
Badminton doubles is a fun and dynamic way to play the sport. It involves four players, two on each team, and is played on a court with two service courts on each side, separated by a center line. The rules are similar to singles badminton, but with some key differences. For instance, only one player per team is allowed to hit the shuttle, and players must be strategic about their positioning on the court. Communication between partners is also key to success in doubles badminton. In this article, we will cover the rules, strategies, and techniques for teaching and playing badminton doubles effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 4 (2 vs 2) |
| Service rules | Serve diagonally to the player on the opposing team |
| Court | Wider and shorter than singles service courts |
| Court lines | Center line |
| Service courts | Two service courts on each side, separated by a center line |
| Serving | Serve from the right service court when the team's score is even and from the left service court when the score is odd |
| Footwork | Stand with legs shoulder-width apart, with the dominant foot back and near the center line |
| Grip | Place thumb behind the handle, with only the pad of the thumb touching the handle |
| Communication | Maintain an open line of communication with your partner to be aware of their position on the court and prevent both partners from rushing towards the shuttle |
| Strategy | Make choices that improve opportunities for attacking shots, such as smashes and net kills |
| Formations | No ground rules on formations; adapt your position based on the situation to cover the court effectively |
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What You'll Learn

Service rules and how to serve a forehand shot
Service Rules
Before getting into the specifics of serving a forehand shot, it's important to understand the basic service rules in badminton doubles. Here are the key service rules to keep in mind:
- Court Positioning: In doubles, each side has two service courts separated by a center line, making four service courts in total. The server must stand behind the service line within their designated service court without obstructing the serve.
- Shuttlecock Height: Introduced in 2018, the service height rule ensures fairness in high-level tournaments. The shuttlecock must be struck below 1.15 meters (3.77 feet) from the court's surface. In non-BWF tournaments or casual games, players typically follow the traditional rule of hitting the shuttle below the waist.
- Serving Order: In doubles, one player serves to the opposing team. The team that wins a point serves for the next point, alternating between right and left service courts depending on their score.
- Footwork: When serving or receiving a serve, the player's feet should not touch any of the court lines.
- Net Contact: It is a violation to touch the net with your body or racket before or during the serve.
- Distractions: Distracting the opponent during their serve is illegal.
How to Serve a Forehand Shot
Now, let's break down the steps to execute a forehand shot serve in badminton doubles:
- Grip: Hold the racket with your dominant hand, placing your thumb behind the handle so that only the pad of your thumb touches it. Ensure a tight grip.
- Stance: Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart near the center line. Your dominant foot should be positioned slightly behind you to generate momentum for the shot.
- Shuttle Approach: As the shuttle approaches, make sure your racket is up and ready to strike. A short swing is preferable to avoid accidentally hitting the net or the shuttlecock too hard.
- Striking the Shuttle: Using an underhand stroke, hit the bottom of the shuttlecock with your racket below your waist. Your arm should cross your body and end near your opposite shoulder during the follow-through.
- Aim: The basic rule for serving in doubles is to aim diagonally towards the court that is diagonal from your position. For short serves, use a flat trajectory to force your opponent to return high. For long serves, hit the shuttle high towards the backline, making your opponent move back.
- Communication: In doubles, remember to communicate with your partner. Be aware of each other's positions on the court to avoid collisions and to coordinate your strategy effectively.
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Court lines and formations
- The centre line: This line runs perpendicular to the net and down the middle of each side. It separates the two service boxes.
- The doubles side lines: These are the outermost lines that run perpendicular to the net.
- The short service line: This line is closest to the net and runs parallel to it, covering the width of the court.
- The doubles long service line: This is the second-to-last line near the back of the court, parallel to the net.
When serving, the server and receiver must be inside the appropriate service box, with their partners anywhere on the court. The server must serve diagonally to the opponent's court. For example, if serving from the left service court, the shuttle must be hit to the opponent's right service court. It is important that the server's foot does not touch any of the court lines during the serve.
There are two basic formations in doubles badminton: attacking and defensive. In an attacking formation, one player stands in front of their partner, with the server usually taking the front position. The player in front is known as the "setter" and is responsible for securing the net position and intercepting short defences. The player at the back, known as the "attacker", plays an important role in penetrating the opponent's defences with powerful shots.
In a defensive formation, both players stand side by side to cover the full width of the court. This formation is used when executing a high lift or high clear. Good communication is vital in doubles badminton to prevent injuries and accidents, and to ensure both players are aware of each other's positions on the court.
