Albert Einstein was once asked about the secret of his academic success. He replied, “You first have to learn the rules of the game and then play it better than anyone else”. This formula can be applied in any sphere of life and you can be sure, it will generate positive results. As far as badminton is concerned, it is beginner-friendly but hard to master. The first thing to master is serving rules of badminton.
To become competitive in the game, you have to learn the basic set of rules. The most basic one of those are service rules for badminton. The article will guide you through every set of serving rules of badminton for singles as well as a doubles game.
If you are curious about the full official rules of badminton. Check out the following article.
How to serve in badminton? General Rules:
First, let us discuss the first step, who will serve first? Before starting a game, a coin toss is conducted by the match referee. The winner gets to choose one of two things:
- Firstly, whether he will serve first or whether he will receive first.
- Secondly, whether he will choose the service end or court end.
The choice that was neglected by the winner is determined by the one who lost the toss. After this phase, the game officially begins.
Now, we will discuss some general rules that are similar no matter the mode of playing the game.
The number of serves:
Unlike tennis where have the option to serve again if you missed, there is no such exception in badminton. If the first time you are unable to hit the shuttle or you accidentally hit the nets, there will be no other chance. The opponent gets a point and will serve now.
Swapping positions:
The players can only swap positions in the doubles if they score a point. Otherwise, a regular swap within a game is considered illegal and a score shall be awarded to the opposite side with a warning to perpetrators. If the warning count gets exceeded by three (3), it could result in game victory for opponents.
A moving serve:
Be advised, a player cannot move their feet unless he has struck the shuttle. However, a player has the option to tilt his body and move his hands freely.
Receiver not ready for the serve:
There are two scenarios in this case:
Number 1: if the player did not try to move his rackets in an attempt to strike, he shall be considered not ready.
Number 2: if the player did try to strike the shuttle, this may result in the cost of point to him.
Shuttle touching the net:
If a shuttle hits a net but does not fall on your side, it will be considered a legal service and if the serving player gained a point, the point shall be awarded.
Shuttle dropping on court-line:
If any shot lands on the bordering lines, it is a perfectly legal shot. This applied whether the shot was a service or a regular short. But the condition is that about 30 percent of the cork side should make contact with the line.
Technical service rules of badminton:
After discussing the general serving rules of badminton, this category of rules could be divided into two parts. One would be the singles game and the other would be for the doubles game.
Badminton Serve rules for Singles:
The following points mention all salient rules:
- Either at the start of the game or when the score gets even, the player who will serve will start from the right-halve of the court and the receiver would be standing right at the odd side i.e. left side of the court.
- If the player serves a shuttle and can score a point in the rally, he shall again serve. But, this time, the halve has to be swapped i.e. from right to left. Correspondingly, the opponent will also change his position.
- If the player serves but the opponent can score a score in the rally, then the opponent shall serve the next time. The opponent’s position also needs to be swapped as well as the former receiver’s.
Badminton Serve rules for Doubles:
Following are the rules for a doubles game:
- As far as changing positions on the court are concerned, the players can change them unless and until they score a point.
- If the side serving the shuttle can score a point, the side shall be given a point and both the players will have to swap their locations. Also, on the opposite sides, both players need to change their courts.
- If the receiving side scores a point, the case will be the same i.e. both side shall swap their corresponding locations.
- Every side either serving or receiving shall have only one set to play.
Thank you!
