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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
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.
When the leading score reaches 11 points, players have a 60 second interval.
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
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
1-1
2-1
2-2
3-3
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.
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.
1.
2.
Service
3.
4.
5.
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.
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.
10.
11.
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.
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.
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.
18.
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.