
Badminton is a sport that can be played in singles or doubles. In doubles, there are two players per side, and either player can hit the shuttlecock during the rally. There are specific service rules for doubles, such as serving diagonally and ensuring that the receiver's partner does not hit the second shot. The doubles service courts are also wider and shorter than in singles. Additionally, players should be aware of strategies such as net kills and hitting the shuttle at its highest point. Effective communication between partners is also crucial in doubles badminton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 4 (2 vs 2) |
| Scoring | Played to 11 points |
| Serving | The shuttle must be struck upward with an underarm motion, below the waist. |
| Service court | The serve starts on the right service court if the team's score is even, and on the left if odd. |
| Footwork | Some part of both feet must be touching the ground when serving. |
| Rally | Either player can hit the shuttle during a rally, except for the first two shots. |
| Strategies | Attacking or defensive formations, hitting the shuttle at its highest point, net kills. |
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What You'll Learn
- Serving rules: Serve diagonally, with an underarm motion and both feet on the ground
- Rally rules: Either player can hit the shuttlecock, but not under the net
- Court lines: Doubles service courts are wider and shorter, with four lines
- Faults: Hitting the net or the shuttlecock into your side of the net
- Formations: Attacking or defensive—players stand side-by-side or one in front of the other

Serving rules: Serve diagonally, with an underarm motion and both feet on the ground
Serving rules are crucial in badminton, and there are several components to a legal serve in doubles. Firstly, the serve must be diagonal. This means that, from the server's perspective, if they are standing on the left side of the court, they must serve the shuttle to the right side of the opponent's court. This is known as serving to the 'opponent's left court'.
Secondly, the server must use an underarm motion. This involves holding the shuttlecock in the non-racket hand and using an underarm swinging motion to lift it over the net. The shuttlecock should be hit below waist height, and the racket head must make contact with the shuttlecock below the vertical height of the handle. This type of serve is often used to surprise opponents as it can be disguised effectively.
Thirdly, both feet must be planted on the ground during the serve. This means that some part of both feet must be touching the ground, and neither foot should be lifted. This rule is in place to ensure stability and consistency in the serve and to maintain good balance. Flat-soled badminton shoes are recommended for better traction and stability.
Additionally, the server and receiver must stand within their respective service court areas, and their feet should not touch any lines on the court. The serve must be made diagonally across the net, and the shuttlecock must pass over the short service line on the opponent's side. It is important to note that in doubles, the serve court area is smaller, making the server more vulnerable to smashes from the opposing team.
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Rally rules: Either player can hit the shuttlecock, but not under the net
Rally rules for badminton doubles are quite straightforward. The game is played with two players on each side, and either player can hit the shuttlecock during a rally, but not under the net. This means that both players on a team are actively involved in hitting the shuttlecock back and forth with their opponents. There are no specific rules dictating that players must take turns.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. During the serve, only the receiving player is allowed to hit the shuttlecock for the first return. Their partner must wait for the next shot before they can get involved. This is an important rule to remember to avoid penalties.
The serve itself also has specific rules. The server must stand with both feet on the ground and serve diagonally to the opposing team's court. The serve must be an upward, underarm motion, with the shuttlecock struck below the waist. The server's partner cannot serve; they must remain stationary with their feet touching the ground.
It is important to note that the shuttlecock must always be hit over the net. Hitting it under the net results in a lost point for that team. Additionally, a player can only touch the shuttlecock once with their racquet; touching it multiple times or with anything other than the racquet results in a foul and a lost point.
Communication between partners is also key during a rally. The nature of doubles badminton encourages partnership and coordination between teammates.
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Court lines: Doubles service courts are wider and shorter, with four lines
When playing badminton doubles, it's important to understand the court lines and service rules. The doubles service courts are distinct from singles courts and are defined by four lines.
Firstly, the badminton court has a centre line that runs from the back to near the net. This centre line meets another line at the front of the court, known as the front service line. These two lines form a T-shape at their intersection.
Now, let's focus on the doubles service court. In doubles, each team has two players, and their service court is wider and shorter than in singles. The width of the doubles service court is determined by the outside sideline, and its length is defined by the inside back line. This inside back line is a unique feature of the doubles court and is not used during the main rally, only during serving.
The doubles service court is made up of four lines: the outside sideline, the inside back line, and two additional lines that complete the box-like shape of the service court. These four lines are crucial in determining the boundaries for serving.
When serving in doubles, the shuttle must be struck upward with an underarm motion, below the waist. The server must serve diagonally to the opposing team's court. For example, if the server is standing on the left side of their court, they must serve to the right side of the opponent's court.
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Faults: Hitting the net or the shuttlecock into your side of the net
Hitting the net or failing to hit the shuttlecock over it and into your opponent's side of the court results in a fault, and your opponent will be awarded a point. This is one of the most common types of faults in badminton.
To avoid hitting the net, you will need to change the position of your hand and opt for a short swing rather than a larger swing. Place your thumb behind the badminton handle, with only the pad of your thumb touching the handle. Make sure your racket is up before the shuttle arrives so that you can make a short swing. If not, you will most likely make a larger swing than necessary and accidentally hit the net. Before hitting the shuttle, make sure your racket is on top of the shuttle, and you have a tight grip. Then, hit the shuttle downwards.
Another way to avoid this fault is to ensure that your serve is executed correctly. A serve must carry cross-court (diagonally) to be valid. During the serve, the player should not touch any of the lines of the court, and the shuttlecock should always be hit from below the waist. If you are positioned on the left side of the court during a match, you must serve the shuttle to the right side of your opponent's court. Failure to do so is a fault.
Additionally, when performing a net kill, ensure that your racket is up before the shuttle arrives so that you can make a short swing. This will help you avoid hitting the net or the shuttlecock into your side of the net.
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Formations: Attacking or defensive—players stand side-by-side or one in front of the other
When playing doubles badminton, it's important to understand the tactical situation you're in, where you and your partner should stand, and the effect your shot will have on the game.
If you're in an attacking formation, one player will be at the front of the court, and the other at the back. The rear-court player attacks from the back of the court, while the front-court player is responsible for covering and controlling the net. The front player can also employ net kills, which require a short swing and a change in hand position. The back player will smash and occasionally drop the shuttlecock to the net, and the front player will try to intercept any flat returns or returns to the net.
In a defensive formation, both players stand side-by-side in the mid-court, covering the full court width. This maximises your chance of returning a smash from your opponents. If your opponents clear the shuttlecock, you should have time to move back and hit it. If they play a drop shot, you should be close enough to the net to return it.
During play, partners rotate and transition between these formations depending on what is happening on the court.
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Frequently asked questions
Serving in doubles badminton is done diagonally, from one right service court to the other right service court, or from one left service court to the other left service court, depending on the score. The server must serve the shuttle upwards, with an underarm striking motion, and it must be below the waist, level with the lowest part of the ribcage. Some part of both feet must also be touching the ground when serving.
There are two main playing formations in doubles badminton: attacking and defensive. In an attacking formation, one player is in front of the court, while the other is at the back. In a defensive formation, both players stand side by side.
Communication between partners is key in doubles badminton. Strategies include hitting the shuttle at its highest point to set up your opponent to smash or net the ball, and employing net kills, where you change the position of your hand and do a short swing to hit the shuttle downwards.









































