BADMINTON

The Laws of Badminton and Competition Regulations in the BWF Statutes provide the detail on every
aspect of the game of badminton.
Below is a brief overview - simplified rules.
Scoring System
o

A match consists of the best of 3 games of 21 points.

Every time there is a serve there is a point scored.

The side winning a rally adds a point to its score.

At 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game.

At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point, wins that game.

The side winning a game serves first in the next game.

Interval and Change of Ends

o

When the leading score reaches 11 points, players have a 60 second interval.

A 2 minute interval between each game is allowed.

In the third game, players change ends when the leading score reaches 11 points.

Singles
o

At the beginning of the game (0-0) and when the servers score is even, the server serves
from the right service court. When the servers score is odd, the server serves from the left
service court.

If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and then serves again from the alternate
service court.

If the receiver wins a rally, the receiver scores a point and becomes the new server. They
serve from the appropriate service court left if their score is odd, and right if it is even.
Doubles

A side has only one service.

The service passes consecutively to the players as shown in the diagram.

At the beginning of the game and when the score is even, the server serves from the right
service court. When it is odd, the server serves from the left court.

If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point and the same server serves
again from the alternate service court.

If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side becomes
the new serving side.

The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side
is serving.

If players commit an error in the service court, the error is corrected when the mistake is discovered.

In a doubles match between A & B against C & D. A & B won the toss and decided to serve. A to serve
to C. A shall be the initial server while C shall be the initial receiver.

Course of action /
Explanation

Score

Service from
Service Court

Server &
Receiver

Winner of
the rally

Love Right Service Court.

A serves A &
All
Being the score of the to C A
B
serving side is even.
and C are
the initial
server
and
receiver.
A & B win a point. A & B will change service 1-0
courts. A serves again from Left service
court. C & D will stay in the same service
courts.

Left Service Court.

A serves C &
Being the score of the to D
D
serving side is odd

C & D win a point and also right to serve.

Nobody will change their respective service
courts.

1-1

Left Service Court.

D serves A &
Being the score of the to A.
B
serving side is odd.

A & B win a point and also right to serve.

Nobody will change their respective service
courts.

2-1

Right Service Court.

B serves C &
Being the score of the to C
D
serving side is even.

C & D win a point and also right to serve.

Nobody will change their respective service
courts.

2-2

Right Service Court.

C serves C &
Being the score of the to B
D
serving side is even.

C & D win a point. C & D will change service 3-2

courts. C serves from Left service court. A &
B will stay in the same service courts.

Left Service Court.

C serves A &
Being the score of the to A
B
serving side is odd.

A & B win a point and also right to serve.

Nobody will change their respective service
courts.

3-3

Left Service Court.

A serves A &
Being the score of the to C
B
serving side is odd.

A & B win a point. A & B will change service 4-3

courts. A serves again from Right service
court. C & D will stay in the same service
courts.

Right Service Court.

A serves C &
Being the score of the to D
D
serving side is even.

Note that this means:

o

The order of server depends on the score odd or even same as in singles.

The service courts are changed by the servicing side only when a point is scored. In all other
cases, the players continue to stay in their respective service court from where they played
previous rally. This shall guarantee alternate server.

Badminton Rules: Doubles whats in and whats out?

During the main part of a badminton doubles rally, every part of the court is in.

However, the serve must fall into the short and fat area diagonally opposite the
server. The side tramlines are in, but the rear tramlines are out during the serve. (See

diagram above,
This means that a singles player and a doubles player have similar amount of court
to cover when receiving serve (the service area in singles is 24.4m , while in doubles it is
2

24.2m ).
The short and wide doubles service area makes it harder to catch an opponent out
2

with a flick serve, therefore allowing the service receiver to stand further forward and
attack the short serves as aggressively as possible. Which makes doubles
rallies fast and aggressive right from the first stroke.

Common Questions about Badminton Rules

Is your question still unanswered? Submit it in the comments and Ill answer it.
Ceiling

1.

What is the minimum height for a badminton court?

There is no minimum height for a court specified in badmintons rules, but ideally it
should be high enough so that clears and high serves in singles have no chance of
hitting the ceiling.

2.

So what happens if the shuttlecock hits the ceiling in badminton?

There is no fixed rule for what happens if a shuttlecock hits the ceiling, it varies from
club to club. Typically hitting fixtures such as lights or basketball apparatus will be a let
and the point will be replayed, while hitting the ceiling itself will be a fault. In matches the
home side should specify their precise rules at the start.

Service

3.

Who serves first in a badminton game?

At most clubs, it is normal practice to decide who serves first by hitting the shuttlecock
up into the air. Whichever side the shuttlecock points to goes first. However, the rules
say that the decision is made by a coin toss and this is how the decision is made in
professional matches.

4.

How do you tell if your opponent is ready to receive serve?

