Badminton Rules

HRA-O Recreation Center

The Game

1. Matches will be played in a best 2 out of 3 format. Each game is played for 21 points, with players scoring a point whenever they win a rally.

2. At the start of the rally, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts. This is similar to tennis, except that a badminton serve must be hit below waist height and with the racquet shaft pointing downwards, the shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce and in badminton, the players stand inside their service courts unlike tennis.

3. When the serving side loses a rally, the serve passes to their opponent(s).

4. In doubles, if the serving side wins a rally, the same player continues to serve, but s/he changes service courts so that s/he serves to each opponent in turn. If the opponents win the rally and their new score is even, the player in the right service court serves; if odd, the player in the left service court serves.

5. The players' service courts are determined by their positions at the start of the previous rally, not by where they were standing at the end of the rally. A consequence of this system is that, each time a side regains the service, the server will be the player who did not serve last time.

6. When the server serves, the shuttlecock must pass over the short service line on the opponents' court or it will count as a fault.

7. If the score reaches 20-all, then the game continues until one side gains a two point lead (such as 24-22), up to a maximum of 30 points (30-29 is a winning score).

8. At the start of a match, a coin is tossed. The winners of the coin toss may choose whether to serve or receive first, or they may choose which end of the court they wish to occupy.

9. If a let is called, the rally is stopped and replayed with no change to the score. Lets may occur because of some unexpected disturbance such as a shuttlecock landing on court (having been hit there by players on an adjacent court) or in small halls the shuttle may touch an overhead rail which can be classed as a let.

10. A service court error has been made when a player has served out of turn, has served from the wrong service or standing on the wrong service court while being prepared to receive the service and it has been delivered.

11. If the receiver is not ready when the service is delivered, a let shall be called; yet, if the receiver attempts to return the shuttlecock, he shall be judged to have been ready.

12. During the Server, the shuttle can touch the net as long as it crosses or touches the serve line. Any time the shuttle touches the line, it is considered in or right play.

13. It is a fault:

A. If player(s) touches the net or its supports with racket, person or dress, invades an opponent's court over the net with racket or person except as permitted it is considered a fault.

B. If a player invades an opponent's court under the net with racket or person such that an opponent is obstructed or distracted or obstructs an opponent that prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke it is a fault.

C. If a player deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures.

D. If the shuttle is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke.

E. If the shuttle is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strokes.

F. If the shuttle is hit by a player and the player's partner successively or touches a player's racket and continues towards the back of that player's court.

G. If, on service, the shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top, or, on service, after passing over the net is caught in the net.

Equipment and Logistics

14. Team captains will be responsible for serving as on-court official and practice good sportsmanship at all times.

15. Equipment will be available for rental. See a staff member for signing out a racquet each time you play. Birdies will be provided and kept in the gym at all times.

16. The last teams of the evening are responsible for taking down their own net and putting it back in the bag provided. Note: The Rec Center Staff will put the nets prior to the first match of the night.

17. Please respect the facility rules, all players will be responsible for making sure that the area is clean and they are out of the gym in a timely matter by the end of each evening.

18. There will be no reschedules. The only exception to this rule is if you know in advance (a week or more) that a team member will not be able to make it due to travel or anything else that has been planned and you have exhausted every means to try to find a sub. If you are still unable to find someone to cover please reach out to the rec center and we will try to accommodate you to the best of our ability. 

*Note: Friday evenings the gymnasium will be closing at 7pm. Be sure to start and finish your games in a timely manner to ensure your game ends on time.