
In badminton, players switch ends at the end of the first and second sets. In a doubles game, if the team that serves wins a point, the players will switch positions. For instance, the player who initially serves from the right service court will move to the left service court to serve, and vice versa. If the serving team loses a point, the players will not switch positions. The scoring system is the same for singles and doubles, and a badminton match is a best-of-three-games match.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How is the first server decided? | Before the match, players decide who serves first and who receives the serve. |
| When do players switch servers? | In doubles, players switch sides when a point is won 'on serve', i.e. when the pair that served at the start of the point wins the rally. |
| How often do players switch sides? | Players switch sides after every point scored without losing a point. |
| Who serves next after a point is won? | The same player continues to serve until a rally is lost. |
| How is the side of the court decided? | If the server's score is an even number, the serve is from the right; if it is odd, the serve is from the left service box. |
| What is the serving rule? | The service must be hit diagonally to the opponents' half court and over their front service line. |
| What is the height restriction for a serve? | The whole of the shuttle shall be below 1.15 meters from the surface of the court at the point of impact. |
| What happens if a player takes too long to serve? | Players can be faulted for causing undue delay to the delivery of the service. |
| What happens if a player touches the net during play? | If the net is touched while the shuttle is still in play, a fault is called, and the point is awarded to the opponent. |
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What You'll Learn

The winning pair serves the next point
In badminton, matches are typically played as the best of three games, with each game played up to 21 points. Games must be won by two clear points, but if the score reaches 29-29, a sudden death point is played to determine the winner.
When it comes to serving, the winning pair serves the next point. This is true for both singles and doubles matches. The side of the court from which the serve is made depends on the number of points the serving pair has. If their score is even, the serve is made from the right side; if it's odd, the serve is from the left.
Players switch sides only when a point is won 'on serve'. This means that the pair that served at the start of the point wins the rally. When a point is won 'on serve', the same player continues to serve until a rally is lost.
To ensure a fair game, there are several rules regarding the service in badminton. Firstly, the server must strike the shuttle below waist level, and the shaft and racket head must be pointing downward during the strike. Secondly, both feet of the server must be in contact with the ground when striking the shuttle, and they cannot move or lift their feet until after the strike. Additionally, the server must not cause undue delay in delivering the service once both players are ready.
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Serve from the right on even points, left on odd points
The rules for serving in badminton are quite straightforward. Matches are played as the best of three games, with each game being played to 21 points. A game must be won by two clear points, but if the score reaches 29-29, a sudden death point decides the winner.
When serving, if your score is an even number, you serve from the right service court, also known as the even service court. If your score is an odd number, you serve from the left service court, known as the odd service court. For example, if you are serving and the score is 10-15, you would serve from the left court. If the score was 12-15, you would serve from the right court.
The receiver will stand in the diagonally opposite service court. The receivers never change their service courts. The only way for the serving side to change service courts is to win a point when serving. When the receiving side wins a rally, the serve passes to them, but their service courts do not change. This ensures that you never serve to the same person in two consecutive rallies.
In casual club or league games, it is common to decide who serves first by tossing the shuttlecock in the air and seeing which side it points towards. In standard league or tournament play, the serving pair chooses who serves first, and the receiving pair chooses who receives.
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Switch sides when a point is won 'on serve'
In badminton, players switch sides when a point is won "on serve". This means that if the pair that served at the start of the point wins the rally, they switch sides. The same player continues to serve until a rally is lost.
To clarify, here is an example: Let's say the game starts with Player A serving from the right-hand side. If Player A wins the rally, they switch to the left-hand side and continue serving from there. Now, if Player A wins another point, they will switch back to the right-hand side to serve again. This pattern of switching sides after winning a point continues throughout the game.
It's important to note that the side of the court is determined by the odd or even number of points obtained by the servers. If the server's score is an even number, the serve is from the right, and if it is odd, the serve is from the left service box. For example, if it's 0-0, the player on the right serves first. If they win the point, it becomes 1-0, and they switch to the left to serve again. If they win another point, it becomes 2-0, and they switch back to the right to serve.
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that in badminton, games are played to 21 points, and each rally won awards a point to the winner. Games must be won by two clear points, but if the score reaches 29-29, a sudden death point is played to determine the winner.
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The same player continues serving until a rally is lost
Serving rules in badminton can be confusing, especially in doubles. Matches are typically played as the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. A point is awarded for each rally won, and games must be won by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, a sudden-death point is played to determine the winner.
When it comes to serving, the winner of the previous rally serves first at the start of the next point. The server must stand within the service box on their right side if their score is even and on their left side if the score is odd. The server must strike the shuttle with their racket, ensuring that it is below waist level or 1.15 meters, with the racket head and shaft pointing downward. Both feet must be in contact with the ground, and neither can be touching any court lines.
Now, let's focus on the scenario where "the same player continues serving until a rally is lost." This situation typically occurs when a player or pair is serving and consistently winning points without losing a rally. In other words, they are continuously "serving and winning" without conceding a point. As long as the server keeps winning points, they retain the serve and switch sides with their partner after each won point. This ensures that each time the serve is won back, a different player on the pair serves. However, if the serving side loses a rally and concedes a point, the serve passes to the opposing pair or player.
It's important to note that in badminton, there are no second serves, unlike in tennis. Additionally, players must adhere to the "no undue delay" rule, which means they cannot take too long between points or during their serving action. These rules ensure the game's pace and flow are maintained.
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The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court
The rules of badminton are important to understand before stepping onto the court. This will help players avoid any disputes and give them a greater understanding and appreciation of the game. One such rule is that the serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court. This is a fundamental rule of badminton and is crucial to the flow of the game.
The court is short during service in doubles, 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 diagonally to ensure the shuttle lands in the opponent's half-court and not out of bounds. The serve must also go over the opponent's front service line, which is the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net.
The direction of the serve is important as it ensures that both players in the serving pair have an opportunity to serve. By serving diagonally to the opponent's half-court, the server is typically serving to their opposing player. This means that each pair of players will take turns serving and returning, creating a fair and balanced game.
Additionally, the rule adds a layer of strategy to the game. Players must consider the positioning of their opponents and aim their serve accordingly. A well-placed diagonal serve can catch the opponent off guard and increase the chances of winning the point.
It is worth noting that the side of the court from which the serve is delivered also matters. If the server's score is an even number, the serve is typically delivered from the right service box. If the score is odd, the serve is taken from the left service box. This rule ensures that players stay on the same sides to receive the serve and only switch sides when a point is won 'on serve'.
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Frequently asked questions
In badminton, the winner of the previous rally serves at the start of the next point. Players are to stay on the same sides to receive serve and only switch sides when a point is won ‘on serve’.
'On serve' means the pair that served at the start of the point wins the rally. When a point is won 'on serve', the same player continues to serve until a rally is lost.
The service must be hit diagonally to the opponents' half court and over their front service line. The serve must also be hit underarm—the server's racket head and shaft must be angled in a downward direction, and the shuttle must be below the waist at contact.
Some common faults during a serve in badminton include:
- Failing to comply with any of the serving rules, as determined by a service judge (if present).
- Lifting either foot off the ground before striking the shuttle.
- Touching the net while the shuttle is still in play.
- Pausing during the serving action.








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