
Badminton is a racquet sport played between two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles). The first side to score 21 points wins the game, with each side needing a two-point lead to win. Points are scored by striking a shuttlecock, also known as a 'birdie', with a racquet so that it passes over the net and lands inside the opponent's half of the court. The shuttlecock must be hit diagonally and below waist height, with players serving from the right service court if their score is even and from the left if their score is odd.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 (singles) or 4 (doubles) |
| Scoring | First to 21 points wins a game |
| Scoring | Point awarded to winner of each rally |
| Scoring | Games must be won by 2 clear points |
| Scoring | If score reaches 29-29, first to 30 wins |
| Scoring | Each player retains serve as long as they keep winning points |
| Scoring | If receiving side takes the point, they assume serve |
| Court dimensions | Singles: 13.41m long, 5.18m wide |
| Court dimensions | Doubles: 13.41m long, 6.1m wide |
| Service | Serve diagonally into the opponent's service box |
| Service | Serve from the right side if score is even |
| Service | Serve from the left side if score is odd |
| Service | Serve from the right service box at the start |
| Service | Serve must be underarm |
| Service | Shuttlecock must be below waist height when struck |
| Shuttlecock | Made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base |
| Shuttlecock | 62-70mm long and weighs 4.74-5.5g |
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What You'll Learn

The first serve is from the right service box
To start a badminton match, the first serve is made from the right-hand side of the court, also known as the right service box or right service court. This is true for both singles and doubles matches.
In singles, the server always starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. If a player has an odd number of points, they will serve from the left. Each player will continue to serve as long as they keep winning points.
In doubles, the server will start on the right and keep serving from that side, alternating with their partner, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, the player who did not initially serve will then serve from the right service court.
The service must be hit diagonally into the opponent's service box, which is the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net. The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, must be hit below waist height.
It is important to note that players must be inside the lines of their respective service courts at the point of contact during the serve.
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Serve diagonally to the opponent's half court
To start a badminton match, the server begins by standing in the right service court and performing the serve from that side. This is true for both singles and doubles matches. The server must then hit the shuttle 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. The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is a cone-shaped projectile made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. It must be struck below waist height.
The side of the court from which the serve is performed depends on the server's score. If the server has an even number of points (0, 2, 4, etc.), they will serve from the right court. If they have an odd number of points (1, 3, 5, etc.), they will serve from the left court. In badminton doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving while alternating sides with their partner as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, the player who did not initially serve will assume the serve.
It is important to note that players must remain stationary until the serve is made. Additionally, all players must be inside the lines of their respective service courts during the serve. A rally is won when the shuttlecock lands in the opponent's court or if the opponent fails to return it over the net and within the court boundaries. A point is awarded for each rally won, and the winner of the rally serves to start the next point.
In the third game of a match, players change ends when one side reaches 11 points. The first side to reach 21 points wins a game, and a match is typically played as the best of three games. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side has a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, a sudden death point is played to determine the winner.
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Serve with an underarm stroke
To start a badminton match, players stand on opposite halves of a rectangular court divided by a net. The game begins with a serve, which must be hit so that it passes over the net and lands in the opponent's half of the court.
The underarm stroke is a fairly easy shot to perform in badminton, and it is usually done when your opponent hits a drop shot to your front court. It is generally performed with a gentle swing of the racket, and does not require a lot of strength.
To serve with an underarm stroke, start by adopting the badminton forehand grip. Ensure that you do not grip the racket too tightly, so that your wrist remains flexible and can be mobilized for a quick flick. Your body should be slightly bent forward to maintain balance.
Next, commence the underarm swing. The swing should be one smooth motion until your racket is swung upwards. As you are about to hit the shuttlecock, gently flick your wrist to generate power. The wrist action is important and contributes to the power of the stroke.
After you have hit the shuttlecock, allow your racket to follow through. This will help create a better quality flight trajectory of the shuttlecock.
It is important to remember not to exert too much strength into your underarm stroke. The power of the stroke comes from the technique, not strength.
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Serve from the left box when the score is odd
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles). The rules for serving in badminton vary depending on whether you are playing singles or doubles. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side whenever they have an even number of points. When the server's score is odd, they will serve from the left box. For example, if a player has scored an odd number of points, such as 1, 3, or 5, they will serve from the left service box. Each player will continue to serve as long as they keep winning points.
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 the point, they will then take over serving. In subsequent serves, the player who did not initially serve for each team will only assume the serve once their side has won a point as the receiving side.
It is important to note that 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. The shuttlecock, also known as the "birdie," must be hit below waist height. Additionally, all players must be inside the lines in their respective service courts at the point of contact during the serve.
In terms of scoring, a point is awarded for every rally that is won, and the winner of the previous rally serves at the start of the next point. The first side to reach 21 points wins a game, but they must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, a sudden death point is played to determine the winner.
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Serve from the right box when the score is even
The rules of badminton dictate that the player always serves from the right service box at the start of a match, as zero is an even number. The receiver's position is determined by the server's score and, by extension, their position. The receiver must stand in the diagonally opposite service box. Therefore, if the server is in the right service box, the receiver must be in the left service box.
The server's position alternates between the right and left service boxes with each point scored. This means that if the serving side wins a point, the server will switch to the other service box. If the receiving side wins the point, the serve will pass to their player, who will serve from the opposite service box to the previous server. For example, if the previous server was serving from the right service box, the new server will serve from the left service box.
It is important to note that a player's partner does not have to stay within the same service box. The partner can stand anywhere on the court, including in either service box. However, the receiver must remain in their service box until they serve.
In casual games, it is common to determine which side serves first by tossing the shuttlecock into the air and seeing which side it points towards. In more formal tournaments, a coin toss is usually used to decide the first server.
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Frequently asked questions
The player starts the game by serving from the service box on the right.
The first serve is made from the right side of the court, also known as the server's side.
For a singles match, the court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide.
In a doubles match, the server starts on the right-hand side. They keep serving and alternating sides with their partner as long as they keep winning points.
A badminton match is usually played as the best of three games, with each game going to 21 points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first team to score 30 points wins.











































