Toss

The rules of badminton states that a toss shall be conducted before a game starts. If you win, you can choose between serving first or to start play at either end of the court. Your opponent can then exercise the remaining choice.

Scoring system
The rules of badminton states that a badminton match shall consist of the best of 3 games. In doubles and men's singles, the first side to score 15 points wins the game. In women's singles, the first side to score 11 points wins the game. If the score becomes 14-all (10-all in women's singles), the side which first scored 14 (10) shall exercise the choice to continue the game to 15 (11) points or to 'set' the game to 17 (13) points. The side winning a game serves first in the next game. Only the serving side can add a point to its score. Recently BWF have been testing a new scoring format of 21 points per game on all major Badminton competition and decided to replace the old format permanently. Sign up to our Free Newsletter and learn more about Badminton...

Change of ends
The rules of badminton states that you have to change ends with your opponent after finishing the first game. If a third game was to be played, you shall change ends when the leading score reaches 6 in a game of 11 points or 8 in a game of 15 points.

Rules of Badminton - Singles

Serving and receiving courts

You shall serve from, and receive in, the right service court when you or your opponent has scored an even number of points in that game. You shall serve from, and receive in, the left service court when you or your opponent has scored an odd number of points in that game.

You and your opponent will hit the shuttle alternately until a 'fault' is made or the shuttle ceases to be in play.

Scoring and serving

You score a point and serve again from the alternate service court when your opponent makes a 'fault' or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of your opponent's side of court. No points will be scored when you make a 'fault' or the shuttles ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of your side of court. The serving right will then be transferred to your opponent.

Rules of Badminton - Doubles

At the start of the game, and each time a side gains the right to serve, the service shall be delivered from the right service court. Only your opponent standing diagonally opposite of you shall return the service. Should your opponent's partner touched or hit the shuttle, it shall be a 'fault' and your side scores a point.

Order of play and position on court

After the service is returned, either you or your partner may hit the shuttle from any position on your side of the net. Then either player from the opposing side may do the same, and so on, until the shuttle ceases to be in play.

Scoring and serving

If you are serving or receiving first at the start of any game, you shall serve or receive in the right service court when your side or your opponent's side scored an even number of points. You shall serve from or receive in the left service court when your side or your opponent's side has scored an odd number of points. The reverse pattern shall apply to your partner. In any game, the right to serve passes consecutively from the initial server to the initial receiver, then to that initial's receiver's partner, then to the opponent who is due to serve from the right service court, then to that player's partner, and so on.

You shall not serve out of turn, receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as provided in service court errors and 'lets'.

Service court errors

A service court error has been made when a player has served out of turn, has served from the wrong service or standing on the wrong service court while being prepared to receive the service and it has been delivered. If a service court error is discovered after the next service had been delivered, the error shall not be corrected. If a service court error is discovered before the next service is delivered, the following rules apply. If both sides committed an error, it shall be a 'let'. If one side committed the error and won the rally, it shall be a 'let'. If one side committed the error and lost the rally, the error shall not be corrected. If there is a 'let' because of a service court error, the rally is replayed with the error corrected. If a service court error is not to be corrected, play in that game shall proceed without changing the player's new service courts.

Faults
The rules of badminton consider the following as faults: - If the shuttle lands outside the boundaries of the court, passes through or under the net, fail to pass the net, touches the ceiling or side walls, touches the person or dress of a player or touches any other object or person. - If the initial point of contact with the shuttle is not on the striker's side of the net. (The striker may, however, follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke.) - If a player touches the net or its supports with racket, person or dress, invades an opponent's court over the net with racket or person except as permitted. - If a player invades an opponent's court under the net with racket or person such that an opponent is obstructed or distracted or obstructs an opponent, that is prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is followed over the net. - If a player deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures. - If the shuttle is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke. - If the shuttle is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strokes. - If the shuttle is hit by a player and the player's partner successively or touches a player's racket and continues towards the back of that player's court. - If a player is guilty of flagrant, repeated or persistent offences under Law of Continuous Play,

Misconduct, Penalties. - If, on service, the shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top, or, on service, after passing over the net is caught in the net.

