Badminton is one of the most popular sports in the world and is played both professionally and casually. Knowing the badminton rules is very important if you want to play correctly and enjoy the game fully. This guide explains the rules in very simple language, making it perfect for beginners.
Basic Badminton Rules
The game of badminton is played between either two players (singles) or four players (doubles). The main goal is to hit the shuttlecock over the net and land it inside the opponent’s court.
Some basic rules include:
- A match is played in best of three games
- Each game is of 21 points
- The player or team who wins two games first wins the match
Badminton Scoring Rules
Understanding scoring is a key part of rules.
How Points Are Scored
- Every rally earns a point, no matter who serves
- A game is won by scoring 21 points
- If the score reaches 20–20, the player must win by 2 points
- If the score reaches 29–29, the player scoring the 30th point wins
These scoring rules apply to both singles and doubles matches.
Badminton Service Rules
Serving correctly is very important in badminton.
Correct Service Method
- The shuttle must be hit below the server’s waist
- The racket shaft must point downward
- Both feet must remain inside the service court
- The shuttle should land diagonally opposite in the service box
Incorrect service results in a fault and loss of point.
Badminton Court Rules
The court size is different for singles and doubles, which is an important part of badminton.
- Singles court is narrower
- Doubles court is wider
- Shuttle landing outside the boundary lines is considered out
Players must stay within their court boundaries during service.
Badminton Fault Rules
A fault occurs when any badminton rules are broken.
Common faults include:
- Shuttle goes outside the court
- Shuttle hits the net and doesn’t cross
- Double hit or carrying the shuttle
- Touching the net with racket or body
Any fault results in a point for the opponent.
Let Rules in Badminton
A “let” is called when a rally is stopped due to an interruption. According to rules, the rally is replayed without any point change.
Conclusion
Learning the badminton rules helps you play confidently and fairly. Whether you are playing casually or planning to compete, knowing scoring, service, and fault rules makes the game more enjoyable. With these simple rules, beginners can easily understand and start playing badminton the right way.