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Rally strategies
A good rally starts with a good serve. A short serve is often a better option as it sets up your partner for an attack. You can also try a long serve, hitting the shuttle high towards the backline, forcing your opponent to move back to return the shot. When serving, remember to aim diagonally towards the court that is opposite you. The basic service rules dictate that when a team's score is even, they serve from the right service court, and when odd, they serve from the left.
Communication with your partner is vital. Be aware of each other's positioning on the court at all times. This prevents you from colliding and getting in each other's way. Good communication also ensures you don't both rush towards the shuttle at the same time.
In terms of positioning, there are no ground rules in doubles, but the best teams usually don't have fixed positions. You and your partner should be prepared to play at both ends of the court, covering the front, mid, and back areas. If you have an advantage at the front court, try to hit a clear to the back court or a slice or drop shot, so your opponent has no option but to return with a lift, setting up your partner for powerful smashes.
Remember, all your shot choices should ultimately be guided by the principle of attack.
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Communication and positioning with your partner
Communication and positioning are key aspects of playing badminton doubles. The name doubles implies partnership, so it's important to maintain open communication with your partner. Always be aware of your partner's positioning on the court to avoid any mishits or collisions. Good communication will also prevent both partners from rushing towards the shuttle at the same time.
When playing doubles, it is important to understand the different playing formations and strategies to win rallies. Doubles positioning is about how you and your partner cover the court together. It is common to hear players say they will play sides, or front and back, but with an understanding of basic strategy, purposeful decisions can be made about where to stand. For example, if you have an advantage at the front of the court, but are being pushed back, try to hit a clear to the backcourt, or a slice or drop shot, so your opponent has no option but to return with a lift, at which point your partner can take over with smashes.
Communication and positioning go hand in hand. By communicating your positioning and intentions, you can create opportunities for your partner to attack. For example, a short serve sets up your partner for an attack. Similarly, a good drive and flick serve can be used to set up your partner for an attack, although opponents may catch on to this tactic over time.
It is also important to remember that only one player on a team is allowed to hit the shuttle. If both players touch the shuttle with their rackets, the team gives away a point. This means that communication and positioning are crucial to ensure both players are not trying to hit the shuttle at the same time.
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Rules: faults, double hits, and fouls
When teaching doubles in badminton, it is important to familiarise your students with the rules of the game, including faults, double hits, and fouls. Here is some content that you can use as a guide for teaching these rules:
Faults
Faults in badminton can result in losing a point or service. Service faults, for instance, occur when a player fails to execute their serve correctly. This could be due to improper technique, such as not hitting the shuttlecock below the waist or not using an upward motion. It can also occur if the player serves to the wrong side of the opponent's court. To avoid service faults, players should follow through on their serves without hesitation and ensure they only swing at the shuttlecock once.
Double Hits
Double hits are considered illegal in badminton. A double hit occurs when both teammates make contact with the shuttlecock simultaneously. Players should avoid hitting the shuttlecock more than once when it is on their side of the net. If a double hit occurs, the opposing team is awarded a point.
Fouls
Fouls can also result in losing a point or service. One type of foul is a net foul, which occurs when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net during their serve or return. Additionally, players should avoid touching the net with any part of their body or racket, as this will result in a foul. To prevent contact fouls, players should maintain flexibility and quick reflexes by stretching and warming up properly before a game.
It is important for students to understand these rules and their implications to play effectively and fairly. By following the guidelines for serving, hitting the shuttlecock, and avoiding fouls, players can improve their skills and strategy in doubles badminton.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton doubles is played with two players per team, positioned on opposite sides of the net. Only one player per team is allowed to hit the shuttlecock during a rally. The service and receiving courts are specific, alternating between right and left service courts depending on the team's score.
Stand near the centre line with your legs shoulder-width apart and your dominant foot back. Use an underhand stroke to hit the shuttlecock below your waist, aiming diagonally towards the opposing court. For short serves, keep the trajectory flat, and for long serves, hit high towards the backline.
Doubles service courts are wider and shorter than singles courts. The rules for serving and receiving are also different, with specific service courts depending on the score. In doubles, there is more emphasis on communication and coordination with your partner.
Communication is key in doubles. Discuss positioning with your partner to cover the court effectively. Make choices that improve your opportunities for attacking shots, especially smashes and net kills. Focus on serving techniques and vary your serves to keep your opponents guessing.
As a front player, you can be more aggressive at the net. Utilise a variety of serves, such as drive serves and flick serves, to catch your opponents off guard. Work on creating opportunities for your back player by hitting clears or lifts to set them up for smashes.





