Lets
'Let' is called by the umpire, or by a player (if there is no umpire), to halt play.

A 'let' may be given for any unforeseen or accidental occurrence.The rules of badminton consider the following as 'lets': - If a shuttle is caught in the net and remains suspended on top or, after passing over the net, is caught in the net, it shall be a 'let' except on service. - If, during service, the receiver and server are both faulted at the same time, it shall be a 'let'. - If the server serves before the receiver is ready, it shall be a 'let'. - If, during play, the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest of the shuttle, is shall be a 'let'. - If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to make a decision, it shall be a 'let'. - A 'let' may occur following a service court error. When a 'let' occurs, the play since the last service shall not count and the player who served shall serve again, except where in situations where the Law of Service Court Errors is applicable.

Shuttle not in play

A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net and remains attached there or suspended on top. A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net or post and starts to fall towards the surface of the court on the striker's side of the net. A shuttle is not in play when it hits the surface of the court or a 'fault' or 'let' has occurred.

Continuous play, misconduct, penalties

Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, except as allowed in intervals not exceeding 90 seconds between the first and second games, and not exceeding 5 minutes between the second and third games.

Officials and appeals

The referee is in overall charge of the tournament. The umpire, where appointed, is in charge of the match, the court and its immediate surrounds. The umpire shall report to the referee. The service judge shall call service faults made by the server should they occur. A line judge shall indicate whether a shuttle landed 'in' or 'out' on the line or lines assigned. An official's decision is final on all points of fact for which that official is responsible.

An umpire shall: - Upload and enforce the Rules of Badminton and, especially, call a 'fault' or 'let' should either occur. - Give a decision on any appeal regarding a point of dispute, if made before the next service is delivered. - Ensure players and spectators are kept informed of the progress of the match. - Appoint or remove line judges or a service judge in consultation with the referee. - Where another court official is not appointed, arrange for that official's duties to be carried out. - Where an appointed official is unsighted, carry out the official's duties or play a 'let'. - Record and report to the referee all matters in relation to continuous play, misconduct and penalties. - Take to the referee all unsatisfied appeals on questions of law only. (Such appeals must be made before the next service is delivered, or, if at the end of the game, before the side that appeals has left the court.) I am sure now that you have a better understanding of the Rules of Badminton, you will enjoy your game more!

Introduction
Before the 2006 Thomas/ Uber Cup, the official scoring format was the 15 points format. The IBF (International Badminton Federation) then tested a new scoring format which is the 21 points rally format in the 2006 Thomas/Uber Cup. This 21 points rally format has since become the official one replacing the 15 points format.

15 Points Format

There are a lot of people who still prefer the old format. So I have listed down the basic badminton rules for this format here if you have this preference. - To win a match, you have to win 2 out of 3 games. - To win a game, you have to score 15 points for men and 11 points for women. - If the score becomes 14-all (10-all in women's singles), the side which first scored 14 (10) shall exercise the choice to continue the game to 15 (11) points or to 'set' the game to 17 (13) points. - If you win a rally in which your opposition served, you win back the service rights. - Only the serving side can add a point to its score. - You score a point when your opponent could not return the shuttle or the shuttle he/she returns fall out of bounds. - In singles, you will serve on the right service court when your score is an even number while you will serve on the left service court when your score is an odd number. - In doubles, if you serve and receive first on the right service court during a match, you will continue to serve there when the score of your side in an even number. Reverse pattern for your partner. For the full version, please check out this page.

