Last updated on September 16th, 2021 at 04:29 am
There really are a lot of badminton rules to get your head around if you are just starting out. The aim here is to simplify them and empower the player by presenting only the most essential aspects of the rules and regulations.
If you decide to take your game to the next level and play in local leagues you will no doubt want to join a club. From there you will soon pick up the rest of the rather wordy rules and regulations that cover every eventuality. However you really don’t need to know much of this when just starting out.
Two of the most commonly ask questions are, how do you play badminton? and what are the rules of badminton? Let’s answer those exact questions right now.
Badminton Rules Basics – How To Play Badminton
How is badminton played? There are five forms of the sport:
- Men’s Singles
- Women’s Singles
- Men’s Doubles
- Women’s Doubles
- Mixed Doubles (Men & Women)
A singles match consists of two player’s one person on each side of the court. A doubles match consists of four players with two people per side of the badminton court.
Equipment: Height Of The Badminton Net
The height of the net needs to be 1.524 metres (5ft) at the centre of the court and 1.55 metres (5ft 1 inch) over the side lines for doubles (outside edges).
Scoring System
- Matches consist of the best of three games.
- A game is won when a side reaches 21 points.
- One point is awarded to the side winning a rally.
- Should the score become tied at 20-all, the side which gains a two point lead first, shall win that game.
- If the score become tied at 29-all, the side scoring the next point (30th point) wins that game.
- The side winning a game serves first in the next game.
Changing Ends
- Players change ends at the end of the first game.
- A change also occurs at the end of the second game should there be a third game.
- A further change is also required within the third game upon the first side acquiring 11 points.
Badminton Service Rules
- The server and the receiver stand diagonally in opposite service courts. They should avoid touching the boundary lines of the service courts.
- Part of the feet of the server & receiver should remain in direct contact with the court in a stationary position until the service is started.
- The flight of the shuttle needs to move upwards from the server’s racket in order to pass over the net so it will arrive in the receiver’s service court.
- In doubles partners can take up any positions within their respective courts, providing they do not unsight the opposing server / receiver.
Badminton Service Rules: Singles
Serving & Receiving
- Players will serve from & receive in their respective right service courts when the server has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game.
- The players will serve from & receive in, their respective left service courts when the server has scored an odd number of points in that game.
Badminton Service Rules: Doubles
Serving & Receiving
- Players of the serving side serve from the right service court when the serving side has not scored or has scored an even number of points in that game.
- A player of the serving side serves from the left service court when the serving side has scored an odd number of points in that game.
- The player of the receiving side who served last will stay in the same service court from where they last served.
- The reverse pattern must apply to the receiver’s partner.
- Players don’t change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving.
- The sequence of serving passes consecutively from the initial server who started the game from the right service court to the partner of the initial receiver.
- Either player of the winning side can serve first in the next game & either player of the losing side can receive first in the next game.
Badminton Rules On Service Faults
Faults include things such as the shuttle failing to pass over the net or it hitting the ceiling. The most common is the shuttle landing outside the boundaries of the court.
FAQ’s
When the shuttlecock lands on the line is it considered in?
Yes – If the head of the shuttlecock touches the line it is considered to be inside the court.
Is double touch allowed in badminton?
No – After you have touch the shuttle once the next touch or contact must come from your opponent.
Now you know the rules of badminton why not take a look at more information & help with sport with these informative articles:
- 9 Common Badminton Injuries
- Skills & Techniques for Beginners
- Top 5 Badminton Shots
- The Different Types of Shuttlecock
Final Thoughts: Badminton Rules for Beginners
Hopefully this simplified look at the basic rules is not too off putting and helps you get ready to hit the court. It covers all the main points and should make both playing and watching easier to understand.
If you’re playing at school or at a club then you will be given lots of instruction into how the rules of the sport are applied.
Hopefully you now how to play badminton and we have answered the most important question:
What are the rules of badminton?
Remember the most important thing is to enjoy playing and you will soon pick up the main points. How is badminton played? Now you know!
For those of you wanting to see the full rules & regulations you can head over to the BWF.
