and awarded to the side that wins the rally; a match consists of three games |
| Change of ends | After the first game and when one side reaches 11 points in the third game |
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What You'll Learn
Court dimensions: 13.41m x 5.18m
A badminton court for singles play measures 13.41 metres (44 feet) in length and 5.18 metres (17 feet) in width. The outer sidelines, sometimes called the "outer tramlines" or "doubles sidelines", run the full length of the court and are marked 5.18 metres (17 feet) apart. The inner sidelines, or "singles sidelines", are 0.46 metres (1.5 feet) inside the outer sidelines and define the width of the court for singles matches. Any shot that falls outside the inner sidelines is considered "out of play" in a singles match.
The baselines, or "singles back service lines", run the full width of the court at either end. If a shuttlecock lands beyond the baseline, it is out of play. During service, the shuttlecock must land within the singles sideline and the baseline on the opposite side of the court. For example, when serving from the right-hand side, the shuttlecock must travel diagonally over the net into the left-hand side of the opponent's court.
The service court is split by a centre line, with the short service line 1.98 metres (6.5 feet) from the net. The long service line is 0.72 metres (2.36 feet) in from the baseline. In singles, the shuttlecock must be served beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines.
The court has a total surface area of 69.46 square metres (748 square feet). The official distance that should be left as a "surround" or border to a badminton court is 2 feet (0.61 metres) around the perimeter.
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Serving rules: Serve diagonally, below waist height
Serving plays a crucial role in the game of badminton, and there are specific rules that govern how it should be executed. In badminton singles, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. Conversely, they serve from the left service court when they have an odd number of points. This alternating pattern ensures that players utilise the full court and creates strategic opportunities for both players.
The act of serving itself has several components. Firstly, the server must ensure that the shuttlecock, also known as the "birdie," is struck with their racket below waist height. This rule is crucial and is defined by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as having the entire shuttlecock below the server's waist at the moment of impact with the racket. The waist is considered an imaginary line drawn level with the server's lowest rib. This rule ensures that the serve is executed in a controlled manner and prevents excessive power generated from higher contact points.
Additionally, the server must aim to hit the shuttlecock diagonally into the opponent's service box. This diagonal serving rule encourages a back-and-forth exchange and adds a layer of strategy to the game. The shuttlecock should pass over the net without getting stuck or touching it and must land within the boundaries of the opponent's service box. The server must also maintain a continuous motion during the serve, without pausing or delaying excessively once both players are ready.
Proper footwork is also essential during the serve. The server must have some part of their feet in contact with the court surface, and their feet cannot touch any of the lines on the court. This rule promotes balance and stability during the serve and ensures that players use controlled movements. It's important to note that these serving rules apply to both singles and doubles matches, with slight variations in court dimensions and serving patterns in doubles play.
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Scoring: First to 21 points, best of three
Badminton is played in sets of 21 points, and matches are typically played as the best of three sets. This scoring system was introduced by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in 2006 and has been used in major competitions since then.
To win a badminton singles match, a player must be the first to reach 21 points and be ahead by at least a two-point margin. If the game reaches 29 points, the player who earns the 30th point wins the game. If both players have scored 29 points, the game continues until one player has a two-point lead.
In the past, players played to 15 points, and matches were the best of three sets. However, this changed due to the BWF's desire to improve the sport's appeal and presentation for television audiences. The longer rallies and increased opportunity for strategic play that come with a higher point limit are part of this appeal.
The scoring system in badminton can be a bit confusing at first, but it adds an exciting dimension to the game. The longer a player can prolong the game, the more opportunity they have to strategize and turn things around. This scoring system also adds an element of suspense, as a player must win by two clear points, which can lead to some very close finishes.
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Rally: Hit shuttlecock, it touches opponent's floor
A rally is a fundamental aspect of badminton, and it is defined as a series of shots exchanged between players until the shuttlecock touches the ground, hits the net, or goes out of the court's boundaries. A point is scored when a player wins a rally, and the winner of the rally serves to start the next point.
When the shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is hit during a rally, it must not touch any fixtures above the court, such as lights or basketball hoops. If it does, it is up to the tournament director or the home club to determine if it is considered a let or a fault.
The rally ends when the shuttlecock touches the ground in the opponent's court, including the lines, resulting in a point for the player who hit the shot. If the shuttlecock hits the net during the rally but still goes over and lands inside the opponent's court, the rally continues, and the player who hit the shot wins the point. However, if the shuttlecock hits the net and fails to cross to the opponent's side or lands outside the court's boundaries, the opponent wins the point.
In singles badminton, the court dimensions are 13.41m (44ft) in length and 5.18m (17ft) in width. The net stands at 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high in the middle. These dimensions ensure that players have sufficient space to engage in rallies and aim for their opponent's court without hitting the shuttlecock out of bounds.
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Faults: Hitting net, out of bounds, striking shuttlecock twice
Hitting a shot into the net is a fault in badminton, resulting in the player's opponent receiving the point. The shuttlecock must pass over the net and into the opponent's court to be considered legal. If the shuttlecock strikes the net but tumbles over into the opponent's court, it is still considered a fault if the player touches the net in the interval.
A shot that goes out of bounds is also a fault in badminton. The shuttlecock must land inside the court boundaries to be considered legal. If a shot lands outside the court, the opponent will receive the point.
Striking the shuttlecock twice, or a ''double-hit', is another type of fault in badminton. This occurs when a player hits the shuttlecock twice in succession or when teammates both make contact with the shuttlecock simultaneously. Hitting the shuttlecock more than once when it is on a player's side of the net is illegal and will result in a foul.
It is important to note that any contact between a player and the shuttlecock other than with their racket is also considered a fault. This includes contact with the player's body, clothing, or any other object. Stretching, warming up, and maintaining quick reflexes can help to prevent these types of contact fouls.
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Frequently asked questions
Two players compete against each other in a singles match.
For a singles match, a badminton court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m high (5ft) in the middle.
The server is determined by a coin toss. The player who serves first does so from the right service court. The server will continue to serve from the right every time they have an even number of points and will serve from the left when they have an odd number of points. Each player will retain serve as long as they keep winning points.
A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to whichever side wins the rally. A player wins a rally when they strike the shuttlecock, and it touches the floor of the opponent's side of the court or when the opponent commits a fault. A fault occurs when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or it lands outside the boundary of the court.
A badminton singles match is the best of three games. The first side to 21 points wins a game, but the game must be won by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first player to get their 30th point wins.
