Badminton Rules

Badminton Rules
2008 changes
Definitions
Player Any person playing badminton
Match The basic contest between opposing sides each of one or two players
Singles A match where there is one player on each opposing side
Doubles A match where there are two players on each opposing side
Serving Side The side having the right to serve
Receiving Side The side opposing the serving side
Rally A sequence of one or more strokes starting with the service, until the shuttle ceases to be in play
Stroke A forward movement of the player’s racket

Starting the game
The toss: Before game starts, toss or hit bird into the air and let it land on the ground (the winner of the toss is the person the cork points to) The winner has choice of:
To serve or receive first
To start play at one end of the court or the other

Scoring System
A match consists of the best of 3 games of 21.
The side winning a rally adds point to its score.
At 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game
At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point, wins that game

The side winning a game serves first in the next game.

Points- Singles
At the beginning of the game and when the score is even, the server serves from the right service court. When it is add, the server serves from the left service court.
If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and then serves again from the alternate court.
If the receiver wins the rally, the receiver scores a point and becomes the new server.

Points- Doubles
There is only ONE serve in doubles. The service passes consecutively to the players depending on the score being odd or even.
At the beginning of the game and when the core is even, the server serves from the right court. When it is odd, the server serves from the left court.
If the serving side wins the rally, the serving side scores a point and the same server serves again from the alternate service court.
If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side becomes the serving side.
The player of the receiving side who served last stays in the same court from where he served last. The reverse pattern applies to the receivers partner.
The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving.

Service
A correct serve:
• served in good time -undue delay
• the server stands within diagonally opposite service courts without touching boundary lines
• both feet of the server must stay in contact with the ground
• shuttle is below the server’s waist at contact with the shuttle
• in attempting to serve, the server can not miss the shuttle
Faults during service
• if service is not correct ( see above)
• shuttle is caught in the net
• hit by the receiver’s partner

Faults in Play
• lands outside the boundaries of the court
• passes through or under the net
• fails to pass over the net
• touches the ceiling or side walls
• touches the person or dress of a player
• is hit twice is succession by the same player
• is hit by a player and the player’s partner in succession
Faults in play by a player
• player touches the set or its supports
• racket crosses into the opponents court (over or under the net)
• obstructs an opponent
• deliberately distracts an opponent by action such as shouting or making gestures
Lets
A let is called to halt play
A let is called when:
• server serves before the receiver is ready
• shuttle breaks