
Badminton is a fun and challenging sport with a long history, believed to have originated in Greece around 2000 years ago. The rules of badminton can be quite complex and technical, but understanding the basics will get you far. The aim of the game is to win rallies and score points, aiming for a total of 21 points to win the game. You must win by at least 2 points, unless the score reaches 29-29, in which case the next point wins. Matches are played as the best of three games. The rules around serving are specific: the server's position depends on their score being odd or even, and the point of impact between the racket and shuttlecock must be below the waist. Players can earn a point when their opponent makes a foul, such as hitting the shuttlecock out of bounds or contacting the net with their body or racket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | Singles: 2, Doubles: 4 |
| Court dimensions (singles) | 13.41m (44ft) long, 5.18m (17ft) wide |
| Court dimensions (doubles) | 13.41m (44ft) long, 6.1m (20ft) wide |
| Net height | 1.55m (5ft 1in) at ends, 1.52m (5ft) in middle |
| Service rules | Server must not touch court lines, shuttlecock must be hit below waist height, serve diagonally into opponent's service box |
| Scoring | A point is scored when shuttlecock lands in opponent's court, or when opponent commits a fault, first to 21 points wins a game |
| Faults | Failure to hit shuttlecock over net, shot landing outside court boundaries, striking shuttlecock twice, touching net with body or racket |
| Change of ends | After first game, and if required, after second game |
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What You'll Learn
- Scoring a point: a point is scored when the shuttlecock hits the ground in the opponent's half of the court
- Serving: the shuttlecock should be hit from below the waist and players must not touch the court lines
- Rally rules: each side can only hit the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net
- Faults: a fault is when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or it lands outside the court
- Winning: the first side to reach 21 points wins, or 30 points if the game is tied at 29-29

Scoring a point: a point is scored when the shuttlecock hits the ground in the opponent's half of the court
Badminton is a racquet sport that can be played as singles (two players) or doubles (two pairs of players). In both formats, players take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. The aim of the game is to strike the shuttlecock with a racquet so that it passes over the net and either lands in the opponent's half of the court or cannot be returned by the opponent.
A point is scored when the shuttlecock hits the ground in the opponent's half of the court, including the lines. This means that a point can also be conceded if a shot goes outside the court boundaries. The shuttlecock must be hit below waist height, and players serve diagonally into their opponent's service box. The server must not be touching any of the court lines when serving, and the shuttlecock must pass the short service line, which is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net.
During a rally, each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. A player cannot strike the shuttlecock again after their initial shot, and they must wait for it to cross the net before playing another shot. If a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racquet, a point is conceded to the opposition.
If a player's shot hits the net but still goes into the opponent's court, play continues. If the shuttlecock touches the net during the serve, play also continues as long as all other aspects of the play are legal. However, touching the net with your body or racquet results in a conceded point.
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Serving: the shuttlecock should be hit from below the waist and players must not touch the court lines
Serving is an important part of badminton, and there are several rules that players must follow. Firstly, the shuttlecock, also known as a "birdie", should always be hit from below the waist. This is a fundamental rule of serving in badminton and is important to remember. It adds an element of challenge to the game, as players must adjust their stance and technique to hit the shuttlecock from a lower position.
Secondly, players must not touch the court lines during the serve. This means that they should remain inside the lines of their respective service courts until the server strikes the shuttlecock. This rule ensures that players do not gain an unfair advantage by stepping into the court too early and potentially interfering with their opponent's ability to return the serve. It also helps to maintain a sense of fairness and order during the game.
The service rules in badminton are designed to create a balanced and competitive environment for both players or teams involved. The server must also be mindful of their positioning in relation to the service courts and the net. In singles, the server starts from the right service court when their score is even and from the left service court when their score is odd. This alternating service position adds an interesting dynamic to the game and ensures that both sides of the court are utilised.
Additionally, the serve must pass the short service line, which is located 1.98 metres (6.5 feet) from the net. This rule ensures that the serve is not too close to the net, giving the receiver a fair chance to return the shuttlecock. It also encourages players to focus on precision and placement when serving, rather than simply powering through the shot.
It's worth noting that the rules for serving in badminton may vary slightly depending on the specific tournament or organisation's regulations. However, the fundamental principles of serving from below the waist and not touching the court lines remain consistent across different variations of the sport. Understanding and adhering to these rules are crucial for players to demonstrate their skills effectively and ensure a fair and enjoyable game for all participants.
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Rally rules: each side can only hit the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net
One of the most important rules in badminton is that each side can only hit the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. This rule applies to both singles and doubles matches. A rally ends once the shuttlecock has struck the ground. If a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racket, the point is conceded to the opponent.
The shuttlecock, also known as a birdie, must be hit below waist height during the serve. The server must not touch any of the court lines until they strike the shuttlecock. The shuttlecock is served diagonally into the opponent's service box. The server always serves from the right service court when they have an even number of points and from the left when they have an odd number of points.
In a doubles match, the court width is extended to 20 feet. The net is 5 feet 1 inch high at the ends and 5 feet high in the middle. The serve must pass the short service line, which is 6.5 feet from the net. There is also a doubles service line 2.5 feet in from the baseline. Each service court is 13 feet long and 8.5 feet wide.
A point is scored when the shuttlecock hits the ground in the opponent's half of the court, including the lines. A point is also conceded if a shot goes outside the court boundaries or if a player touches the net with their body or racket.
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Faults: a fault is when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or it lands outside the court
A fault is committed when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or when it lands outside the court. This is the most common type of fault in badminton. A fault results in a point for the opposing player or pair.
The shuttlecock must pass over the net and land inside the boundary of the opponent's half of the court for a player or pair to win a point. If the shuttlecock fails to clear the net or goes out of bounds, the player or pair automatically loses the point.
Players must also ensure that they do not touch any of the court lines during the serve. The serve must be executed from below the waist, and players must remain stationary until the serve is made.
It is important to note that a fault does not only refer to the shuttlecock failing to clear the net or landing out of bounds. A fault can also occur if a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racket or touches the net with their body or racket during play.
Therefore, to avoid committing a fault, players must ensure that they not only clear the net and maintain the shuttlecock within the court boundaries but also adhere to the rules regarding serving, striking the shuttlecock, and avoiding contact with the net.
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Winning: the first side to reach 21 points wins, or 30 points if the game is tied at 29-29
To win a badminton match, a player or team must be the first to reach 21 points. If the game is close and the score reaches 20-20, the game doesn't end until one side gains a two-point lead. So, if the score reaches 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins the game.
A point is scored when a player wins a rally. A player wins a rally when they strike the shuttlecock, or 'birdie', and it touches the floor on their opponent's side of the court, or when their opponent commits a fault. A fault can be failing to hit the shuttlecock over the net, or it landing outside the court boundaries. A point can also be conceded if a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racquet, or if they touch the net with their body or racquet.
The serve is important in badminton, as a point is scored on every serve. During the serve, the shuttlecock should be hit from below the waist, and players should not touch any of the court lines. The server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. They will serve from the left when they have an odd number of points.
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Frequently asked questions
Points are scored when a player wins a rally. A rally is won when a player strikes the shuttlecock, and it touches the floor on the opponent's side of the court, or when the opponent commits a fault.
A fault is when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net, or it lands outside the boundary of the court. A fault is also committed when a player strikes the shuttlecock twice with their racket, or if they touch the net with their body or racket.
Yes, there are several rules pertaining to serving in badminton. The server must not touch any of the court lines during the serve. The shuttlecock should be hit from below the waist and served diagonally into the opponent's service box. The player must remain stationary until the serve is made.











































