
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock, which is hit back and forth over a net. The sport can be played in singles (1 vs. 1) or doubles (2 vs. 2) formats, with doubles involving more teamwork and communication. The doubles playing court is rectangular and wider than the singles court, with wider sidelines, but both are of the same length. The doubles court includes the left and right side alleys, which are excluded from the singles court. The service rules and rotation system also differ between singles and doubles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 4 (2 vs 2) |
| Court width | 6.1 metres (20 feet) |
| Court length | 13.4 metres (44 feet) |
| Service court length | 3.96 metres (13 feet) |
| Service court width | 2.59 metres (8.5 feet) |
| Net height at edges | 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) |
| Net height in the centre | 1.524 metres (5 feet) |
| Minimum ceiling height | Not mentioned in Laws of Badminton |
| Shuttlecock weight | 4.74–5.5g |
| Shuttlecock length | 62–70mm |
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What You'll Learn
- The doubles court is wider than the singles court
- The doubles court has a shorter serve-length dimension
- Doubles involves teamwork and communication
- Doubles tactics: one player covers the backcourt, the other covers the front
- Service rules are different for doubles, including service boundaries and rotation

The doubles court is wider than the singles court
The doubles court in badminton is wider than the singles court. This is to accommodate the two players on each team, allowing them to cover more of the court and execute offensive and defensive strategies that would be difficult in singles. The full width of the doubles court is 6.1 metres (20 feet), while the singles court width is 5.18 metres (17 feet). The length of the court remains the same for both formats at 13.4 metres (44 feet).
The doubles court also includes the left and right side alleys, which are excluded from the singles court. This means that the service court dimensions are different for singles and doubles. In singles, the server always starts from the right service court when their score is even and switches to the left service court when their score is odd. In doubles, the server starts on the right and continues serving and alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points.
The doubles format in badminton requires teamwork and communication between partners. Players must be mindful of each other's movements and play to their respective strengths. One player typically covers the backcourt, using offensive shots like smashes and drives, while the other covers the frontcourt, intercepting shots and applying pressure with body shots and net kills.
The service rules and rotations also differ between singles and doubles. In singles, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts. However, in doubles, the players who are not serving or receiving can stand anywhere on their side of the court as long as they do not block the receiver's view.
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The doubles court has a shorter serve-length dimension
The doubles court in badminton is wider than the singles court, with a width of 6.1 metres (20 feet) compared to 5.18 metres (17 feet) for singles. However, the doubles court has a shorter serve-length dimension, which can be a source of confusion for newer players. The full length of the court for both singles and doubles is 13.4 metres (44 feet).
The doubles court includes the left and right side alleys, whereas the singles court does not. This means that the service boxes for singles are slightly longer, with a boundary line that goes to the back of the court. In doubles, the service court is marked by a long service line, which is 0.76 metres (2.5 feet or 2 feet 6 inches) from the back boundary. This line does not exist in singles.
The service rules and rotations also differ between singles and doubles. In singles, the server starts in the right service court when their score is even and switches to the left service court when their score is odd. In doubles, the server always starts on the right service court and keeps serving, but alternates sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving team wins the point, the player who did not initially receive will then serve from whichever side corresponds to their team's score.
The tactics and strategies employed in singles and doubles also differ significantly due to the difference in court dimensions and the number of players. In singles, players are solely responsible for their entire end of the court, whereas in doubles, players have a partner to cover parts of the court they are not in position to reach. This allows for more offensive possibilities in doubles, such as having one player cover the backcourt and the other the frontcourt, with the backcourt player utilising shots like half smashes, full smashes, and drives.
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Doubles involves teamwork and communication
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock. The most common forms of the game are singles (with one player per side) and doubles (with two players per side). The doubles playing court in badminton is wider than the singles court, with a width of 6.1 metres (20 feet) compared to 5.18 metres (17 feet) for singles. The length of the court remains the same for both singles and doubles, at 13.4 metres (44 feet). The doubles court also has a shorter serve-length dimension.
Doubles in badminton involves a lot of teamwork and communication between partners. Teams perform at their best when they work together in sync and have a common strategy. Doubles is a fast-paced, explosive, and precise game, and players must have quick reaction times. Teammates can specialise in different aspects of the game, such as one player focusing on the front court and the other on the back court. This strategy works well in doubles but not in singles, where players need to be more well-rounded.
