The Basic Rules of Badminton

For everybody who is just starting out or is about to give a first explanation about the game of badminton, here is an overview of the current rules, court setup, and more. 

The Scoring

As of January 2027, the official BWF rules move from a best-of-three-games system played to 21 points to a best-of-three-games system played to 15 points.  This article will explain the 15-point system. 

A rally starts with a serve and ends when the shuttle hits the ground or a player/pair makes a fault. The player/pair who wins the rally is awarded a point. This continues with every rally until one player/pair reaches 15 points and wins the game.

However, they need a lead of at least two points. If it is 15-14, extra points are required. This continues until 20-20, when a final point is played. 

The player/pair who wins the game will serve first in the next game. The player/pair who wins two games first wins the match. After each game, you change sides. In the third game, you also change sides at the 8-point interval. You are not allowed to touch the shuttle with your body or clothing. A player/pair is only allowed to hit the shuttle once before the opponent can hit it. 

The Court

The court is 13.4 by 6.1 meters in total and has several different lines. 

The sideline has an extra line on the inside. This line is called the singles sideline and is 46 cm from the outside line, making the court 5.18 meters wide from one singles sideline to the other. This is what we call the singles court. The wider court is used for doubles and mixed doubles.

At the back, there is also a line 76 cm further inside. This is the doubles long service line, which is used when serving in doubles. When playing singles, you can serve up to the last line (baseline/back boundary), but in doubles and mixed doubles, you can only serve up to the doubles long service line.

Close to the net, there is also an extra line. This is the short service line. All serves in all categories have to reach or pass this line. This line is 1.98 meters from the net.

In the middle of the court is the last extra line. This line makes sure you serve diagonally. After the serve, this line has no further use during the rally. Please note that hitting the lines is regarded as inside in badminton. A line is part of the area it defines. Hitting the roof or any part of the construction means you lose the point. If both players/pairs are uncertain and there is no judge or umpire, they might decide on a let. This means you replay the point and start the rally over. At major tournaments, an electronic Instant Review System can be used to review close line calls. 

The Toss

Before the start of the match, you can do a coin toss to decide which side serves first and which end each side starts at. The winner of the toss can choose one of two things: which side serves first or which end they want to start at. The loser of the toss decides the remaining choice. In doubles and mixed doubles, both pairs choose for themselves which player starts on the right side. 

The Serve

The serve is complicated for most beginners. The side that wins the rally always serves the next rally. You always serve diagonally into the opposite service court. You are not allowed to hit the shuttle higher than 1.15 meters when serving. The whole shuttle needs to be below this height when struck. The server and receiver must stand inside diagonally opposite service courts without touching the lines, and some part of both feet must remain stationary and in contact with the floor. After the serve is played, movement is free again. There is no second serve in badminton. When your score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20), you serve from the right side. When your score is odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19), you serve from the left side.
In doubles, there is another aspect: who is serving?The person who last served keeps serving if their side continues to win points. The other player in the pair only gets a turn to serve after their side has lost the serve and later wins it back. The receiving pair does not switch starting positions. Players only switch service courts when their side wins a point while serving.

Do you want to know how to perform the perfect serve? Please check out this article!

The Net

The net is in the middle of the court and has a height of 155 cm at the sides. It bends slightly under its own weight, making it 152 cm high in the middle. You are not allowed to hit the shuttle on the other side of the net. You are not allowed to touch the net. You are allowed, however, to have your racket go over the net after hitting the shuttle or to have your feet go under the net, as long as you or your racket do not touch the net and you do not obstruct your opponent from playing. The shuttle is allowed to hit the net during a serve or rally without having to start over. 

The Breaks

Officially, there is a one-minute break when the first player/pair reaches 8 points in a game, and after each game there is a two-minute break. During both breaks, the player/pair is allowed to be coached on the court.However, the coach has to leave when the umpire announces, “20 seconds left.”. The coach is not allowed to say anything during the rally, only between rallies and during the breaks. 

FAQ

Q: Are these all the rules?
A: No, there are more rules, including rules regarding serving, behavior, clothing, and many other aspects of the game. This article simply summarizes the main rules you need to start playing.

Q: Can the shuttle touch the net?
A: Yes. If the shuttle touches the net and still lands legally, play continues. 

Q: Is a shuttle on the line in or out?
A: In. The lines are part of the area they define. 

Q: Can I touch the net with my racket?
A: No. Touching the net with your body, clothing, or racket while the shuttle is in play is a fault. 

Q: Is there a second serve in badminton?
A: No. If you make a service fault, your opponent wins the rally and the point. 

Q: Can both players hit the shuttle in doubles?
A: Either player can hit it, but the pair only gets one hit before the shuttle must go back over the net. 

Now you know all the rules to start playing the game, enjoy!