Game rules

Court etiquette

We have introduced some guidelines which all members are expected to follow both for safety and to make sure we can all enjoy the sessions. If you are unsure about any of the follow, just speak to a committee member:

• Players not on court should remain behind the white line – keeping a safe distance from the badminton court baseline and to avoid interrupting play on other courts. 

• Do not ‘cut across’ other courts where games may be in progress. Keep well clear of other players to avoid shuttlecocks and racquet swings!

• We usually play to 15 points to allow a quick turnover of courts and give all players enough playing time.

• If a Monday session is particularly busy (over 30 players), we may use the peg board system, and/or only play to 11 points.

• Try to mix up who you play with on a night, but be mindful of different skill levels and making the teams as balanced as possible.

Rules

Knowing the rules of badminton is important if you really want to advance and enjoy the game. Don’t worry if you're new to badminton and the information all seems too much! Every player at the club will help you through the rules – we promise you’ll pick it up in no time.

Scoring and winning

• A point is won if the shuttlecock hits the ground in the opponent’s half of the court, including on the lines, or a fault is committed by the opponent. 

• Every rally results in a point for one player or team. The winning side gets the next serve.

• All singles and doubles matches are the best-of-three games. The first side to 21 points wins a game. As we are a social club, in our sessions we normally play to 15 points and just one game at a time.

• If the score is 20-20 (in our case 14–14) a side must win by two clear points to win the game. If it reaches 29-29, the first to get their 30th point wins.

Serving

The shuttlecock must be hit from below waist height, with players serving diagonally into their opponent’s service box. Both players must remain stationary until the serve is made.

The server starts from the right-hand service court, and serves from that side every time they have an even amount of points. A player serves from the left every time they have an odd amount of points.

Each player will retain serve for as long as they keep winning points (while alternating sides with their team-mate in doubles). If the receiving side takes the point, they assume serve. 

Common faults

Out of bounds: The shuttlecock lands outside of the court boundaries – the line is considered part of the court.

Net faults: The shuttlecock fails to pass over the net or gets caught in the net, or the player hits the shuttlecock before it has crossed the net into their own side of the court.

Touching the net: A player's body or racquet touches the net during play.

Double hit: The shuttlecock is hit twice by the same player or team in succession.

Service faults: Serving above the waist, not standing within the service area or not hitting the base of the shuttlecock.

Distraction and misconduct: Deliberately distracting your opponent or inappropriate actions or language towards an opponent.