Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a racquet sport that has been an Olympic event since the 1992 Barcelona Games. It is played either as singles or doubles. In singles, there are two players competing against each other, while doubles involve two pairs of players forming teams and competing against each other. The game begins with a serve, which must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line. The serve is hit 'underarm', meaning the server's racquet head and shaft must be angled downward, and the shuttlecock must be below the waist at contact. The base of the shuttlecock, or the cork, must be struck first.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 (singles) or 4 (doubles) |
| Scoring system | First to 21 points wins a game. If the score is 20-20, a side must win by 2 clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first to get their 30th point wins. |
| Court dimensions | Singles: 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. Doubles: 13.41m (44ft) long and 6.1m (20ft) wide. |
| Net height | 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high in the middle. |
| Service box | The server starts from the right service box. If the server's score is even, they serve from the right box; if odd, they serve from the left box. |
| Service motion | The serve must be one continuous motion, with no pauses during the backswing or forward swing. |
| Service height | The shuttlecock must be struck below a height of 1.15m. |
| Service technique | The shuttlecock must be struck below the waist, with the racket head and shaft angled downwards. The cork (base) of the shuttlecock must be struck first, not the feathers. |
| Foot placement | Both feet must be in contact with the ground and not touching any court lines during the serve. |
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What You'll Learn
The game starts with a coin flip to decide who serves first
The game of badminton starts with a coin toss to decide who serves first. The coin toss is the standard way to determine which player or team will serve initially and which side of the court each will start on. The server starts the game by serving from the service box on the right.
The serve in badminton has many specific rules that must be followed. The shuttlecock, or "birdie", is the cone-shaped 'ball' with feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The cork base must be struck first when serving, and the whole shuttlecock must be struck below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court. The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line. The serve must also be one continuous motion, with no stopping or pausing during the serving action.
During the rest of the game, the service is performed from either the left or right box, depending on the server's score. If the server's score is an even number, they will serve from the right box, and if it is an odd number, they will serve from the left box. 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 wins the point, they assume the serve.
Badminton is typically played as singles or doubles matches. In singles, there are two players competing against each other, and in doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete, resulting in a game of four players. All singles and doubles matches are typically played as the best of three games, with the first side to reach 21 points winning a game. A point is scored on every serve and awarded to the side that wins the rally.
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The first serve is performed from the right service box
To begin a game of badminton, the first serve is performed from the right service box. This initial serve sets the tone for the match and is an important moment for both players or teams involved. The right service box is specifically designated for starting the game, and it is crucial that the server follows the correct procedures and adheres to the rules to ensure a fair and competitive match.
The server must position themselves inside the right service box, ensuring that both feet are in contact with the ground and not touching any court lines. This stance helps maintain balance and stability during the serve. The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is then struck with the racket, aiming to send it diagonally into the opponent's half of the court, landing beyond their front service line. The shuttlecock is a unique feature of badminton, consisting of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base.
When performing the serve, the server must execute a continuous motion without pausing or making multiple forward and backward movements. This fluid action ensures a smooth and uninterrupted serve. The shuttlecock should be struck in a downward direction, with the server's racket angled underarm, and the shuttlecock itself below the waist. This underarm serving rule is a distinguishing factor from sports like tennis, where overhead serves are common.
In addition to the motion, there are specific height requirements for the serve. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) dictates that the shuttlecock must be below 1.15 metres from the floor when hit. This rule was implemented to standardise serving techniques and ensure consistency in tournaments. Judges and measuring devices are used in elite competitions to enforce this height requirement.
The first serve from the right service box is a critical moment strategically. It allows the server to establish their style and pace while also providing an opportunity to assess the opponent's positioning and tactics. A well-executed first serve can set the tone for the entire game, emphasising the importance of precision, technique, and adherence to the rules.
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The shuttlecock must be struck below waist height
The act of serving in badminton involves striking a shuttlecock, also known as a 'birdie', with a racket. The shuttlecock is a cone-shaped object made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The cork or rubber base must be struck first when serving, as per the rules of the game.
A key rule in badminton is that the shuttlecock must be struck below waist height. This means that the whole shuttlecock must be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court at the moment of impact with the server's racket. This rule was introduced by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in March 2018 to improve the application of service laws in tournaments. It is enforced by service judges who use measuring devices to determine the height of the shuttlecock during a serve.
To ensure a fair game, the server must also follow other rules. For example, both feet must be in contact with the ground and inside the service box, not touching any court lines. The serve must be a continuous motion without any pauses, and it must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court, landing beyond their front service line.
The rules of badminton, including those governing the serve, apply to both singles and doubles matches. In singles, the server always starts from the right service court and serves from that side whenever they have an even number of points. When the server has an odd number of points, they serve from the left service court. In doubles, the server starts on the right and keeps serving while alternating sides with their teammate as long as they continue winning points.
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The server must hit the cork, not the feathers, of the shuttlecock
To begin a game of badminton, a serve is performed from the right service box. The server must hit the cork of the shuttlecock with their racket and not the feathers. This is an important rule that ensures the shuttlecock travels in the correct direction and at the right speed. Hitting the feathers can cause them to bend or break, resulting in an unpredictable shot.
The server must also ensure that the shuttlecock is hit in a downward direction, with the racket head and shaft angled downwards. This is known as an "underarm" serve, and it distinguishes badminton from other sports like tennis, where overhead serves are common. By keeping the serve underarm, the game promotes control and precision over power.
Additionally, the server must pay attention to their footwork. Both feet should be in contact with the floor, and no part of the foot should cross the service line or court boundaries during the serve. This rule maintains fairness by ensuring the server does not gain an advantage by stepping into the court or towards the opponent's side during the serve.
The shuttlecock must be struck below the waist, and in competitive BWF tournaments, it must be below 1.15 meters from the floor when hit. This rule complements the underarm serving style, ensuring the server does not lift the shuttlecock too high, which could provide an unfair advantage.
By adhering to these rules, particularly the requirement to hit the cork and not the feathers, badminton players ensure that the game begins fairly and follows the established guidelines for serving. These rules set the tone for the rest of the match and contribute to the unique character of the sport.
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The serve must be one continuous motion
To begin a game of badminton, a player starts by serving the shuttlecock from the service box on the right. The server hits the shuttlecock so that it lands in the receiver's service court in the diagonally opposite quadrant of the court.
The continuous motion rule is likely in place to prevent deception and to ensure fairness during the serve. By requiring a continuous motion, the server is limited in their ability to use deceptive movements or change the direction of the shuttlecock mid-serve. This rule also emphasises the importance of a smooth and fluid serving action, where the server's movements are seamless and uninterrupted.
It's worth noting that the rules regarding the serve in badminton can vary slightly depending on the specific organisation or tournament. For example, in elite BWF competitions, there are additional rules and equipment to measure the service height, ensuring that the shuttlecock is below 1.15 metres from the floor when struck. Therefore, it is always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the specific rules and guidelines of the competition or venue before playing.
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Frequently asked questions
The player or team serving first is usually decided by a coin flip or seeing which side a shuttlecock points to when hit in the air and left to land.
The first serve comes from the right-hand service box.
The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line. It must be hit underarm, with the server's racket head and shaft angled downward, and the shuttle must be below the waist at contact. The whole shuttle must be struck below 1.15m, and the base of the shuttle (the cork) must be struck first. The server must make contact with the shuttle in one continuous motion, without stopping or moving backward or forward multiple times. Both feet must be in contact with the ground and not touching any court lines.
