Saoirse Downs
Badminton is a popular racket sport played with a shuttlecock. The rules of badminton are mostly the same whether you're playing singles or doubles. However, there are some key differences between the two formats, including the number of players on the court, the court dimensions, and the service rules. The doubles court has wider sidelines than the singles court, and the service boxes are shorter. In this article, we will explore the differences in the service courts for singles and doubles badminton and discuss how these differences affect gameplay and strategy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full length of the court | 13.40–13.41 m (44 ft) |
| Full width of the court | 6.1 m (20 ft) |
| Width of the court for singles | 5.18 m (17 ft) |
| Height of the net from the surface of the court at the center | 1.52–1.524 m (5 ft) |
| Height of the net from the surface of the court over the sidelines | 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) |
| Distance of the short service line from the net | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) |
| Distance of the long service line from the back boundary | 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) |
| Length of each half of the court | 6.7 m (22 ft) |
| Length of each service court | 3.88 m (12.72 ft) |
| Width of each service court | 2.53 m (8.3 ft) |
| Height of the net posts | 1.55 m |
| Mesh size of the net | 15–20 mm |
| Scoring system | A point is scored if the serving side or the receiving side wins the rally. The first side to reach 21 points, with a two-point difference, wins the game, and a match consists of three games. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The service rules for doubles in badminton
The rules for serving in badminton doubles are quite distinct from singles, and they can be confusing for beginners. Firstly, the court size is different, with the doubles court being broader and shorter than the singles court. This means that players can stand closer to the net, which can make serving and returning more challenging.
To begin a game of badminton doubles, a toss decides which team will serve and which will receive first. The player who wants to serve first should stand on the right side of the court, with the receiver on the left. In subsequent serves, the serving order depends on the score. If the team that just won the point has an odd score, the player on the left serves; if the score is even, the player on the right serves. However, if a team scores consecutive points, they swap sides, and the player continues to serve.
It's important to note that players cannot serve or receive out of turn or from the wrong side of the court. The receivers generally stay in their positions during the serve, and they can only receive two consecutive services in a single game. The winning point is 21, with a minimum difference of 2 points, and three games are usually played, with sides being changed each time.
The type of serve can also impact the game. For example, the drive serve is the fastest type of serve, providing less reaction time for opponents. Understanding these service rules and techniques is essential for mastering the game of badminton doubles.
Basketball Shoes: Styling Your Wardrobe, Creating Looks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The width of the court for singles vs doubles
The width of a badminton court differs depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played. For singles, the court width is reduced to 17 feet (5.18 metres), whereas for doubles, the width is extended to 20 feet (6.1 metres). This means that for doubles, the court is expanded outwards by 1.5 feet (0.46 metres) on both sides.
The reason for this width difference between singles and doubles may be to compensate for the larger court size in doubles, resulting in an overall similar court area compared to singles. The increased width in doubles could also be to encourage more aggressive returns of serve, as players can stand closer to the net without worrying about flick shots.
The service court for doubles also includes a 'long service line', which is placed 2.5 feet (0.76 metres) in from the back boundary. This line is not required for singles matches.
It is worth noting that the posts for the net should be placed on the doubles sidelines, even when a singles match is being played. This ensures that the net remains taut and at the correct height, regardless of the number of players.
Nike Hyperdunk: Who Are These Basketball Shoes For?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The height of the net in singles and doubles
The height of the net is a central element of badminton, with players needing to clear the net with the shuttlecock to score points. The net spans the entire 6.1-metre (20-foot) width of the court, with a height of 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) at the edges. Due to sagging in the centre, the net is slightly lower in the middle, at 1.52 metres (5 feet). This height is the same for both singles and doubles matches, with the net placed over the doubles sidelines even when singles matches are played.
The rules of badminton were first codified in Great Britain, and the sport was originally played with teams of 1 to 4 players. However, it was soon established that games with two or four competitors worked best, and these formats have persisted to the present. The first badminton competition was held in 1899 and featured gentlemen's doubles, ladies' doubles, and mixed doubles. Singles competitions were added in 1900.
