General Badminton Rules

Badminton is a fast-paced game that can be played by two or four players. The basic rules and techniques are quick to learn and the equipment is minimal. All that is needed is a net with supports, a couple of rackets, and a shuttle, or "birdie." Whether you play recreational or professional badminton, you still need to know the rules.

  1. Starting the Game

    • At the start of the game, a coin toss will determine which player will serve. If you win the toss, you have two choices. You can elect to serve or receive, and choose which end of the court you want to start play.

    Serving

    • The server must stand behind the service line at the start of the serve. The first point is served from the right side of the court and must go cross-court into the opponent's court. The server continues to serve until he loses a point. If the server loses the rally, the receiver wins the point and becomes the server. When a server's total number of points scored is even, the server serves from the right side of the court, and when it is odd, the server serves from the left side of the court.

    Scoring

    • A badminton match consists of two out of three games. The side who wins 21 points first is declared the winner of that game. If the score becomes tied at 20, the first side to score two points and have a two point lead, wins the game. If the game reaches a tie of 29, the winner of the next point will determine the winner of the game. A point is scored on every serve. If a server or side wins the rally, or wins the rally because the opponent has committed a "fault," the server or side wins a point.

    Fault Examples

    • It is a fault if a player's racket touches the net during a point. If a serve was not delivered in the correct manner, a fault can be called on the server. A player is not allowed to step under the net onto the opponent's court. A shuttle that gets caught in the net or passes under the net is called a fault. If the game is played indoors, a shuttle is not allowed to touch the ceiling or walls.

    Singles and Doubles

    • Whether you are playing singles or doubles, if the number of points scored by a server or a serving side is an even number, the server or side serves from right to left and when it is odd, the server or side serves from left to right. In singles, a server continues to serve, alternating sides of the court, until he has lost the point. In doubles, only one team player serves until the side loses a point, and then the receiving team serves. The serve alternates between partners every time control of the serve changes.

    Changing Ends

    • There can be a total of three times that players change ends of the court. Players change ends after the first game and second game. If a third game is played, players change ends when one side has scored eleven points.

    Interval

    • An interval, or time break, occurs when one side has reached eleven points. A 60-second break is allowed at this time. A two-minute break is allowed between the first and second game and between the second and third game, if a third game is played.