The convention is that a player is considered ready once their racket is up, they have
stopped moving and they have made eye contact with the server.

5.

If I miss the shuttlecock when I try to serve can I serve again?

Strictly speaking no. If you attempt to serve and miss the shuttlecock, the rules say this
is a fault:
9.1.9 in attempting to serve, the server shall not miss the shuttle.

6.

If a the shuttlecock touches the top of the net when you serve but falls into the
service area is this a let and the service replayed?
In this situation the server would win the point it is not a let when the shuttlecock hits
the net at any part of the game, including the serve. The only exception is if the
shuttlecock gets stuck on the net, see below for the rules when this happens.

7.

When serving is it a fault if the frame of the racket strikes the shuttlecock and
not the strings?
Its not a fault to hit the frame with a serve, as long as you only hit the shuttlecock once
and you dont hook/scoop the shuttle.

8.

When serving in doubles, can you stand within the sidelines?

In doubles the service court is extended to the sidelines, so you may serve from there as
long as you dont stand on the outer sideline:

9.1.2 the server and the receiver shall stand within diagonally opposite service courts
(Diagram A) without touching the boundary lines of these service courts;
9.

Can 2 players be in the same court while receiving a serve?

Yes, as long as the receivers partner doesnt block the servers view of the receiver:
9.5 In doubles, during the delivery of service, the partners may take up any positions
within their respective courts, which do not unsight the opposing server or receiver.
Faults

10.

What happens if the shuttlecock gets stuck on the net?

a) On the serve its a fault if the shuttlecock:
13.2.1 is caught on the net and remains suspended on its top;
13.2.2 after passing over the net, is caught in the net;
b) After the serve, its a fault if the shuttlecock:
13.3.3 fails to pass over the net; and its a let if the shuttlecock is:
14.2.3.1 caught on the net and remains suspended on its top, or
14.2.3.2 after passing over the net is caught in the net;

11.

Is a scoop shot a fault in badminton?

Its a fault if during play, the shuttle:
13.3.7 is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke;

12.

Is it a fault to hit the net with the racket in the follow-through of a stroke?
Yes, its always a fault if you hit the net with your racket during play.

13.

Is it a fault if your racket crosses the net?

Its a fault if a player:
13.4.2 invades an opponents court over the net with racket or person except that the
striker may follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke after
the initial point of contact with the shuttle is on the strikers side of the net;

14.

If the shuttlecock lands so the shuttle head is outside the line but the feathers
are on the line, is the shuttlecock out?
Yes.

15.

Is it legal, as youre about to lose the point from a disadvantaged position at

the net, to merely stick your racket up to block the shuttle?
Yes, its legal to try and block the shuttle like that as long as your racket isnt on your
opponents side of the net when the shuttle hits it, then you can have your eyes shut, be
hiding and still legally return the shuttle and even win the point!
Having said that, rule 13.4.4 says its a fault if a player obstructs an opponent, i.e.
prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the
net;.
In other words, its actually a fault to hold your racket up so close to the net that it gets in
the way of your opponents swing (dont forget its legal for your opponents stroke to
finish on your side of the net as long as they hit the shuttle on their side and dont hit the
net in the process).
In practice this rule rarely comes into play it just means dont take the mickey and hold
the racket up so close to the net that its right under your opponents nose.
General

16.

Whats the maximum points that a winner can obtain in each set?
A winner normally plays to 21 points, but to win you have to be at least 2 points ahead,
up to a maximum of 30 points; which is the maximum a winner can obtain.

17.

If Im watching my team play, can I give them advice during a match?

16.5.1 Only when the shuttle is not in play (Law 15), shall a player be permitted to
receive advice during a match.

18.

How should you test a shuttlecock for speed?

3.1 To test a shuttle, a player shall use a full underhand stroke which makes contact with
the shuttle over the back boundary line. The shuttle shall be hit at an upward angle and
in a direction parallel to the side lines. Also see this video about testing the speed of the
shuttle.
19.

Whats the maximum time youre allowed between rallies?

There is no time limit but a badminton game is meant to be played continuously so it as
the umpires discretion to hasten the players when necessary. The rules talk about
delays and allowed intervals:
16.4 Delay in play
16.4.1 Under no circumstances shall play be delayed to enable a player to recover
strength or wind or to receive advice.
16.4.2 The umpire shall be the sole judge of any delay in play.
16.1 Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, except
as allowed in Laws 16.2 and 16.3.
16.2 Intervals
16.2.1 not exceeding 60 seconds during each game when the leading score reaches 11
points; and
16.2.2 not exceeding 120 seconds between the first and second game, and between the
second and third game shall be allowed in all matches. (For a televised match, the
Referee may decide before the match that intervals as in Law 16.2 are mandatory and
of fixed duration).