RULES OF BADMINTON
Here are just some basic rules for the sport of badminton.
Toss
Badminton Facilities
Badminton Court Dimensions
The overall dimensions is 20 feet by 44 feet, marking the sidelines for doubles play and long service lines for singles play.
The Net Line
The net line marks the middle of the court where the net is placed, creating a 22 feet by 20 feet area on each side of the net.
The Badminton Net
The top of the badminton net is hung 5 feet above in the center net line.
Short Service Line
The short service line is marked 6 feet 6 inches from the center line. The area inside the short service line is also called the Non Volley Zone.
Center Line
The Center Line is the line that divides the court from the Short Service Line to the Back Boundary Line. This delineates the Left from Right Service Court.
Side Line for Singles Play
The Singles Side Line is marked 1 1/2 feet from the edge of the outer boundary (doubles side line)
Back Boundary Line and Long Service Line for Singles
The back boundary line is the same for singles and doubles play it is the outermost back line on the court.
Long Service Line for Doubles
The Long Service line for Doubles is marked 2 1/2 feet inside the Back Boundary Line.
Here are just some basic rules for the sport of badminton.
Toss
- The winner of the toss can elect to serve or receive in the first game, or to choose to play at a particular end of the court. The loser of the toss makes the remaining choice.
- You win a rally if you hit the shuttle over the net and onto the floor of the opposing side's court.
- You lose the rally if you hit the shuttle into the net, or over the net but outside of the opposing side's court. You also lose the rally if, for example, the shuttle touches you or your clothing, or if you hit it before it crosses the net.
- The service courts are slightly different for singles and doubles. A shuttle on the line is "in". The server and receiver stand in the diagonally opposite service courts (always right hand at the start of the game) but after the serve players may move anywhere on their side of the net. The server must obey laws designed to force underhand delivery of the serve, and the receiver must stand still until the service is struck.
- Matches comprise of the best of three games. Each game starts at 0-0 (called "love-all"). If the serving side wins a rally, it scores a point, and serves again but from the alternate service court.
If the receiving side wins the rally, the score remains unchanged and the service passes to the next player in turn. In singles, this is the opponent: in double it's either the partner or, if both players have just had a turn of serving, one of the opponents. - In men's singles and doubles events, 15 points wins a game. However, if the score reaches 14-14, the side which first reached 14 can choose either to play to 15, or to set the game to 17 points.
The final score will reflect the sum of the points won before setting plus the points gained in setting. - Scoring in women's singles is slightly different - 11 points wins a game and there is the option to set to 13 points at 10-10.
- Players change ends at the end of a game and when the leading score reaches 8 in a game of 15 points (or 6 in a game of 11 points) in the third game. A five minute interval is allowed prior to any third game.
Badminton Facilities
Badminton Court Dimensions
The overall dimensions is 20 feet by 44 feet, marking the sidelines for doubles play and long service lines for singles play.
The Net Line
The net line marks the middle of the court where the net is placed, creating a 22 feet by 20 feet area on each side of the net.
The Badminton Net
The top of the badminton net is hung 5 feet above in the center net line.
Short Service Line
The short service line is marked 6 feet 6 inches from the center line. The area inside the short service line is also called the Non Volley Zone.
Center Line
The Center Line is the line that divides the court from the Short Service Line to the Back Boundary Line. This delineates the Left from Right Service Court.
Side Line for Singles Play
The Singles Side Line is marked 1 1/2 feet from the edge of the outer boundary (doubles side line)
Back Boundary Line and Long Service Line for Singles
The back boundary line is the same for singles and doubles play it is the outermost back line on the court.
Long Service Line for Doubles
The Long Service line for Doubles is marked 2 1/2 feet inside the Back Boundary Line.