
Serving is a crucial part of a badminton player's gameplay. The service rules in badminton dictate that the player's feet must not be touching any court lines, and some part of the feet must be in contact with the court surface. The shuttlecock must be struck below the waist, and the serve must be delivered in a forward continuous motion. The server must also ensure there is no undue delay once both the server and receiver are ready. The basic service rules include serving from the right side of the service court after gathering an even number of points and serving from the left service court after an odd number of points.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scoring system | A point is scored if the serving side or the receiving side wins the rally. |
| Rally | 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. |
| Winning a game | The first side to reach 21 points, with a two-point difference, wins the game. |
| Winning a match | A match consists of three games. |
| Serving rules | The player who serves first shall do so from the right side of the service court and continue to do so each time after gathering an even number of points during a game. |
| Serving rules | A serve after winning an odd number of points shall come from the left service court. |
| Serving rules | The receiver must stand on the alternate service court. |
| Serving rules | The players on either side can take up any positions on their side of the court as long as they do not impede the sight of the server or receiver. |
| Serving rules | The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court and over their front service line. |
| Serving rules | The serve must be hit underarm, meaning the server's racket head and shaft must be angled in a downward direction, and the shuttle must be below the waist at contact. |
| Serving rules | In elite BWF competition, the shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the floor when struck. |
| Serving rules | Both feet should be in contact with the floor, and no part of the foot should be touching the service line or the other court boundaries when serving. |
| Serving rules | The serve must be delivered in a forward continuous motion. |
| Serving rules | The base of the shuttle (the cork) must be struck first when serving. |
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What You'll Learn
- The shuttlecock must be hit with a racket over the net to the opponent's side
- The shuttlecock must not exceed the boundaries of the badminton court
- The player's feet must not touch any court lines
- The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court
- The server's racket head and shaft must be angled downward

The shuttlecock must be hit with a racket over the net to the opponent's side
Serving is a crucial part of a badminton player's gameplay. The service rules in badminton are quite straightforward. The shuttlecock must be hit with a racket over the net to the opponent's side. The serve must be a continuous motion, without any undue delay, and the server must ensure that their feet are not touching any court lines. The shuttlecock should be struck below the waist, and the base of the shuttle (the cork) must be hit first. This rule was implemented to prevent players from gaining an advantage by hitting the feathers first and creating excessive spin.
When serving, players can stand anywhere within their half of the court, including the tramlines, as long as they are not touching any lines or outside the playing area. The service court depends on the number of points a player has scored. If a player has an even number of points, they serve from the right service court, and if they have an odd number, they serve from the left. This rule applies to both singles and doubles matches, with doubles matches having a slightly different court setup.
A successful serve results in a rally, which continues until the shuttlecock touches the ground, hits the net, or goes out of bounds. A point is awarded if the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court or if the opponent fails to return it over the net and within the court boundaries. If the shuttlecock hits the net but still goes over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. However, if it falls short or wide of the court, the receiver wins the point.
Badminton serves can vary, with professionals employing different strategies. Some prefer a short backhand serve to initiate play, while others opt for a high-toss or long forehand serve to challenge their opponents. The angle and technique used during the serve can impact the gameplay and present unique challenges for the receiver.
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The shuttlecock must not exceed the boundaries of the badminton court
For a successful serve in badminton, the shuttlecock must be hit with a racket over the net to the opponent's side of the court. It is important to note that the shuttlecock must not exceed the boundaries of the badminton court. If the shuttlecock goes out of bounds, the receiving player or side wins the point.
The shuttlecock must be struck below the waist, with the entire shuttlecock below 1.15 metres from the floor when hit. This rule was introduced by the BWF in 2018 to improve the application of service laws at tournaments. The service must also be delivered in a forward continuous motion, without pausing during the serving action.
The server must also pay attention to their footwork. Both feet should be in contact with the court surface, and no part of the foot should be touching any of the court lines or boundaries. The server can stand anywhere in their half of the court, even in the tramlines, as long as they are not touching any lines or outside the playing court.
In doubles, the basic service rules are the same as in singles. The player who serves first does so from the right side of the service court and continues to do so after scoring an even number of points. A serve after an odd number of points comes from the left service court. The receiver must stand on the alternate service court, and the pair who wins the point becomes the server for the next point.
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The player's feet must not touch any court lines
When serving in badminton, one of the key rules to remember is that the server's feet must not touch any of the court lines. This rule is in place to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the service box boundaries. Here's a detailed explanation of this rule and its implications:
The server must position themselves entirely within the service box without touching the boundary lines. This includes both feet being clearly inside the lines. If any part of the server's foot touches or crosses the line, it is considered a fault, and the server loses that serve. The lines are considered out of bounds, so the feet must be clearly inside the imaginary box created by the lines.
