
The rules of badminton state that the aim is to hit the shuttlecock with your racket so that it passes over the net and lands inside your opponent’s half of the court. If the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary line, the point is given to the receiver. The rules for the back line differ depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played. In singles, the back tramlines are in, while the outer tramlines are out. In doubles, the outer tramlines are in, but during the serve, the back tramlines are out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Game type | Singles, Doubles |
| Boundary line | Single's boundary line is "thin and long"; Double's boundary line is "short and wide" during serving |
| Rules | If the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary line, the receiver gets the point; if it lands on the line, the hitter gets the point |
| Court | The badminton court has a centre line extending from the back to the net, and a front service line that forms a T-shape with the centre line |
| Service courts | Singles service court is a box made from four lines; doubles service courts are wider and shorter |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

The shuttlecock must touch the line to be in
The aim of badminton is to hit the shuttlecock, or shuttle, with your racket so that it passes over the net and lands inside your opponent’s half of the court. If the shuttlecock lands inside the boundary lines of your opponent's court, you win the rally. The number of rallies you need to win varies, but if you win enough, you win the match.
There are two types of boundary lines: the serving line and the boundary line. In singles, the boundary line is called "thin and long". This means that the boundary of the court is the inner line at the side, and the outer line at the end. If the shuttlecock lands on the outer side tramlines, it is out. However, if the shuttlecock touches the line, it is in.
In doubles, the boundary line is called "short and wide". This is only true when serving. If the shuttlecock hits outside the inner line but inside the outer line, the serve counts and a point is awarded to the server. Once the serve ends, the boundary becomes the full court, which means the whole outer line is the boundary.
In both singles and doubles, the shuttlecock must touch the line to be in.
Best Places to Buy New Balance Basketball Shoes
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The back trams are out on serve in doubles
In badminton, there are two types of boundary lines: the serving line and the boundary line. When the shuttlecock falls outside the boundary line, the receiver gets a point. However, if it touches the line, it is still considered in, and the point is given to the hitter.
The rules regarding the boundary line differ depending on whether it is a singles or doubles game. In singles, the boundary line is called "thin and long". This means that the inner line at the side and the outer line at the end are considered out. In doubles, the boundary line during the serve is called "short and wide". The inner line is considered in, and the outer line is considered out. Specifically, in doubles, the back trams are out on serve. This means that if the shuttlecock falls outside the inner line but inside the outer back tram line, the serve is considered out.
After the serve in doubles, the boundary becomes the full court, meaning the whole outer line is the boundary. This rule also applies to mixed doubles. It is important to note that tramlines can refer to either back tram lines or side tram lines. Ideally, players should stay close to the service line to be better positioned to reach the shuttlecock before it reaches the tramlines.
Badminton Boundaries: Foot Faults and Their Consequences
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The boundary line for singles is 'thin and long'
The aim of badminton is to hit the shuttlecock, or shuttle, with your racket so that it passes over the net and lands inside your opponent's half of the court. There are two types of boundary lines in badminton: the serving line and the boundary line. When the shuttlecock falls outside the boundary line, the point is awarded to the receiver. When it lands on the line, the hitter gets the point.
The boundary line for singles is thin and long. This means that the boundary of the court is the inner line at the side and the outer line at the end. If the shuttlecock hits outside the boundary, it is considered out, and the receiver gets the point.
The doubles game has a boundary line that is short and wide during the serve. If the shuttlecock hits outside the inner line but inside the outer line, the serve is considered in, and the point is given to the server. After the serve, the boundary becomes the full court, which means the whole outer line is the boundary.
It's important to note that the badminton court has a centre line that extends from the back to near the net. This line is met by another line at the front of the court, called the front service line. These two lines form a T-shape where they meet. The service courts for singles and doubles are also different, with the doubles court being wider and shorter.
Gildersleeve's Basketball Legacy in Mattituck: A Tribute
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$17.09 $17.99

The boundary line for doubles is 'short and wide' during serves
The aim of badminton is to hit the shuttlecock, or shuttle, with your racket so that it passes over the net and lands inside your opponent’s half of the court. The lines surrounding the court are called the boundary lines. If the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary, the point is given to the receiver.
The boundary line for doubles is called "short and wide" during serves. This means that if the shuttlecock hits outside the inner line but inside the outer line, the serve counts and the point is given to the server. However, if it hits outside the outer line, the serve is considered out.
After the serve, the boundary line for doubles becomes the full court, meaning the whole outer line is the boundary. This is different from the singles game, where the boundary line is "thin and long", consisting of the inner side line and the outer back line.
It is important to note that the doubles service courts are wider because they use the outside sideline, and shorter because they use the inside back line. This inside back line is specifically for doubles service and nothing else.
Basketball Size for Young Players: 2nd and 3rd Graders
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The centre line extends from the back to near the net
The centre line in badminton is a key component of the court layout, and it plays a crucial role in defining the boundaries and rules of the game. This line stretches from the back of the court, extending from the baseline, towards the net, and it serves as a reference point for various rules and strategies in badminton.
In the context of the badminton court, the centre line acts as a dividing marker, separating the court into left and right service courts. This line is of particular importance during the serve, as it helps determine the valid serving areas. For instance, in doubles matches, the left and right service courts are each 3.05m (10ft) wide and 3.96m (13ft) long, running from the short service line to the doubles back service line on the same side.
The centre line also influences the positioning of players during the serve. In men's doubles, for example, it is a common strategy for the non-receiving player to stand near the centre line, close to their partner who is receiving the serve. This positioning allows them to quickly cover different areas of the court and prepare for potential returns.
Additionally, the centre line helps define the boundaries for "in" or valid shots. In doubles matches, any shot that lands inside the outer sidelines, also known as the "doubles sidelines" or "outer tramlines," is considered valid. These sidelines run parallel to each other and are marked 5.18m (17ft) apart, extending from the front to the back of the court.
It's worth noting that the rules regarding the centre line and boundaries can vary slightly between singles and doubles matches. In singles, the back tramlines are considered "in," while in doubles, they are "out" during the serve and "in" after the serve. These variations add strategic depth to the game and emphasise the importance of understanding the court layout and line markings.
Basketball's Olympic History: When Men's Game Joined Olympics
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary line, it is considered out.
In singles, the boundary line is called "thin and long", and the outer line at the end is considered out. In doubles, the boundary line is called "short and wide", and the outer side line is considered in.
If the shuttlecock lands on the line, it is considered in, and the point is given to the hitter.
The objective of badminton is to hit the shuttlecock with your racket so that it passes over the net and lands inside your opponent's half of the court.











































