Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a sport with a variety of rules that govern how it is played. One of the most important aspects of the game is the serve, which has several rules that players must adhere to. The rules for serving in badminton specify that the shuttlecock must be struck below a certain height, that the server must stand in a particular area, and that the serve must be delivered in a continuous forward motion. In addition, players are not allowed to delay their serve unnecessarily, and the shuttle must be struck in a specific manner. Understanding these rules is essential for playing badminton correctly and fairly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height of the shuttle | The shuttle must be below 1.15m from the surface of the court |
| Part of the shuttle to be struck | The base of the shuttle (the cork) must be struck first |
| Foot placement | Both feet must be in contact with the ground and not touching any lines on the court |
| Direction | The serve must be delivered in a forward continuous motion |
| Time taken | There is no time limit, but undue delay is not allowed |
| Net contact | The player's racket may cross the net, but only after the shuttle has been struck on their side of the court |
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What You'll Learn
Striking the feathers
To ensure a fair game, badminton has several rules governing the serve, including where the player stands, the height of the serve, and the motion of the strike. One such rule concerns striking the feathers of the shuttlecock.
The act of striking the feathers on the shuttlecock is not allowed in badminton. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) states that the base of the shuttlecock, the cork, must be struck first. This rule was introduced to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by hitting the feathers first and creating excessive spin on the shuttlecock. The cork is the correct part of the shuttlecock to strike, and the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the ground when struck.
The BWF's Laws of Badminton 9.1.6 state:
> "The whole shuttle shall be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court at the instant of being hit by the server's racket."
This rule is enforced by a service judge who uses a plastic measuring device to ensure compliance. This rule is only applied in BWF tournaments and international competitions, and the old service rule is still used in clubs and domestic tournaments.
The old service rule states:
> "The whole shuttle shall be below the server's waist at the instant of being hit by the server's racket. The waist shall be considered an imaginary line around the body, level with the lowest part of the server's bottom 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."
It is important to note that the rules regarding the serve in badminton are designed to ensure a fair game for both players. While striking the feathers is not allowed, other aspects of the serve, such as foot placement and the motion of the strike, are also regulated to maintain a balanced and competitive match.
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Foot placement
It is important that no part of the foot touches any of the lines on the court during the serve. The feet can be placed anywhere within the player's half of the court, including the tramlines, as long as they do not touch any lines or extend beyond the court boundaries. This rule gives players flexibility in their positioning while ensuring they do not encroach on the playing area.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) rules specify that the server's initial position is determined by the number of points they have accumulated during the game. If the server has an even number of points, they serve from the right side of the service court. Conversely, if they have an odd number of points, they move to the left side for the subsequent point. This rule adds a layer of strategy to the game, as players must adapt their positioning and tactics accordingly.
In addition to foot placement, there are other regulations that govern the service in badminton. For instance, the shuttlecock must be struck below the waist of the server, with the base of the shuttle (the cork) making contact with the racket first. These rules contribute to the fairness and consistency of the game, ensuring that players adhere to standard practices during the serve.
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Direction of serve
The direction of the serve is an important aspect of the rules of badminton. The service must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line, which is the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net. This line is also known as the 'short service line'. It is important to note that the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when struck by the server's racket. This rule was introduced by the BWF in March 2018 to improve the application of service laws in tournaments.
During the serve, the player must stand within their serving court, which is the right or left service court depending on their score. The server must not touch any of the lines or be outside the playing court. The server's racket head and shaft must be angled in a downward direction, and the shuttle must be struck below the waist. This rule ensures that the serve is hit 'underarm' and not 'overarm'.
In doubles play, the court boundaries for serving are different. During the service, the court is shorter, with the rear tramlines at the back of the court being out of bounds until the serve is returned. This means that the server must aim for the front half of the court, ensuring that the shuttle lands within the boundaries.
It is important to note that the server cannot delay their serving action unnecessarily. While there is currently no time limit specified in the rules, players have been faulted for taking too long to serve. This rule ensures that players do not gain an unfair advantage by frustrating their opponents or disrupting the flow of the game.
In conclusion, the direction of the serve in badminton is highly regulated to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game. Players must adhere to the specified serving areas, angles, and height restrictions to execute a legal serve. Practising proper serving techniques is crucial for both beginners and experienced players to improve their skills and fully enjoy the game.
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Duration of serve
The duration of a serve in badminton is a topic of contention, with no official time limit set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). However, the BWF Laws of the Game do state that "neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once the server and receiver are ready" (BWF Laws of Badminton 9.1.1). This means that while there is no set time limit, players should not take an excessive amount of time between serves.
The lack of a specific time limit for serves in badminton can lead to varying interpretations and disputes during matches. Some players may feel that their opponent is taking too long with their serving action, intentionally or unintentionally. This can be a strategic move by the server to gain an advantage or simply a result of them taking their time to deliver a quality serve.
In contrast, other sports, such as tennis, have implemented objective rules and time limits for serves to prevent undue delays. The absence of a similar rule in badminton can make the duration of the serve a subjective and controversial topic.
While there is no definitive solution to this issue, it is important for players to be mindful of the BWF's guidelines and avoid causing undue delays. Players should strive to maintain a reasonable pace during their serves to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for both sides.
To address this issue, some have suggested implementing a specific time limit for the serving action, similar to tennis. This would provide a clear guideline for players and reduce the subjectivity in determining what constitutes an "undue delay." However, the BWF has not yet announced any plans to introduce such a rule in clubs and domestic tournaments.
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Height of serve
The height of the serve in badminton is an important consideration when it comes to serving legally and effectively. According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Laws of Badminton, the shuttlecock must be struck below a certain height during the serve. The specific rule states that "the whole shuttle shall be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court at the instant of being hit by the server's racket" (BWF Laws 9.1.6). This rule was implemented in March 2018 to improve the application of service laws in BWF tournaments.
To ensure compliance with this rule, a service judge uses a plastic measuring device to check that the shuttlecock is below the specified height during the serve. This rule applies to elite BWF competitions and international tournaments. However, it is worth noting that this rule may not be enforced in club games and domestic tournaments, where the older service rule is still in place.
The previous rule, as per the BWF Alternative Service Laws 9.1.6, states that "the whole shuttle shall be below the server's waist at the instant of being hit by the server's racket." This rule defines the waist as "an imaginary line around the body, level with the lowest part of the server's bottom rib." Additionally, the server's racket head and shaft must be pointing in a downward direction when striking the shuttlecock.
Players should also be mindful of not causing undue delay during their serving action. While there is no specific time limit, players have been faulted for taking too long to serve. Practicing the low serve is, therefore, a good strategy to improve consistency and avoid delays during the game.
In summary, adhering to the height requirements for the serve in badminton is crucial. While the current rule sets the maximum height at 1.15 metres, older rules and informal games may still use the waist height rule. Practicing the low serve can help players improve their consistency and avoid delays, contributing to a more enjoyable and fair game for all participants.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the basic rules of serving in badminton:
- The shuttle must be struck below 1.15m.
- The server must not be touching any lines on the court.
- The shuttle must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court.
- The server must not take too long between serves.
Any serve that does not comply with the above rules is not allowed and will be called a fault. For example, a serve may be called a fault if the server is touching a line on the court, or if the shuttle is struck above 1.15m.
In addition to the above, it is not allowed to strike the feathers of the shuttlecock first, as this can create an advantage by adding spin. It is also a fault if a player hits the shuttlecock into the ceiling.