This rule is important as it defines the legal serving area and ensures the server doesn't gain an unfair advantage by starting the rally from a position that could provide an easier angle or a head start. The lines are there to mark out the area within which the server must initiate the action, and stepping on or over the line can provide a slight but unfair advantage.
Players need to be mindful of their foot placement, especially when performing jump serves or any serve that requires a more dynamic footwork. The server must take off and land without touching the lines. This rule also applies if the server chooses to use a 'fake' or deceptive action as part of their service routine. Any footwork, including feints and steps, must not involve touching the lines.
Referees and line judges are vigilant in observing this rule, and players should also be aware of their foot placement. It is the responsibility of the officials to call a fault if the server's foot touches or crosses the line. Players should also be mindful of this rule when playing socially or in practice matches, as it helps develop good habits and ensures fair play.
In conclusion, the rule stating that the player's feet must not touch any court lines when serving is crucial in badminton. It defines the legal serving area, maintains fairness, and ensures players initiate the rally from a valid position. Players should be mindful of their footwork and take care not to touch or cross the lines when serving, thereby avoiding faults and adhering to the rules of the game.
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The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court
When serving in badminton, there are a few rules to keep in mind. Firstly, the serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court, crossing over their front service line. This line is the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net. It's important to note that badminton does not allow second serves, unlike tennis.
The server must also follow specific guidelines for their serving technique. The serve should be hit "underarm", which means that the server's racket head and shaft must be angled downwards, and the shuttle must be contacted below the waist. In elite BWF competitions, service judges and height-measuring devices are used to ensure that the shuttle is struck below 1.15 metres from the floor.
Additionally, both feet of the server should be in contact with the floor, and no part of the foot should be touching the service line or other court boundaries during the serve. The server's position is crucial, as stepping on the lines or crossing into the opponent's court during the serve would result in a fault.
The service rules in badminton also dictate the serving order. Typically, the initial serving side is decided by a coin flip or another agreed-upon method. After that, the winner of each rally serves next, alternating between the left and right service boxes depending on their score. If the server's score is even, they serve from the right box; if it's odd, they use the left box.
It's worth noting that if the shuttlecock hits the net but still goes over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. However, if it falls short of the line or goes out of bounds, the receiver wins the point. These rules add an interesting dynamic to the game, emphasizing the importance of accurate and strategic serving.
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The server's racket head and shaft must be angled downward
To serve in badminton, the server's racket head and shaft must be angled downward. This rule was implemented to prevent a badminton serve from appearing like a drive, where the shuttlecock flies horizontally towards the receiver, which is considered a service fault. The downward angle of the racket helps ensure that the serve is executed in a continuous forward motion, with the base of the shuttle (the cork) struck first, followed by the feathers. This rule also applies to the height of the serve, ensuring it stays below a certain height.
The specific technique required for a legal serve in badminton is quite intricate. The server must begin with both feet planted on the ground, with no part of the foot touching any court lines. The server then executes the serve in one continuous motion, without pausing or moving backwards or forwards multiple times before striking the shuttle. The serve must be hit 'underarm', with the racket head and shaft angled downward, and the shuttle must be struck below the server's waist.
The waistline, according to the official badminton rules, is an "imaginary line somewhere around the lowest part of your bottom rib". The downward angle of the racket helps ensure that the shuttle is struck below this imaginary line. This rule is easier for judges to enforce in elite BWF competitions, where there are service judges and service height-measuring devices to accurately determine whether the serve is legal.
In addition to the racket angle, the direction of the serve is also crucial. The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line. This line is the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net. The server must also ensure that the shuttle travels over the net and lands past the service line to win the rally. If the shuttle hits the net but lands short of the service line or wide of the court, the receiver wins the point.
While the specific rules regarding racket head and shaft angle have evolved, the current emphasis on a downward angle helps ensure fair and consistent serves that adhere to the continuous forward motion required in badminton.
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Frequently asked questions
A correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent’s side without the shuttlecock getting stuck in the net or going out of bounds. The shuttlecock should be struck below the waist, and the player's feet must be in contact with the court surface, not touching any lines.
If the shuttlecock hits the net but continues over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. If it hits the net but lands short of the service line or wide of the court, the receiver wins the point.
The player who serves first does so from the right side of the service court and continues to do so after scoring an even number of points. A serve after an odd number of points comes from the left service court. The receiver must stand on the alternate service court.
A rally is a series of shots exchanged between teams until the shuttlecock touches the ground, hits the net, or goes out of bounds. A point is awarded for every rally that is won, and the winner of the rally serves next.
Yes, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Laws of the Game state that there should be "no undue delay" once the server and receiver are ready. While there is no time limit, players can be faulted for taking too long.









