In doubles, the attack formation typically involves one player covering the backcourt and the other covering the front. The backcourt player uses offensive shots such as half smashes, full smashes, and drives to stay unpredictable. The frontcourt player intercepts shots, applies pressure using body shots and drops, and looks for opportunities to set up their partner for powerful offensive shots. Depending on who is in the best position to return the shuttle, teammates may need to rotate to maintain offence.
Effective communication is essential in doubles. Players must be mindful of their partner's movement throughout the match and plan their game accordingly. They must also ensure they don't block their partner's view when receiving the serve. Only one player on a team is allowed to hit the shuttle; if both players touch it with their racquet, the team loses a point.
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Doubles tactics: one player covers the backcourt, the other covers the front
A badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. The doubles court is wider than the singles court, but both are of the same length. The full width of the court is 6.1 metres (20 feet) for doubles, and in singles, this width is reduced to 5.18 metres (17 feet). The full length of the court is 13.4 metres (44 feet). The service courts are marked by a centre line dividing the width of the court, a short service line at a distance of 1.98 metres (6 feet 6 inches) from the net, and the outer side and back boundaries. In doubles, the service court is also marked by a long service line, which is 0.76 metres (2 feet 6 inches) from the back boundary. The net is 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the ends and 1.524 metres (5 feet) high in the centre.
In a doubles match, two players in each team stand on either side of the net. One player serves to an opponent, who returns the shuttle to the other side. The rally continues until one team wins a point. The team that wins a point gets to serve for the next point. When a team's score is an even number, they serve from the right service court, and when odd, they serve from the left service court.
In doubles badminton, mastering the front and back formation can greatly enhance your team's effectiveness on the court. This formation allows you to cover the court efficiently, making it easier to respond to your opponents' shots. One player stays near the net to intercept and attack, while the other player covers the backcourt, ready to defend or set up powerful returns. The player in the backcourt will cover most shots to the backcourt, continuing to play smashes or drop shots. The front player will cover replies to the net or midcourt, either playing kills or shots that provoke another lift.
When defending, you must adopt a side-by-side formation to cover the full width of the doubles court. Side-by-side positioning can also play an essential role in doubles badminton. This strategy allows you and your partner to cover the court more efficiently, especially during fast-paced rallies. When you're positioned side by side, effective partner communication becomes vital. You'll want to call out shots and signal your intentions to avoid confusion and create openings.
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Service rules are different for doubles, including service boundaries and rotation
The service rules in badminton doubles are slightly more complicated than in singles. The service court in doubles is smaller and wider than in singles, making serving more strategic. The basic rule is that the player who serves first shall do so from the right side of the service court and continue to do so each time they win a point with an even number. A serve after winning a point with an odd number shall come from the left service court. The server and receiver stand on diagonally opposite sides of the court without touching the boundary lines.
In badminton doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, while alternating sides with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side takes the point, they assume the serve. Going forward, the player who did not initially serve for each team will only assume the serve once their side has won a point as the receiving side.
In doubles, the service court is also marked by a long service line, which is 0.76 metres (2.5 feet) from the back boundary. Each service court is 3.96 metres (13 feet) long and 2.59 metres (8.5 feet) wide.
For a legal serve, the player must hit the shuttle below their waist with the racquet shaft pointing downwards in an underhand motion. The shuttlecock must pass over the short service line on the opponents' court or it will count as a fault.
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Frequently asked questions
The doubles court is wider than the singles court, but both are the same length. The doubles court has a shorter serve-length dimension. The full width of the court is 6.1 metres (20 feet), and in singles, this width is reduced to 5.18 metres (17 feet).
The service rules for a doubles badminton court include service boundaries and service rotation. The players who are not serving or receiving may stand anywhere on their side of the court as long as they do not block the view of the receiver.
In a doubles match, two teams of two players play against each other. One player serves to the opposing team, and the rally continues until a team wins a point. The team that wins the point gets to serve for the next point. Only one player in a team is allowed to hit the shuttlecock, and it may only be hit once by a team.
Doubles involves teamwork and communication. The players usually take up an attack formation, with one player covering the backcourt and the other the front. The backcourt player uses offensive shots, while the frontcourt player intercepts shots and increases pressure using body shots.
The service courts for doubles in badminton are marked by a centre line that divides the width of the court, a short service line at a distance of 1.98 metres from the net, and the outer side and back boundaries. There is also a long service line, which is 0.76 metres from the back boundary.



















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