Badminton Rules

Badminton is a popular racquet sport that is played by people of all ages and skill levels around the world. The game is played with a shuttlecock, which is hit back and forth across a net by two or four players. If you are interested in playing badminton, it is important to understand the rules of the game.

Here are the basic rules of badminton.

Court Dimensions

The badminton court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide for singles matches, and 44 feet long and 22 feet wide for doubles matches. The net is hung at 5 feet in the center and 5 feet 1 inch at the edges. The court is divided into two halves by a centerline and each half is further divided into two service courts by a short service line.

Serving

The game begins with a serve, which is hit from the server’s service court to the receiver’s service court. In singles play, the server serves from the right service court when the score is even and from the left service court when the score is odd. In doubles play, the server serves from the right service court when his or her team has an even score and from the left service court when the team has an odd score.

Scoring

In badminton, a point is scored when the shuttlecock lands on the opponent’s side of the court or when the opponent fails to return the shuttlecock over the net. The first player or team to score 21 points wins the game, but they must win by at least two points. If the score is tied at 20-20, the game continues until one player or team has a two-point advantage.

Faults

A fault is committed when a player violates one of the rules of the game. The most common faults in badminton include:

  • Touching the shuttlecock with the racquet before it has crossed the net
  • Hitting the shuttlecock outside the court boundaries
  • Hitting the shuttlecock into the net or hitting the net with the racquet
  • Stepping into the opponent’s court while hitting the shuttlecock
  • Serving or receiving out of turn

Let

If the shuttlecock hits the net during a serve and lands in the correct service court, it is called a let and the serve is replayed. A let is also called if the shuttlecock hits the ceiling, lights, or any other object hanging above the court.

Conclusion

Badminton is a fun and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Understanding the rules of the game is essential for anyone who wants to play badminton competitively or recreationally. With these basic rules in mind, you can start playing badminton and enjoying all the benefits that come with it.

Badminton Rules FAQ

  1. What are the dimensions of a badminton court?
    The badminton court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide for singles matches, and 44 feet long and 22 feet wide for doubles matches.
  2. How is the serving position determined in badminton?
    In singles play, the server serves from the right service court when the score is even and from the left service court when the score is odd. In doubles play, the server serves from the right service court when his or her team has an even score and from the left service court when the team has an odd score.
  3. What are the common faults in badminton?
    The most common faults in badminton include touching the shuttlecock with the racquet before it has crossed the net, hitting the shuttlecock outside the court boundaries, hitting the shuttlecock into the net or hitting the net with the racquet, stepping into the opponent’s court while hitting the shuttlecock and serving or receiving out of turn.
  4. What is a let in badminton?
    If the shuttlecock hits the net during a serve and lands in the correct service court, it is called a let, and the serve is replayed. A let is also called if the shuttlecock hits the ceiling, lights, or any other object hanging above the court.