
Badminton is a popular sport that requires players to hit a shuttlecock back and forth over a net using rackets. While it may not be a complex game, it's always good to know the rules before stepping onto the court. One of the most important aspects of badminton is the serve, which can set the tone for the game and even provide an advantage for players. The rules of serving in badminton are quite detailed, including specifications for foot placement, angle of the racket, and height of the shuttlecock. In this discussion, we will delve into the intricacies of badminton serving rules and explore the topic 'what side of the court do you serve on in badminton'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Server's starting position | Right side of the service court |
| Server's position after an even number of points | Right side of the service court |
| Server's position after an odd number of points | Left side of the service court |
| Feet position | Cannot touch any court lines; must be in contact with the court surface |
| Shuttlecock position | Entire shuttlecock must be below the waist of the server |
| Service motion | Forward continuous motion; no undue delay |
| Striking the shuttlecock | Base of the shuttle (the cork) must be struck first |
| Shuttlecock height | Below 1.15m from the surface of the court |
| Scoring | First to 21 points with a two-point difference wins the game; a match consists of three games |
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What You'll Learn

Service rules for singles and doubles
The service rules for badminton singles and doubles matches are quite similar, with some minor differences.
To begin, the first server in a badminton match is determined by a coin toss. The player who wins the toss will serve first from the right side of the service court. In singles matches, the court is thinner, with the wide outside 'tramlines' out of bounds. For doubles, the court is full width, and these tramlines are considered 'in'. During service in doubles, the court is shorter, with the rear tramlines at the back of the court being out of bounds until the serve is returned.
For the rest of the game, the server will switch sides depending on their score. If the server has scored an even number of points, they will serve from the right side. If they have scored an odd number of points, they will serve from the left. The players can take up any position on their side of the court as long as they do not block the sight of the server or receiver.
When serving, the shuttlecock must be hit with the racket over the net to the opponent's side without touching the net or going out of bounds. The shuttlecock should be below the waist of the server at the point of contact, and the server's feet must be in contact with the court surface, not touching any lines. The serve must be one continuous motion, with no undue delay.
A point is scored if the serving side or the receiving side wins the rally. A rally continues until the shuttlecock touches the ground, hits the net, or goes out of bounds. The first side to reach 21 points, with a two-point difference, wins the game, and a match consists of three games.
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The correct way to serve
Serving correctly in badminton is a crucial part of the game and can be considered an art in itself. Here are the key rules and techniques to ensure a proper serve:
Firstly, the server and receiver should stand on diagonally opposite sides of the court without touching the boundary lines. The server must then hit the shuttlecock with their racket in a forward continuous motion, ensuring it travels over the net to the opponent's side. It is important to note that the shuttlecock should not get stuck in the net or exceed the boundaries of the court. The entire shuttlecock should be below the waist of the server when hit, and the server's feet must be in contact with the court surface without touching any lines.
The base of the shuttle, or the cork, must be struck first. This rule was implemented to prevent players from gaining an advantage by hitting the feathers first and creating excessive spin. The shuttlecock must also be hit below 1.15 meters from the surface of the court, according to BWF laws.
The server must not cause undue delay once both players are ready. While there is no official time limit, players have been faulted for taking too long.
Regarding the service side, the player serving first typically starts from the right service box. After that, the server alternates between the left and right boxes depending on their score. If the server's score is an even number, they serve from the right box; if odd, they serve from the left.
Different players have different serving styles. Some professionals prefer a short backhand serve or a high-toss serve, while others like to go long with forehand serves. Left-handed players, such as Olympic gold medallist Carolina Marin, bring their own unique challenges with the angle of their serves.
In conclusion, serving correctly in badminton requires a combination of technique, strategy, and adherence to the rules outlined above.
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Court boundaries for singles and doubles
The server and receiver in badminton stand on diagonally opposite sides of the court, without touching the boundary lines. The player who serves first in any game does so from the right side of the service court on which they begin the match. If the server has won an odd number of points during a game, they serve from the left side of the service court for the subsequent point. Conversely, if they have won an even number of points, they serve from the right side.
In singles, yellow marks the boundaries for even numbers, and red marks the area for odd numbers. The side is marked, rather than the back boundary line. After the serve, everywhere inside the lines is within the playing field, meaning red, yellow, and white are all considered "in".
For doubles, the basic service rules are the same as for singles. The player who serves first shall do so from the right side of the service court and continue to do so each time they gather an even number of points during the game.
In both singles and doubles, a correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent’s side—without the shuttle getting stuck in the net or exceeding the boundaries of the badminton court—with some part of their feet in contact with the court surface. If the server’s shuttle goes out of bounds of the court, the receiving player or side wins the point.
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Scoring system
The scoring system in badminton is relatively simple. A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to whichever side wins the rally. The first side to reach 21 points, with a two-point difference, wins the game. In the event of a 20-20 tie, the game continues until a team achieves a two-point lead, even if this means exceeding 21 points (e.g. 22-20, 23-21, etc.). If the game reaches 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins.
In badminton, a rally is defined as a series of shots exchanged between either team until the shuttlecock touches the ground, hits the net, or goes out of bounds of the court. A point is won if the shuttlecock, also known as a "birdie", hits the ground in the opponent's half of the court, including the lines. A point can also be conceded if a shot goes outside the court boundaries, if the shuttlecock hits the net or passes through/under it, or if a player strikes it twice with their racket.
In terms of serving, the server's position is determined by their score. If the server has an even number of points, they serve from the right service court; if they have an odd number of points, they serve from the left service court. The right service court is also known as the "even service court", and the left service court is known as the "odd service court". The receiver's position, on the other hand, is determined by the server's score. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server.
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 a point, they assume the serve, and the player who did not initially serve will then serve once their side has won a point.
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Faults and lets
Badminton is a well-organised sport with detailed rules for faults, fouls, and lets. A fault occurs whenever a player breaks any predefined rule of badminton, either intentionally or unintentionally. Faults can result in losing a point or service. Rallies usually end with a fault, with the player who made the fault losing the rally. For example, hitting the shuttlecock out of bounds is a fault.
There are several types of faults and fouls in badminton. A contact foul occurs when the shuttlecock comes into contact with any object or person other than a racket. A double-hit foul happens when a player hits the shuttlecock twice in a row or when teammates simultaneously contact the shuttlecock. A service fault occurs when the service is not executed below the waist or in an upward motion, or when the player does not serve to the opposite side of the court. Players must also avoid touching the net with their bodies or rackets, as this will result in a fault.
The receiver can also commit faults. For example, the receiver must not move or hit the shuttlecock before it crosses the net. Additionally, the receiver must stay within the service box during the serve.
A let is a disputed point in a game, which is replayed without penalty. For example, if the shuttlecock hits the ceiling, it is not a fault, but it is also not a let, and no replay is allowed.
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Frequently asked questions
The server must hit the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent’s side without it getting stuck in the net or going out of bounds. The whole shuttlecock should be below the waist of the server when hit, and the server must have some part of their feet in contact with the court surface.
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, they shall serve from the right side for the subsequent point. If the server has won an odd number of points, they serve from the left side. Players cannot have their feet touching any of the court lines.
Common faults include serving from the wrong side of the court, having your feet touch the court lines, or taking too long to serve.



































