Badminton Rules: A Beginner's Guide

how to play badminton rules and regulations

Badminton is a high-speed racquet 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, resulting in a game of four players. All matches are the best of three games, and players are required to change ends after the first game and, if needed, after the second game. The first side to reach 21 points wins, and a point is scored on every serve, awarded to whichever side wins the rally. A point is won if the shuttlecock hits the ground in the opponent's half of the court, and a point is lost if a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or it lands outside the court.

Characteristics Values
Number of players Singles: 2. Doubles: 4
Scoring First to 21 points wins. Best of three games. If the score is 20-20, the winner must win by 2 clear points.
Service 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. In doubles, the server starts on the right and alternates sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points.
Court size Singles: 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. Doubles: 6.1m (20ft) wide
Change of ends After the first game. After the second game if a third is required. During the third game when one side reaches 11 points.
Points Awarded when the shuttlecock touches the floor on the opponent's side or when the opponent commits a fault.
Faults Failing to hit the shuttlecock over the net; landing outside the court boundaries; hitting the net; passing through/under the net; striking the shuttlecock twice.

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Scoring system

Badminton is played in a best-of-three-games format. To win a game, a player or team must be the first to reach 21 points. If the game is tied at 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. If the game reaches 29-29, the first side to score 30 points wins.

A point is scored when the shuttlecock (also known as the birdie) lands inside the opponent's court. A point is also won if a returned shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court. The shuttlecock must be hit below waist height, with players serving diagonally into their opponent’s service box. The whole shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit by the server, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. It is not allowed to bounce.

At the beginning of the game, when the score is 0-0, or if the server's score is even, they will serve from the right service court. When the server's score is odd, they will serve from the left service court. After a point is won, the players will move to the opposite serving stations for the next point.

In singles, a badminton court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. The width extends to 6.1m (20ft) in doubles. The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high in the middle. A serve must pass the short service line, which is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net.

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Serving rules

Serving is a crucial part of a badminton player's gameplay. It can shape the entire match and is not just a formality. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) sets specific service rules to ensure fairness.

To serve, a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to their opponent's side. The shuttlecock must cross the net without getting stuck in it or exceeding the boundaries of the court. The entire shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court at the moment of being hit by the racket. This rule was introduced in 2018 to ensure fairness in high-level tournaments by limiting power and levelling the playing field. In non-BWF tournaments, players follow the traditional rule of hitting the shuttlecock below the waist.

The player must have some part of their feet in contact with the court surface when serving. They cannot move or lift either foot off the ground until the shuttlecock is struck. This rule applies to both the server and the receiver. The receiver must have both feet in contact with the ground until the shuttlecock is hit. Neither the server nor the receiver can have their feet touching any of the court lines. The players must remain stationary until the serve is made.

The server is determined by a coin toss, and whoever wins the point first becomes the server for the next point. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. The player serves from the left when they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the server starts on the right-hand side and keeps serving while alternating sides with their partner as long as they keep winning points.

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Court size

The badminton court is rectangular and marked out with 40mm wide lines, which are usually white or yellow. The court is divided into two equal halves by a net. The net measures 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the poles and is slightly lower in the centre at 1.52 metres (5 feet) high. The full length of the court is 13.4 metres (44 feet) and the width is 6.1 metres (20 feet) for doubles matches, and 5.18 metres (17 feet) for singles matches. The service courts are marked by a centre line that divides the width of the court, a short service line at a distance of 1.98 metres (6 feet 6 inches) from the net, and the outer side and back boundaries. In doubles, the service court is also marked by a long service line, which is 0.76 metres (2 feet 6 inches) from the back boundary.

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Player movement

Badminton can be played either as singles or doubles. In singles, there are two players competing against each other. In doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete, resulting in four players in the game. The players must remain stationary until the serve is made.

In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side whenever they have an even number of points. When a player has an odd number of points, they serve from the left. Each player continues to serve as long as they keep winning points.

In doubles, the server starts on the right-hand side and keeps serving, alternating sides with their partner, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins the point, they assume the serve. The player who did not initially serve will then serve once their side has won a point as the receiving side.

In singles, a badminton court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. The width extends to 6.1m (20ft) in doubles. Players are required to change ends under specific conditions. They should change ends at the conclusion of the first game and, if needed, at the end of the second game. In the third game, the change of ends occurs when one side reaches a score of 11 points.

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Shuttlecock faults

Out of Bounds

The shuttlecock must land within the court boundaries. If it lands outside these lines, it is considered a foul, and the opponent is awarded the point.

Improper Shuttlecock Contact

Players must only use their rackets to hit the shuttlecock. Any contact with other body parts, such as the hand, foot, or head, results in a fault. This includes accidental contact, such as the shuttlecock touching a player's clothing or body.

Service Faults

The serve is a critical aspect of badminton, and several faults can occur during this phase. Firstly, the shuttlecock must be hit with an upward motion below the waist. Serving above the waist or with a high toss is a fault. Secondly, the shuttlecock must be served to the opposite side of the opponent's court. Failing to do so is a service fault. Thirdly, the server must not step on or over the service box line, known as a foot fault.

Double Hit

Players must not hit the shuttlecock twice in a row, either by the same person or simultaneously by teammates. This is considered a double-hit foul, resulting in a point for the opponent.

Net Faults

While it is not always a fault, hitting the shuttlecock into the net results in losing the rally. Touching the net with the body, clothing, or racket during play is a fault, and the opponent is awarded the point.

Avoiding shuttlecock faults is crucial for fair play and ensuring a smooth game. Understanding and practising correct serving techniques, awareness of court boundaries, and quick reactions to avoid accidental contact with the shuttlecock can help prevent these faults.

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