Badminton is a fast and exciting sport, but to play it correctly you must know the badminton service rules. A proper serve starts every rally and gives both players a fair chance. If the serve is wrong, the opponent gets the point. That is why understanding these rules is very important for beginners and club players.
What Is a Service in Badminton?
A service is the first shot that starts a rally. The shuttle must be hit correctly from the server’s side to the receiver’s side. According to service rules, the serve must be underhand and legal in both singles and doubles matches.
Basic Badminton Service Rules
Here are the most important rules you should remember:
- The shuttle must be hit below the server’s waist
- The racket shaft must point downwards
- Both feet must stay inside the service court
- Feet must remain still until the shuttle is hit
- The shuttle must land in the correct service court
These badminton service rules apply to all official matches.
Badminton Service Rules for Singles
In singles, the service court depends on the score:
- Even score (0, 2, 4…): serve from the right service court
- Odd score (1, 3, 5…): serve from the left service court
The server must always serve diagonally. Following badminton service rules in singles helps avoid easy mistakes.
Badminton Service Rules for Doubles
Doubles service rules are slightly different:
- Only one serve per side
- The serving side changes after losing a rally
- Service court depends on the server’s score
- Players do not change service courts after winning a point while serving
Learning doubles badminton service rules takes practice, but it becomes easy with time.
Common Service Faults
Many points are lost due to simple faults:
- Shuttle hit above the waist
- Racket not pointing downward
- Feet lifting before hitting the shuttle
- Shuttle landing outside the service court
Avoiding these mistakes helps you follow service rules properly.
Who Decides the Rules?
Official rules are set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). All tournaments and competitions follow their guidelines.
Final Thoughts
Understanding badminton rules improves your game and builds confidence on the court. Practice legal serves regularly and always focus on correct positioning. Once you master the serve, your overall badminton performance will improve greatly.
