Helena Frye
Badminton is a high-speed racket sport with a unique set of rules. Matches are typically played as the best of three games, with each game played until a player or team reaches 21 points. A point is awarded to the winner of each rally, and the winner of the previous rally serves at the start of the next point. There are several rules that govern how a player or team can serve in badminton, such as the requirement for both feet to be in contact with the floor when striking the shuttlecock, and the prohibition on touching any court lines during the serve. The shuttlecock must also be struck below a certain height, and the serve must be one continuous motion without any pauses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times a player can serve | Not specified, but the first player or team to serve is determined by a coin toss and the winner of the coin toss can choose to serve first or receive first |
| Number of players | Singles or doubles |
| Court boundaries for singles | Thinner court, with the wide, outside 'tramlines' out of bounds |
| Court boundaries for doubles | Full-width court, with the rear 'tramlines' out of bounds until the serve is returned |
| Shuttlecock height | Must be struck below 1.15 meters (3.77 feet) from the court's surface |
| Toss | It is legal to toss the shuttlecock a little into the air (below chest level) and hit it only below the last rib |
| Time limit | No official time limit on how long a player can take to make a serve |
| Foot placement | Both feet must be in contact with the floor when striking the shuttle, and cannot be touching any of the court lines |
| Striking | Must strike the cork, not the feather |
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What You'll Learn
The first serve is determined by a coin toss
The first serve in badminton is a crucial moment, and it's determined by a coin toss. This is how it works: the players conduct a coin toss, and the winner of that toss gets to choose between two categories: service and court ends. It's a big decision moment and can set the tone for the match.
If the winner of the coin toss chooses the service category, they have two options: they can decide to serve first or receive first. This is an important strategic choice as it determines who will start the game with the advantage of serving. Serving first can be a great opportunity to gain an early lead and set the pace of the game.
On the other hand, if the winner selects the court ends category, they get to choose which side of the court to start playing from. This decision can be influenced by various factors, such as lighting, court conditions, or personal preferences. Some players might have a preferred side that they feel gives them a slight advantage or aligns better with their playing style.
It's worth noting that in casual play, a shuttlecock toss is sometimes used instead of a coin toss. This involves hitting the shuttlecock straight up into the air, and the winner is determined by the direction in which the base of the shuttlecock is pointing. This method adds a fun and unique twist to deciding the first serve.
Once the first serve is determined, the game begins! Badminton matches are typically played as the best of three games, with each game going up to 21 points. It's important to remember that games must be won by two clear points, creating an exciting finish if the score reaches 29-29, resulting in a sudden-death point to decide the winner.
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No time limit, but no undue delay
While there is no official time limit on how long a player can take to make a serve in badminton, players are expected to adhere to the rule of "no undue delay" once the server and receiver are ready. This means that while you can take your time to serve, you should not intentionally delay the game or frustrate your opponent.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) Laws of Badminton 9.1.1 state that "neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once the server and receiver are ready." This rule ensures that the game flows smoothly and that players do not gain an unfair advantage by intentionally stalling.
It's worth noting that the interpretation of "undue delay" may vary depending on the context and level of competition. In casual games, players may be more lenient, while in competitive tournaments, the expectation is to maintain a steady pace. Umpires or tournament directors may enforce this rule and determine when a player has caused undue delay.
To avoid causing undue delay, players should aim to serve without unnecessary pauses or excessive time between their serving actions. A continuous motion is required once the backswing begins, and stopping or moving backwards and forwards multiple times before striking the shuttlecock is considered an illegal serve. Additionally, players should be mindful of their positioning and strategic planning before starting their serving action.
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Feet positioning rules
To start, it's important to note that there is no official time limit on how long a player can take to make a serve. However, players can be faulted for taking too long. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) rules state that "neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once the server and receiver are ready".
Now, let's dive into the feet positioning rules for serving in badminton:
Firstly, the server must position their feet without touching any court lines. The server can stand anywhere within their half of the court, including the tramlines, as long as they do not touch any lines or step outside the playing court. This rule applies to both the serving and receiving players.
