Badminton is one of the most popular racket sports in the world thanks to its fast pace, easy accessibility, and simple equipment requirements. However, to truly enjoy the game, play fairly, and avoid unnecessary disputes on court, understanding the badminton rules is essential.
In this guide, we’ll break down the official rules of badminton, covering scoring, serving rules, common faults, court dimensions, and the basic differences between singles and doubles play. This article is especially suitable for beginners and recreational players who want to better understand the badminton rules before stepping onto the court.
Basic Objective of Badminton
Before learning detailed rules, it’s important to understand the main objective of badminton. Knowing how points are won helps players quickly grasp how rallies and matches flow.
- Players score points by hitting the shuttlecock over the net so that it lands inside the opponent’s court.
- A rally ends when the shuttlecock touches the ground or when a fault is committed by either side.
- Each side is allowed only one hit to return the shuttlecock over the net, which makes timing and shot selection extremely important.
Badminton Scoring System
The scoring system in badminton is simple and consistent across most levels of play. It uses a rally-based format, meaning every rally matters.
Rally Scoring
- A point is awarded on every rally, regardless of which side served.
- A player or team wins a rally when: The shuttlecock lands in the opponent’s court, or the opponent commits a fault, such as hitting the shuttle out or into the net.
Games and Matches
- A game is played to 21 points.
- A player must win by at least 2 points (for example, 21-19 or 22-20).
- If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score 30 points wins the game.
- A match consists of the best of three games, meaning the first player or team to win two games wins the match.
Start of Play
Every badminton match begins with a simple decision-making process to determine who will serve first and which side of the court will be used. Before play starts, a coin toss is conducted, and the winner is given the choice to either serve first or receive first, or to select their preferred side of the court. The losing side then takes the remaining option. In subsequent games of the match, the side that wins the previous game earns the right to serve first, helping maintain fairness and a smooth flow throughout the match.
Badminton Serving Rules
Serving is one of the most strictly regulated parts of badminton rules, as it directly affects how a rally starts. Incorrect serving often leads to disputes, especially among beginners.
How to Serve Correctly
- The serve must be underhand, not overhand.
- The shuttlecock must be hit below the server’s waist at the moment of contact.
- The racket shaft must point downward, with the racket head clearly below the hand.
- The serve must travel diagonally into the opponent’s service court to be valid.
Service Position
Both the server and the receiver must follow strict positioning rules during the serve to ensure fair play. Each player must stand fully inside their correct service court, facing the net, without stepping into the wrong service box. Both feet must remain in contact with the floor at the moment the shuttle is struck, meaning jumping, lifting a foot, or shifting position early is not allowed. Additionally, no part of either foot may touch the boundary lines of the service court until the shuttle has been hit by the server. These requirements help maintain consistency and prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage during the serve.
Right Court vs Left Court
Right court and left court is determined entirely by the server’s score during the game. When the server has an even score (0, 2, 4…), the serve must be delivered from the right service court. When the server’s score is odd (1, 3, 5…), the serve is made from the left service court. If the server wins the rally, they score a point and continue serving, but must switch to the opposite service court for the next serve, ensuring the correct service position is maintained throughout the game.
During Play: Key Badminton Rules
Once the rally has started, players must follow several fundamental rules to keep the game fair, continuous, and competitive. These rules apply equally in both singles and doubles play and help prevent unfair advantages during fast exchanges.
- Each side may hit the shuttlecock only once before it crosses the net. This means players must return the shuttle in a single, clean stroke, as double hits or assisted shots are not allowed.
- Players cannot catch, carry, or hold the shuttlecock on the racket at any time. The shuttle must be struck cleanly, and any action that involves lifting, scooping, or delaying the shuttle is considered a fault.
- The shuttle must be struck on your own side of the net, although the racket is allowed to follow through over the net after contact. Players may not reach over the net to hit the shuttle before it crosses.
- Touching the net with the racket or body during play is a fault, regardless of whether the contact is intentional or accidental, as long as the rally is still in progress.
- A shuttlecock landing on the line is considered “in”, meaning boundary lines are part of the court and any shuttle that touches them is ruled good.
Common Faults in Badminton
A fault immediately ends the rally and awards a point to the opponent. Understanding common faults helps players avoid unnecessary mistakes, maintain fair play, and improve overall match performance. These errors often occur due to poor technique, positioning, or lack of concentration.