While the fundamentals of badminton are the same in singles and doubles, the tactics for winning in each format can differ. Doubles players must communicate and coordinate their moves, playing off their teammate's strengths and covering each other's weaknesses. Singles players, on the other hand, have the freedom to play more independently and use the power of distance or deception to gain an advantage.
The service rules also vary slightly between singles and doubles. In both formats, the player who serves first does so from the right side of the service court. In singles, the server continues to serve from the right side after scoring an even number of points and switches to the left side after an odd number of points. In doubles, the basic service rules are the same, but the rules regarding service rotation are more complicated.
Nike's Latest Basketball Shoes: Innovation on the Court
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Scoring a point in badminton
The rules for serving and scoring differ slightly between singles and doubles matches. In singles, the receiver's position is determined by the server's score. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. This means that both players will be in the even service courts or the odd service courts. The server must hit the shuttlecock underarm and below their waist, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The whole of the shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit.
In doubles, each pair wins points together. At the start of the game, when the score is 0-0, the serving pair chooses who serves for the first rally, and the receiving pair chooses who receives. The receiver always stands diagonally opposite the server, and the odd/even rule still applies. The only way to change service courts is to win a point when your side is serving. When the receiving side wins a rally, the serve passes to them, and they will serve from whichever side their score dictates.
In both singles and doubles, whenever a point is won, the players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point. In a casual game, the side that serves first can be decided by throwing the shuttlecock in the air and seeing where it lands. In a tournament, a coin toss is used.
To win a game, a player or pair must be the first to reach 21 points. However, if the score reaches 20-20, then 21 points are no longer enough to win, and players must win by two clear points. For example, a winning score could be 22-20 or 25-23, but not 21-20 or 24-23. The maximum score is 30-29.
Baker's Basketball Journey: Offers and Opportunities
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Badminton court dimensions
Badminton is a racquet sport played with a shuttlecock, and the court dimensions differ depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played. The court is rectangular and divided in half by a net. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) guidelines state that the length of a standard badminton court is 13.40m (44 feet) for both singles and doubles games. However, the width of the court differs between the two formats.
For singles matches, the width of the court is 5.18m (17 feet). The service court for singles measures 17 feet wide and has a long service line located 22 feet from the net. The service needs to be beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines.
For doubles matches, the width of the court is extended to 6.1m (20 feet). The service court for doubles measures 20 feet wide and features a long service line that is 2 feet 6 inches from the back boundary line. In doubles, the service should be beyond the short service line, with the long service line acting as the marker on the backcourt.
The net stands at a height of 1.55m (5 feet 1 inch) at the ends and dips to 1.52m (5 feet) in the middle. The short service line is 1.98m (6.5 feet) from the net and is often used as a reference point for serving. The full court measures 14.723m diagonally.
It is important to note that the court dimensions for juniors may differ, with a reduced net height and court length to cater to younger players' abilities.
Badminton House: A Public Access Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the doubles service court in badminton is shorter than the singles service court. The width of the doubles court is 6.1 meters (20 feet) while the singles court is 5.18 meters (17 feet).
The service or serve is a crucial part of a badminton player's drill. The player who serves first in any game shall do so from the right side of the service court and continue to do so each time after gathering an even number of points during a game. A serve after winning an odd number of points shall come from the left service court. A correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent's side without the shuttle getting stuck in the net or going out of bounds, with some part of their feet in contact with the court surface.
A point is scored if the serving side or the receiving side wins the rally. The first side to reach 21 points, with a two-point difference, wins the game and a match consists of three games.
Most leading professionals prefer a short backhand serve or a high-toss serve. Some players prefer to go long with their forehand serves, pushing their opponent to the baseline and then stretching the play. A serve from left-handers brings its own set of challenges, depending on the angle of the shuttlecock.
