BADMINTON RULES

BADMINTON RULES

by puterazaabah ~ Monday, February 1, 2010

Doubles

In a doubles game, the receiver must alternate with each serve. If the other doubles player touches the shuttlecock, the serving side is rewarded a point. If a fault is made by the serving side, the right to serve is lost, because only one of the doubles pair beginning the game can serve.

During the first innings (section of play, before the first point has been scored), serves must be made by the same player. In following innings, the doubles pair serve consecutively in each innings. The winning pair of players serves first in the next game, but either of the losing pair can receive the serve.

In both singles and doubles games, the first serve of each innings is made from the right hand side of the court. After a serve, the shuttlecock is in play until it touches the ground, or a fault or a let occurs.

Faults

If a fault is made by the serving side, the side loses the right to serve. If it is made by the opposition, the serving side score a point.

The following is a list of the main faults. If you are aware of them from the day you start to learn the sport, your game should develop at a faster pace:

• The server’s racquet must make contact with the base of the shuttlecock before it touches any other part - if not, a fault has been committed.

• It is also a fault if the shuttlecock is higher than the server’s waist when it is being struck, and if the head of the server’s racquet is higher than the hand holding the grip – the head must be pointing downwards for serving.

• A fault is made by the server if the shuttlecock is not hit over the net, if it does not fall in the opposite section of the court, or if it falls outside the boundary lines or short of the service line.

• The serving player must stand in the correct right hand side of the court, and the opposition player who is receiving the serve must stand in the diagonally opposite side of the court until the shuttlecock is struck. If the serving player misses the shuttlecock while trying to serve, a fault has been made.

• A let is given if both the server and the receiving player make a fault at the same time – for instance, if the opposition moves before the service and the server has a foot outside the service area. A let is also given if the shuttlecock is caught in the net. When a let is given, the play since the last serve does not count and the point is replayed.

• The shuttlecock must not be caught, held on a racquet and slung by any player, or be hit twice in succession by one player (or by one player and then his doubles partner).

• It is a fault if, once the service has started, either side makes misleading moves or starts to try to distract or mislead the opponent to get an unfair advantage. A player must not obstruct an opponent.

• The shuttlecock must not touch any player, or player’s clothes. It must not touch the floor, roof or wall or pass under or through the net, or fall outside the boundary lines. Any of these instances constitutes a fault.

Scoring

• Players attempt to reach 21 points to win a set.

• Players can win points even when they don't hold serve, the winner of the previous point will serve to start the next rally.

• No end changes are in use during sets.

• Games will be the best of three sets unless otherwise scheduled.

• If the score reaches 20-20 then the first player or team to hold a two-point advantage will be awarded the set.

• Should the scores reach 29-29 then the player or team to win their 30th point will be awarded the set.