Secondly, the server must maintain a stable stance with their feet positioned comfortably apart. A basic ready position involves a stance that is slightly wider than shoulder-width, with the knees slightly bent and the weight shifted forward onto the balls of the toes. This forward shift in weight helps to ensure the server is ready to move quickly after the serve.
Thirdly, the foot positioning may vary depending on the type of serve and the player's dominant hand. For a backhand serve, the dominant foot is placed forward. This position allows the player to move forward towards the net more easily. In doubles, some players opt for a square stance with both feet parallel, allowing them to quickly move sideways to cut off returns.
Additionally, in doubles, right-handed players often keep their left foot forward when serving from the left side of the court and their right foot forward when serving from the right side. This positioning helps maintain balance and avoids exposing one side of the body.
Lastly, it is important to note that the feet must remain in contact with the ground during the serve. Neither the server nor the receiver is permitted to lift or move their feet until the shuttle has been struck. This rule ensures that players do not gain an unfair advantage through additional movement.
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Shuttlecock height rules
There are several rules pertaining to the height of the shuttlecock during a badminton match. Firstly, the shuttlecock should always be hit from below the waist during the serve. Secondly, the shuttlecock must pass over the net, except when the opponent returns it. In this case, if the opponent hits the shuttlecock and it catches the tramline down the same side, it is considered a fault, even if the shot lands inside the court. This scenario is, however, rarely seen in practice.
It is important to note that the shuttlecock cannot have a curved trajectory due to its inability to spin on its horizontal axis. The only possibility of a curved trajectory is due to drift, which occurs when the shuttlecock is hit much higher than the net.
During the game, the shuttlecock should not be hit around the net posts. This is because, unlike tennis or table tennis balls, shuttlecocks cannot spin on their horizontal axis and therefore cannot curve around the net posts.
Additionally, during the serve, players should not touch any of the court lines until the server strikes the shuttlecock. A point is added to a player's score when they win a rally. A rally is won when a player strikes 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 when it lands outside the court boundaries.
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Service court rules
Badminton matches are typically played as the best of three games, with each game played 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. A point is awarded to the player or team that wins the rally, and the winner of a point serves to start the next point.
The first player or team to serve is determined by a coin toss conducted by the umpire. The winner of the coin toss can choose to serve first or receive first, as well as which side of the court to start play. In doubles, either player on the serving team may serve first, and either player on the receiving team may receive first. In casual play, a shuttlecock toss is often used instead of a coin toss, with the winning player or team being the one the shuttlecock's base is pointing towards after it has been hit straight up into the air.
During service, the server and receiver must stand at diagonally opposite sides of the court without touching the boundary lines. The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line (the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net). 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. In elite BWF competition, the shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the floor when struck.
In singles, the court boundaries are thinner, with the wide, outside 'tramlines' out of bounds. In doubles, the court is full width and these tramlines are in bounds. During service in doubles, the rear tramlines at the back of the court are out of bounds until the serve is returned. Once the service is returned, the whole court is in bounds. If the shuttle lands on the line, it is considered in. A rally is won when the shuttle lands in the opponent's court or if the opponent is unable to return the shuttle back over the net and inside the court boundaries.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no limit to the number of times a player can serve in badminton as long as they keep winning the point. If a player loses a rally, the serve goes to the opponent.
The first player or team to serve is chosen by a coin toss conducted by the umpire. The winner of the toss can choose to serve first or receive first.
Both feet must be in contact with the floor when striking the shuttle, and your feet must not be touching any court lines. You must strike the cork, not the feathers, of the shuttlecock. The whole shuttle must be below 1.15 meters from the surface of the court when struck.
No, there is no official time limit for serving in badminton. However, players can be faulted for taking too long if they cause an "undue delay".
Examples of illegal serves include stopping at the backswing and then moving forward, and moving forward and backward multiple times before striking the shuttle. Touching the net with your racket or body while the shuttle is in play is also a fault.
