Court & equipment
Court dimensions
- • Singles: 13.4m × 5.2m
- • Doubles: 13.4m × 6.1m
- • Net height: 1.55m at the posts (slightly lower at center)
Equipment
- • Racket: Light (80–100g)
- • Shuttle: Plastic or feather
- • Net: About 760mm (30in) high at the posts
Serving basics
How to serve
- • Stand behind the service line
- • Hit the shuttle below your waist
- • Racket head must be below the hand holding the shuttle
- • Serve diagonally so it lands inside the opposite service box
Service boxes (recreational tip)
For casual games:
You may serve from anywhere behind the service line. The receiver can stand anywhere within their service area.
Scoring
Game structure
- • Points: First to 21
- • Win by 2: Continue until a 2-point lead
- • Deuce: At 20–20, play on to win by 2
- • Best of 3: Most matches are best of 3 games
Who serves?
- • Start: Serve from the right service court
- • Win a rally: Server keeps serving
- • Lose a rally: Service goes to the opponent
- • Even score: Serve from right court
- • Odd score: Serve from left court
Basic faults and lets
Faults (lose the rally)
- • Shuttle lands outside the lines
- • Shuttle doesn’t cross the net
- • Service touches the net and falls short
- • Touching the net with racket or body
- • Hitting the shuttle twice
Let (replay the point)
- • Receiver wasn’t ready
- • Clear external interference
Court etiquette
Before playing
- • Warm up properly
- • Agree on rules beforehand
- • Decide who serves first (e.g., previous game’s loser)
- • Check your equipment
During play
- • Call your own faults
- • Don’t distract your opponent
- • Serve only when they’re ready
- • Be gracious in victory and defeat
Avoid these common mistakes
Service faults
- • Serving above waist height
- • Not striking the shuttle first
- • Stepping on/over the service line
- • Serving out of order
General faults
- • Touching the net
- • Unnecessary delays
- • Arguing over close calls
- • Not calling a “let” when appropriate
Quick reference for casual play
21
Points to win a game
2
Point difference needed
3
Games to win the match
Remember:
Badminton is about fun and fair play. Keep it friendly, be flexible with house rules, and enjoy the rally!