Helena Frye
The service or serve is a crucial part of a badminton player's gameplay. The rules of the game, as laid down by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), state that 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 the court's boundaries. The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line. The shuttlecock should be below the waist of the server at the instant of being hit by the racket. The service rules for singles and doubles matches are slightly different, with the court boundaries varying for each format.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Service rules | The shuttlecock must be hit with a racket over the net to the opponent's side without touching the net or going out of bounds. |
| Foot placement | The server's feet must be in contact with the court surface, and cannot touch any lines. |
| Service side | The first serve of the game is from the right side of the service court. The side for subsequent serves depends on the server's score, with even scores requiring service from the right and odd scores from the left. |
| Service height | The shuttlecock should be below the server's waist when struck. In elite BWF competitions, it must be below 1.15m from the floor. |
| Service direction | The service must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court and over their front service line. |
| Service delay | There should be no undue delay in delivering the service once both the server and receiver are ready. |
| Scoring | A point is awarded for winning a rally, and the winner of the rally serves to start the next point. A game is won when a player reaches 21 points, with a two-point lead. A match consists of three games. |
| Court boundaries | The boundaries differ for singles and doubles matches. In singles, the tramlines are out of bounds, while in doubles, they are considered inbounds. |
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What You'll Learn
The server's positioning
In doubles matches, the basic service rules are similar to singles. The player serving first starts from the right side of the service court, and this position is maintained for each service after accumulating an even number of points. However, after scoring an odd number of points, the server switches to the left service court. It is important to note that the court boundaries for doubles matches include the full width, including the 'tramlines', which are considered out of bounds in singles.
Lastly, the server's positioning should also consider the type of serve they intend to employ. Different players have different preferences for their serves, such as a short backhand serve, a high-toss serve, or a long forehand serve. The server's position on the court can impact the angle and effectiveness of their chosen serve, so it is important for them to strategize accordingly.
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The receiver's positioning
Firstly, the receiver must have both feet in contact with the ground until the shuttle is struck by the server. This is a fundamental rule that applies to both the server and receiver. Additionally, the receiver's feet cannot touch any of the court lines during the serve; they must be positioned within the boundaries of their half of the court. This rule also applies to the server, ensuring fairness and providing a clear demarcation for each player's starting position.
The receiver can stand anywhere within their half of the court, including the tramlines, as long as they are not touching any lines or stepping out of bounds. This freedom of movement within their half allows the receiver to adjust their position based on their strategy and the server's actions.
In terms of strategy, the receiver's positioning can vary depending on their style of play and the server's tendencies. For example, if the receiver anticipates a short serve, they might position themselves closer to the net to intercept the shuttlecock early. Conversely, if they expect a powerful or deceptive serve, they may choose to stand further back to allow more reaction time or to cover more of the court.
Communication between doubles partners is also essential during the serve. The receiving side's partners should coordinate their positions to ensure proper coverage of the court and effective return of the shuttlecock. They must also be mindful of not impeding each other's sightlines or causing any obstruction to the server.
Finally, it's worth noting that the receiver's positioning can be influenced by the server's score. In badminton, the server switches sides depending on their score. If they have an even number of points, they serve from the right service court; if they have an odd number, they serve from the left. As such, the receiver can adjust their position relative to the server's court position, factoring this into their strategic considerations.
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The height of the shuttlecock
The specific height requirement has been updated by the BWF. The previous rule stated that the shuttlecock had to be below the server's waist when hit. This was defined as being level with the server's lowest rib. However, a new rule was introduced in March 2018, which lowered the maximum height of the shuttlecock during a serve.
The current rule, as stated by the BWF, is that "the whole of the 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 applied in international tournaments but has not yet been universally implemented in clubs and domestic tournaments.
It is important to note that the height requirement is just one aspect of the serve in badminton. Other factors, such as foot placement, angle of the racket, and direction of the serve, also play crucial roles in determining a legal and effective serve.
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Scoring and serving
The service or serve is a crucial part of a badminton player's gameplay. The first serve of a badminton match is determined by a coin toss. The player who serves first does so from the right side of the service court. The basic rule for serving is that a player must hit the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent's side without the shuttlecock touching the net or going out of the court boundaries. The shuttlecock should be struck below the waist, and the server's feet must be in contact with the ground and not touching any lines. The serve must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line. The serve is an important part of a player's gameplay, and different players have different styles of serving. For instance, Olympic gold medallist Carolina Marin serves left-handed, presenting her own set of challenges depending on the angle of the shuttlecock's arrival.
In terms of scoring, a point is awarded for every rally won, and the winner of the previous rally serves at the start of the next point. A rally is defined as a series of shots exchanged between teams until the shuttlecock touches the ground, hits the net, or goes out of bounds. If the shuttlecock hits the net but goes over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. Conversely, if it hits the net and lands short of the service line or out of court, the receiver wins the point. A game is played until one side reaches 21 points, with a two-point difference to win. A match consists of three games.
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Boundaries
The boundaries of a badminton court differ depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played. In singles matches, the court is thinner, and the outside tramlines are out of bounds. In doubles, the full width of the court is in bounds, and the tramlines are considered 'in'. During the service in doubles, the rear tramlines are out of bounds until the serve is returned, at which point the whole court becomes in play. If the shuttlecock lands on a line, it is considered in bounds.
When serving, the server must stand in their half of the court, with no part of their feet touching any lines. They can stand anywhere within their half, even in the tramlines, as long as they are not touching any lines or are outside the playing court. The shuttlecock must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court and over their front service line (the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net). The shuttlecock must also be struck below waist height, with the base of the shuttle (the cork) making contact with the racket first. This rule was introduced to prevent players from gaining an advantage by hitting the feathers of the shuttlecock first and creating excessive spin.
In terms of time boundaries, there is currently no official time limit for serving in badminton. However, players have been faulted for taking too long, and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rules state that "neither side shall cause undue delay to the delivery of the service once the server and receiver are ready".
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Frequently asked questions
The shuttlecock must land in the opponent's half court and over their front service line. If the shuttlecock touches the net but goes over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. If it lands short of the service line or wide of the court, the receiver wins the point.
If the shuttlecock lands on a line, it is considered in.
The server can stand anywhere on their side of the court, as long as they are not touching any of the lines or are outside of the playing court.
The shuttlecock should be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court. The server's racket head and shaft must be angled in a downward direction, and the shuttlecock must be below the waist when struck.