- Touching the net with the body or racket: This usually happens when a player moves too close to the net during a shot. Any contact with the net while the shuttle is in play is considered a fault.
- Hitting the shuttlecock twice in succession: The shuttle must be hit cleanly in one motion. Double hits often result from improper timing or lack of control.
- Reaching over the net to hit the shuttle: Players are only allowed to strike the shuttle on their own side of the court. Reaching over the net interferes with the opponent’s right to play the shot.
- Hitting the shuttle before it crosses the net: Even if the shuttle is close to the net, it must cross to the player’s side before being hit. Failing to wait results in a fault.
- The shuttle landing outside the court boundaries: Shots that fall beyond the marked lines are out. Knowing court boundaries is essential to avoid giving away easy points.
- The shuttle hitting the ceiling or fixed obstructions: In indoor courts, any contact with the ceiling, lights, or other fixed objects immediately ends the rally.
- The shuttle touching a player’s clothing or body: Only the racket is allowed to make contact with the shuttle. Accidental contact with clothing or the body still counts as a fault.
Badminton Court Dimensions
Knowing badminton court dimensions is essential for understanding which areas are considered in or out during play, especially when switching between singles and doubles matches. A singles court measures 44 feet in length and 17 feet in width, making it narrower and requiring more precise shot placement. In contrast, a doubles court is also 44 feet long but wider at 20 feet, allowing teams to use the full width of the court. The net height is 5 feet at the posts, creating a consistent barrier for both formats.
Importantly, the outer side lines are out in singles, while the full width of the court is in play during doubles, which places greater emphasis on positioning, communication, and teamwork between partners.
Singles vs Doubles Rules
Although the core rules are the same, singles and doubles badminton have key differences, especially in serving and positioning.
Badminton Singles
In badminton singles rules, the serving position depends on the current score. Players serve from the right service court when the score is even, and serve from the left service court when the score is odd. If the server wins a rally, they score a point and continue serving, which makes accuracy and consistency in serving especially important in singles matches.
Badminton Doubles
In badminton doubles rules, players must serve diagonally to the opposing player standing in the correct service court. The service order rotates between partners, which helps maintain balance and fairness throughout the match. Teams change service courts only when they win a point while serving, following the official scoring rules. Once the serve is returned, the entire court becomes in play, allowing both partners to move freely and use the full court for attacking and defensive strategies.
Switching Ends and Intervals
To ensure equal playing conditions, badminton includes clear rules regarding rest periods and court switching. A 2-minute break is allowed between games, giving players time to recover, hydrate, and adjust their strategies. In addition, players switch sides at the end of each game to balance external factors such as lighting or airflow. During a deciding match, in the third game, players also switch sides when one side reaches 11 points, helping maintain fairness for both sides throughout the game.
Let Situations
A “let” occurs when play is stopped and the rally is replayed, with no point awarded to either side, ensuring fairness when unexpected interruptions happen. Common let situations include cases where a shuttlecock or player from another court enters the playing area, disrupting the rally, or when there are accidental distractions or interruptions beyond the players’ control, such as sudden noise or movement. In these situations, play resumes by replaying the rally as if it never occurred.
Summary of Badminton Rules
Badminton is played as a best-of-three match, with each game played to 21 points using rally scoring. The serve must be underhand and diagonal, players must avoid touching the net, and only one shot per side is allowed.
Whether playing singles or doubles, understanding these core badminton rules ensures fair play, smoother matches, and a more enjoyable experience on court. This knowledge not only improves performance but also enhances sportsmanship and enjoyment on court, especially during fast-paced rallies.
Beyond rule mastery, proper preparation and suitable sportswear play an important role in supporting on-court performance. Badminton demands quick directional changes, explosive movement, and sustained focus, making comfort and flexibility essential. Olaben’s sportswear collections are designed to support players at every level, offering breathable shorts sleeves shirts for men or fit tops for women that promote agility, and flexible shorts that provide stability without restricting movement. These pieces from women’s and men’s apparel allow players to stay cool, comfortable, and confident throughout training sessions and competitive matches.
To complete the setup, accessories such as headbands help manage sweat and maintain concentration during high-intensity rallies. When a solid understanding of badminton rules is combined with thoughtfully designed apparel from Olaben, players are free to fully embrace the speed, strategy, and intensity that make badminton such a dynamic and rewarding sport.
