So, you’ve been invited by your bestie to the local court for a game of badminton. You’ve agreed, but have no idea of the rules. Well, apart from hitting a shuttlecock over a net.
Or perhaps you’re a casual player—often questioning the dubious regulations stated by your (most likely cheating) opponent—and want confirmation of the facts.
My friend—I have you covered.
Here’s a quick yet detailed summary of the badminton rules.
Key Badminton Rules:
- Played on a court 20 feet by 44 feet.
- A match is the best of three games, each of 21 points.
- A point can be won by the server or receiver.
- At 20-20, the side first to achieve a two-point lead wins.
History of Badminton Rules and Regulations
The Badminton Association of England published the first-ever official Badminton Rules and Regulations on the 13th September 1893 at 6 Waverley Grove, Portsmouth.
They developed them from the rules of Poona—an Indian game very similar to the modern game of badminton.
Today, while modified and improved, the current regulations are remarkably similar to those from over 100 years ago.
Basic Rules of Badminton
If you love reading, have a spare day and are particularly anally retentive—you can peruse the complete Badminton regulations as approved by the Badminton World Federation.
However, extending over five chapters—and including such thrilling themes as governance, judicial processes and approved clothing—it can be heavy going.
Hence, instead, here are the condensed basic rules of badminton.
The Object of the Game
The idea is to hit the shuttlecock over the net to land within the court boundaries.
Your opponent aims to return the shuttle before it hits the floor, starting a rally. You receive a point when your opponent fails to return the shuttlecock or commits another fault.
The first person to achieve 21 points wins the game. You play the match as the best of three games.
Players
You can play badminton in singles, doubles, or mixed doubles.
While the badminton rules are generally the same for all forms of the game—specific differences apply to court size and serving procedures in doubles matches.
The Court
You play badminton on a court measuring 20 feet by 44 feet (6.1 meters by 13.4 meters). In the center of the court is a net at the height of five feet one inch.
However, inside these boundaries are further tramlines—1.5 feet inside the sidelines and 2.5 feet from the baselines.
These additional markings separate the areas for singles and doubles play.
Starting the Game
In tournament play, the badminton rules dictate that the officiating umpire tosses a coin to decide who serves first.
However, if you’re playing casually, you’re unlikely to have a match official or be carrying loose change onto the court.
Instead, one player throws the shuttlecock into the air, and whichever side of the court it points to when it hits the floor, gains the serve. Alternatively, at my club, we use a quick round of rock paper scissors.
Badminton Service Rules
Service Courts
Either side of the net is two boxed areas—known as the service courts.
These boxed areas are delineated by:
- Front service line.
- Centerline.
- Backline
- Singles sideline.
At the beginning of the game, the server uses the service court on the right-hand side, serving to the opponent in their right service court. When the server’s score is an odd number, he or she will then use the left service court.
In doubles, the service courts are wider—using the outermost doubles sideline. However, they’re also shorter using the inside baseline.
You serve the shuttle diagonally across the court. In the case of doubles, only the designated receiver can play the return, not their partner.
As the number of lines may initially appear a little complicated—here’s a video explaining all the different markings:
The Serve
There are four main badminton service rules:
- Server stands inside the service court.
- Receiver stands diagonally opposite the server.
- Serve must travel diagonally over the net.
- The server must strike the shuttlecock from below waist height.
The serve, if not returned, should land in the receiver’s service court. If the receiver sees that the shuttle will fall outside this area—they should avoid returning the shot. However, if they choose to hit this otherwise ‘out’ shuttlecock—the rally continues.
Whenever the receiver wins a point, they then become the server. Again, serving from the right-hand side if their score is even, and left hand if their score is odd.
In badminton doubles rules, the order of serving and receiving is a little more complex (as there are more players). However, here’s a graphic representation that explains the process clearly.
Additionally, take a look at this short video detailing the doubles’ serving process:
Scoring
You receive a point in badminton when your opponent:
- Hits the shuttlecock outside of the court boundaries.
- Strikes the shuttlecock into the net.
- Cannot return the shuttlecock over the net.
- Fails to return the shuttlecock before it strikes the ground (inside the court lines).
Additionally, you’ll gain a point if your opponent commits any of the following faults:
Contact Fault
A contact fault occurs when your opponent hits the net with their racquet or body—or strikes the shuttlecock with anything other than the racquet. So, for example, you’re forbidden from kicking the shuttle as a return shot.
Over-the-Net Fault
An over-the-net fault happens when your opponent leans over the net and strikes the shuttlecock with their racquet while it is still on your side of the court.
However, if they hit the shuttle on their side of the court, but their follow-through action means their racquet passes over the net—this isn’t a fault, as they hit the shuttle on their side.
Receivers Fault
When you’re serving, your opponent mustn’t move their feet until after you’ve struck the shuttle.
Double Hit
Your opponent can only hit the shuttle once to return it over the net.
Other Faults
Should your opponent deliberately try to distract you, or the shuttle becomes caught in their racquet, then ‘flung’ over the net—this constitutes a fault.
Switching Court Sides
Under both badminton singles rules, and the doubles regulations, the winner(s) of the coin toss decides on which side of the court to play from.
Players switch sides when:
- They’ve completed the first game.
- At the end of the second game—if they require a third game to determine the winner.
- When the first player (or team) reaches eleven points during the third game.
Intervals
The badminton rules indicate that a break from play occurs when:
- One side reaches eleven points, you are permitted to take a 60-second interval.
- After the completion of a game, players are allowed to take a two-minute break before commencing the next.
However, depending upon your fitness (or lack of)—you may wish to increase your rest periods.
Lets
In competition, the umpire may call a ‘let’ if accidental or unforeseen circumstances occur. In casual games, the players should decide beforehand what falls under this heading.
Often, it includes such occurrences as:
- Serving out of turn.
- The shuttle getting stuck in an overhead light fitting.
- The receiver not being ready when the server takes a shot.
- A close line call.
- The shuttlecock becoming caught in the net or racquet.
Winning the Game
The first player, or team in doubles, to reach 21 points wins that particular game. The winner of the match is the first side to win two games.
However, if you play recreationally, especially with people who have been enjoying the sport as a hobby for many years—you may find they play to 15 points for men and 11 for women.
These were the old scoring rules of badminton, which the Badminton World Federation changed in 2006.
Should the game reach a score of 20-20—two particular badminton rules apply:
- The side which achieves a two-point lead first (22-20, 26-24, etc.) wins the game.
- If the score reaches 29-29, the winner of the next point takes the game.
Whichever side that wins the game is the first to serve in any consecutive games.
Smashing it Home
Now you know all the key badminton rules.
But remember—enjoy it, don’t become stuck in technicalities.
If you’re in a competition, naturally adhere like glue to the rules. But, if playing casually—you can allow yourself a modicum of license.
Adjusting the number of games, increasing break times and being more forgiving on lets, isn’t going to land you in trouble with the badminton police.
Now get on the court and start a racquet.