In this article, we will be exploring the basic badminton rules for singles. Badminton can be played as a singles (1 vs 1) game or a doubles (2 vs 2) game. In a singles game, there are two main categories –
- Men’s Singles
- Women’s Singles
- Other categories – Age group singles (Masters, Veteran, Under 19, 17 and the list goes on )
A singles match in badminton is played between two players – one player on either side of the net. One player serves to the opponent. The opponent receives the serve and returns the shuttle to the other. A rally goes on in this manner until one player wins a point. The player who wins the point gets to serve for the next point.
Let us look at the rules of the game for singles –
Court For Play (aka boundaries)
A badminton court has lines for both the singles and doubles matches. In the image below, the part in blue is used for singles. Note that this does not include the serve as the serve has its own boundaries, which will be covered below.
If a player hits a shuttle and it lands outside these boundaries, it is considered as ‘out’ and the opponent wins a point and the serve. Visit this post if you would like to learn about the basic rules for doubles.
Toss (Rules for starting the game)
Who serves first? Badminton falls back on the age old ritual of a toss. The player who wins the toss can either choose the side from where she wants to play or to serve. If the player chooses to serve, the opponent can choose the side.
Score (Point system)
A singles match consists of the best of 3 games each of 21 points. The player winning a rally adds a point to her score and gets to serve. If the score stands tied at 20, the player who gets a 2 point lead first wins the game. The deuce (tie) has a cutoff point at 30 which means whoever races first to 30 points, wins the game.
Serving Boundaries (Special case)
In the image below, the greyed area in the opponent’s side is where one can serve.
The serve is hit to the diagonally opposite section of the court. If the serve hits the net or lands outside the grey area, it is considered as a fault. The player committing the fault gives a point to the opposing team and also the right to serve.
A player can serve only when the opponent is ready to take the serve.
The server and receiver must stay inside the service boxes until the server connects her racquet to the shuttle. After that both players can move to any part of the court.
The shuttle has to be positioned below the server’s waist or where her rib cage ends when it is being hit.
Rallies
Both players aim to win rallies to score points and win the match. A rally is completed either when a player hits the shuttle into the net, or outside the designated court boundaries, or misses to send back the shuttle to the opponent’s side. In each of these cases, the opponent earns a point and gets the right to serve.
While hitting a shot, a player cannot touch the net either with the racquet or any body part. The player can reach above the net to hit the shot. The player cannot invade the opponent’s side of the court. i.e. the player cannot reach out to the opponent’s side of the court either by racquet or body part.
Some Other Rules To Keep In Mind
- A serve in which the shuttle hits the net but lands correctly in the designated receiving area is a valid serve.
- In a rally, if a player touches the shuttle more than once with her racquet, she gifts the opponent a point.
- Do not touch the shuttle with anything other than your racquet.
- A player has to hit the shuttle over the net. Sending it to the opponent’s side under the net is a wrong shot.
- When a player hits a serve or is ready to receive a serve, her feet should not touch any of the lines on the court.
- If the shuttle that a player hit is going out of the court, but the opponent hits it before that, the game continues. The opponent does not win a point.
Did I confuse you? Don’t worry, as you play more often, the rules will stick, so keep practicing! Check out our posts on basic rules for doubles You can read this blog as well to know the rules better.
Know the rules? Check out our videos that can help you become a better badminton player.