21 points Format
Currently, this is the official format used by the IBF. Here are the basic badminton rules for this format. - To win a match, you have to win 2 out of 3 games. - To win a game, you have to score 21 points. - If a score becomes 20-20, the side which scores 2 consecutive points shall win that game. - If the score becomes 29-29, the side that scores the 30th point shall win that game. - There are no "service over", meaning you can score a point no matter who serves. - One service only for doubles. - Other rules shall remain the same. For a more detailed explanation, please visit this page. So what is the difference between these two formats you may ask? For one, the old format requires more time to finish a match as there are 'service overs'. The level of fitness and stamina is really important. It is not unusual to see a match last for 2 hours.

The new format however requires less time to finish a match as it is a rally point system. It is now quite common to see matches finished just below an hour. Avoiding making unforced errors is crucial here because every rally counts. Decide for yourself on which format you want to use. I would suggest that you familiarize yourself with the new format in case you become more serious with this game. Understand the basic badminton rules already? Proceed to find out more on badminton basic skills then...

Badminton Training Section

Broadly speaking badminton training is similar to conditioning for the other racket sports such as tennis and squash. A simple movement analysis however, reveals a few key differences that will affect the competitive badminton players training regimen Many shots in badminton are played overhead more so than tennis or squash for example. Badminton players also rely much more on the wrist flexors for generating power compared to tennis players. While this may not lead to a vastly different training program, exercise selection and the percentage of time dedicated to some exercises over others will change. The average rally length at an elite badminton level is 6-8 seconds and is interspersed with rest periods of about 15 seconds (1). Individual rallies would place a high demand on the anaerobic, alactic energy system with several back-to-back rallies relying on recovery of the creatine phosphate pool (2,3). As a badminton match lasts at least 45 minutes (1), short, intense periods of activity are underpinned by aerobic endurance. Clearly, speed and agility play a crucial role, and lateral movements are called upon to even greater extent than in tennis. Finally, strength and explosive power conditioning should form a fundamental part of a badminton training program necessary to maximize speed about the court and powerful overhead smashes. The articles below, examine each of the components of fitness important in a badminton training plan, along with suggestions for exercise selection and training sessions.

Badminton Training Articles

The Sport-Specific Approach to Strength Training Programs Most sports men and women can benefit from some form of strength training. However, strength training for sport is very different to traditional weight lifting.

This guide covers the foundations of developing a badminton-specific strength plan... How To Design Resistance Training Programs For Athletes The specifics for designing a strength program for sport are covered in this step-by-step guide... Power Training for Athletes Badminton players require both upper and lower body power. There are several ways in which basic strength can be converted into explosive power. Here they are... Plyometric Training for Sport-Specific Power Incorporating plyometrics into a badminton training program is an effective way to increase upper body power for smashes, drives and baseline shots. Plyometrics can also be used to improve lower body power - helping to increase speed and agility around the court... Core Strength Conditioning For Athletes The muscles of the core region act as a link between the upper and lower body. The stronger and more ale they are, the greater the synergy of movement can be. Core strength is essential for top badminton players... Muscular Endurance Training Badminton often consists of several back-to-back rallies with minimal rest periods in between. The ability to create same level of strength and power in each rally throughout a game is a function of the player's strength endurance... Interval Training for Sport-Specific Endurance A typical badminton match lasts at least 45 minutes so players must possess good aerobic endurance. However, going for a long "steady-state" run does not reflect the demands of the sport. Instead an interval approach to endurance training is more suitable... Agility & Quickness Exercises Agility training allows badminton players to move around the court quickly reaching more shots... Ladder Agility Drills for Quick Feet & Coordination Use these ladder drills as part of your badminton training plan to improve foot speed and co-ordination on court... Badminton Training in the Off/Closed Season Badminton players, like all serious sports men and women, require a scheduled break from playing and training. However, doing nothing at all in the off-season is not only a waste but can be detrimental in the long run... Flexibility Exercises Flexibility allows badminton players to move around the court with agility and finesse and helps in reaching more shots. Use these stretching exercises after a game or training session to increase your range of motion...