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The service line in badminton is an important part of the court, with specific rules dictating how players serve the shuttlecock to their opponents. The badminton court has two service lines: the short service line, which is 1.98m from the net, and the long service line, which is 0.72m in from the baseline. These lines are marked specifically for service purposes. In singles, the shuttlecock must be served beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines, while in doubles, the service should be beyond the short service line but the long service line acts as the marker for the backcourt. The service is a crucial part of a player's gameplay, and there are several rules that must be adhered to, such as ensuring that the whole shuttlecock is below the server's waist when hit by the racket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of service lines | 2 |
| Short service line distance from net | 1.98m (6.5 feet) |
| Long service line distance from baseline | 0.72m (2.36 feet) |
| Service line marker in singles | Beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines |
| Service line marker in doubles | Beyond the short service line but before the long service line |
| Service court in singles | A box made from four lines |
| Service court in doubles | Wider and shorter than singles |
| Server's position | Diagonally opposite the receiver without touching the boundary lines |
| Server's feet | In contact with the floor |
| Part of shuttlecock to hit | Base (cork) |
| Direction of hit | Upwards with an underarm hitting action |
| Height of shuttlecock during service | Below the server's waist |
| Maximum height for shuttlecock | 1.15 metres from the surface of the court |
| Delay in service | Not allowed |
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What You'll Learn
The short and long service lines
A badminton court has two service lines: the short service line and the long service line. The short service line is 1.98m (6.5 feet) from the net, and the long service line is 0.72m (2.36 feet) in from the baseline. These lines are specifically marked on the court.
In a singles game, the shuttlecock must be served beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. In a doubles game, the shuttlecock should be served beyond the short service line, but it is the long service line that acts as the marker for the backcourt. The doubles service courts are wider because they use the outside sideline and shorter because they use the inside backline. This is the only function of the inside backline. The rules for service in badminton are designed to prevent the server from gaining an overwhelming advantage.
The server and receiver stand on diagonally opposite sides of the court without touching the boundary lines. The player serving the shuttlecock must have some part of their feet in contact with the court surface. The server must also ensure there is no undue delay once both players are ready. The service judge uses a plastic device to measure the service's validity by looking through the device at two black lines.
The type of serve a player uses can vary. Many professionals prefer a short backhand serve or a high-toss serve. Some players, like Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, prefer long forehand serves, pushing their opponent toward the baseline and stretching the play.
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Serving rules for singles
Serving plays an important role in a badminton player's gameplay. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has laid down a set of rules for serving in singles matches.
To begin with, the server in a badminton match is determined by a coin toss. The player who serves first in any game shall do so from the right side of the service court on which they begin the match. If the server has won an even number of points during a game, then they shall serve from the right side of the service court for the next point. In case the server has won an odd number of points during a game, they serve from the left side of the service court for the next point. The player serving the shuttlecock must stand on one side of the court without touching the boundary lines, and the receiver stands on the diagonally opposite side.
The serve must be delivered in a forward continuous motion. The base of the shuttle (the cork) must be struck first when serving. The entire shuttlecock should be below the waist of the server at the instant of being hit by the server's racket. The waist is considered to be an imaginary line coinciding with the server's lowest rib. The shaft and the racket head of the server's racket at the instant of hitting the shuttle shall be pointing in a downward direction. The server must ensure there is no undue delay once both the server and receiver are ready.
In singles, the service needs to be beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. The player serving the shuttlecock can stand anywhere in their half as long as they are not touching any lines or are outside the playing court. The players on either side can take up any positions on their side of the court as long as they do not impede the sight of the server or receiver.
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Serving rules for doubles
Choice of Server
The server in a badminton match is determined by a coin toss, and whichever player or side scores a point becomes the server for the next point.
Positioning
The server and receiver stand on diagonally opposite sides of the court without touching the boundary lines. The players on either side can take up any positions on their side of the court as long as they do not block the sight of the server or receiver.
Serving Sides
The player who serves first in the game does so from the right side of the service court on which they begin the match. Generally, if the server has won an even number of points during a game, they serve from the right side of the service court for the next point. If they have won an odd number of points, they serve from the left side.
Service Rotation
In doubles, players take turns serving, switching sides after each serve. This means that if a team wins a point while their player is serving from the right side, their next serve will be from the left side, and vice versa.
Correct Service
A correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent's side without the shuttlecock getting stuck in the net or going out of bounds. At the moment of impact, the shuttlecock should be below the server's waist, and the server should have some part of their feet in contact with the court surface.
Scoring
Points are scored by grounding the shuttlecock in the designated areas on the opponent's side of the net before they can return it. If the server's shuttlecock goes out of bounds, the receiving side wins the point. If a player commits a fault, such as failing to return the shuttlecock to the opponent's side, the opposing side wins the point.
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Correct service and winning a point
A correct service in badminton is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket and sends it over the net to the opponent's side without the shuttlecock getting stuck in the net or going out of bounds. During service, some part of the server's feet must be in contact with the court surface, and the shuttlecock should be below the server's waist when hit. The server must also ensure there is no undue delay between the first forward movement of the racket and the shot.
The service lines in badminton are the short service line, which is 1.98m (6.5 feet) from the net, and the long service line, which is 0.72m (2.36 feet) in from the baseline. In singles, the shuttlecock must be hit beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. In doubles, it must be hit beyond the short service line, with the long service line acting as the marker for the backcourt.
The server is determined by a coin toss, and whoever wins a point becomes the server for the next point. The player serving first in a game does so from the right service court. After that, the server alternates sides depending on the number of points they have: if they have an even number of points, they serve from the right side; if they have an odd number, they serve from the left. The receiver stands in the diagonally opposite service court.
A point is won each time a player wins a rally. The first person to reach 21 points wins the game, but they must win by at least two points. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one player gains a two-point lead. For example, a winning score could be 22-20 or 25-23, but not 21-20 or 24-23.
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Badminton court dimensions
A badminton court is rectangular and used for playing badminton with rackets. The court is divided in half by a net, with different widths depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played.
The length of a standard badminton court is 13.4m (44ft) for both singles and doubles matches. The width of a singles court is 5.18m (17ft), whereas a doubles court is wider at 6.1m (20ft). The full court measures 14.723m diagonally.
The two halves of the court are each 6.7m (22ft) long and separated by a net that stands at a height of 1.55m (5ft 1in) at the ends, dipping to 1.52m (5ft) in the middle. The service courts are separated by a centre line and are set back from the net by a 'short service line' of 1.98m (6.5ft). Doubles games also require a 'long service line', placed 0.76m (2.5ft) in from the back boundary.
Badminton courts are surfaced with safe flooring materials, including wood, synthetic, and rubber.
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Frequently asked questions
A badminton court has two service lines: the short service line, which is 1.98m (6.5 feet) from the net, and the long service line, which is 0.72m (2.36 feet) in from the baseline.
In singles, the service needs to be beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. In doubles, the service should be beyond the short service line, but the long service line acts as the marker on the backcourt. Players cannot be touching any of the service lines when serving or receiving.
The inner rear service line for doubles is used so that the receiver isn't at a disadvantage. If the rear service line was the backline, it would be very difficult for the receiver to reach the short service in time to play an aggressive shot and cover a flick serve to the backline.
