Official Badminton Rules
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see our disclosures here.
Badminton is a fast-paced racket sport played on a rectangular court divided by a net. Players or teams use rackets to hit a shuttlecock back and forth over the net, aiming to land it in the opponent's court. Here are the detailed rules for playing badminton:
Equipment:
Rackets: Lightweight rackets with a stringed hitting surface.
Shuttlecock: A feathered or synthetic projectile with an open conical shape.
Net: A net stretched across the center of the court, dividing it into two equal halves.
Court: A rectangular court with boundary lines for singles and doubles play.
Setup:
Court Dimensions:
The badminton court is 20 feet wide for singles and 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for doubles.
The net is positioned in the center of the court, suspended at a height of 5 feet in the center and 5 feet 1 inch at the posts.
Racket Selection:
Players or teams select their rackets and shuttlecocks before the match begins.
Gameplay:
Starting the Game:
A coin toss or another method is used to determine which player or team serves first.
The serving side starts the game from the right service court.
Serving:
The server stands in the right service court and serves diagonally to the opponent's right service court.
The server must hit the shuttlecock below waist height and ensure it passes over the net and lands in the opponent's service court.
Rally:
After the serve, players or teams hit the shuttlecock back and forth over the net, aiming to land it in the opponent's court.
The shuttlecock may only be hit once before it must be returned over the net.
Scoring Points:
Players or teams score points when the shuttlecock lands in the opponent's court, either by a fault on the opponent's part or by a successful rally.
Points are scored regardless of which side serves.
Faults:
Faults occur when a player:
Fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net.
Hits the shuttlecock out of bounds.
Fails to return the shuttlecock before it touches the ground.
Commits other rule violations, such as touching the net or obstructing the opponent.
Rotation:
In doubles play, players rotate positions after each point is scored, with the server moving to the other service court.
Winning the Game:
A game is won by the first player or team to reach 21 points, with a margin of at least 2 points.
A match typically consists of the best of three games.
Additional Rules and Tips:
Service Rotation: In doubles play, players rotate positions after each point is scored, with the server moving to the other service court.
Etiquette: Maintain good sportsmanship and respect for opponents and officials throughout the match.
Practice: Regular practice improves skills and strategy.
Badminton is an exciting and challenging racket sport that offers fun and exercise for players of all ages and skill levels. Whether played casually with friends or competitively in tournaments, badminton provides an enjoyable way to stay active and improve coordination and agility.