Here's a guide to the game:
This happens before the game starts; if you win you can choose between serving first or which end of the court you want to start on. Your opponent chooses the remaining choice.
Scoring system
A badminton match is the best of 3 games; the first side to score 21 points wins the game.
If the score becomes 20-20, the side which first that first scores 2 consecutive points wins, if the score becomes 29-29, the side that scores the 30th point wins.
The side winning a game serves first in the next game and only the serving side can add a point to its score, and points are added when the server wins a rally.
Breaks
When one side reaches 11 points both sides get a minute break.
Both sides get a 2-minute break between the 1st and 2nd game, and another 2-minute break between the 2nd and 3rd.
Change of ends
You have to change ends with your opponent after finishing the first game, if a third game is to be played, you change ends when the leading score reaches 11 in a game of 21.
Rules of Badminton - Singles
Serving and receiving courts
You serve from, and receive in, the right side of the court when you or your opponent has an even number of points in that game.
You serve from, and receive in, the left side of the court when you or your opponent has scored an odd number of points in that game.
Scoring and serving
You score a point and serve when your opponent makes a 'fault' or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface on your opponent's side of court.
No points will be scored when you make a 'fault' or the shuttles ceases to be in play because it touches the surface on your side of court. The serving right will then be given to your opponent.
Rules of Badminton - Doubles
At the start of the game, and each time a side gains the serve, the service is delivered from the right service court. Only the opponent standing diagonally opposite of to the server can return the service.
If the other opponent partner touches or hits the shuttle, it shall be a 'fault' and your side scores a point.
Order of play and position on court
After the serve is returned, either player may hit the shuttle from any position on their side of the net.
Scoring and serving
If you are serving or receiving first at the start of any game, you shall serve or receive in the right service court when your side or your opponent's side scored an even number of points.
You shall serve from or receive in the left service court when your side or your opponent's side has scored an odd number of points.
The reverse pattern shall apply to your partner.
In any game, the right to serve passes consecutively from the initial server to the initial receiver, then to that initial's receiver's partner, then to the opponent who is due to serve from the right service court, then to that player's partner, and so on.
You shall not serve out of turn, receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game.
Service court errors
This is when a player has served out of turn, has served from the wrong service area or standing on the wrong service court and received the serve.
If a service court error is discovered after the next service had been delivered, the error shall not be corrected.
If a service court error is discovered before the next service is delivered, the following rules apply: (see lets)
- If both sides committed an error, it shall be a 'let'. If one side committed the error and won the rally, it shall be a 'let'. If one side committed the error and lost the rally, the error shall not be corrected.
- If there is a 'let' because of a service court error, the rally is replayed with the error corrected. If a service court error is not to be corrected, play in that game shall proceed without change.
Faults
The following are faults:
- If the shuttle lands outside the of bounds, passes through or under the net, fails to pass the net, touches the ceiling or side walls, touches the person or dress of a player or touches any other object or person.
- If the initial point of contact with the shuttle is not on the striker's side of the net. (The striker may, however, follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke.)
- If a player touches the net or its supports with a racket, person or dress, invades an opponent's court over the net with racket or person except as permitted.
- If a player invades an opponent's court under the net with racket or person to obstructed or distracted or obstructs an opponent, and it prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke.
- If a player deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures.
- If the shuttle is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke.
- If the shuttle is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strokes.
- 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.
- If a player is guilty of flagrant, repeated or persistent offences under Law of Continuous Play, Misconduct, Penalties.
- 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.
Lets
'Let' is called by the umpire, or by a player (if there is no umpire), to halt play.
The following are 'lets':
- If a shuttle is caught in the net and remains suspended on top or, after passing over the net, is caught in the net, it shall be a 'let' except on service.
- If, during service, the receiver and server are both faulted at the same time, it shall be a 'let'.
- If the server serves before the receiver is ready, it shall be a 'let'.
- If, during play, the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest of the shuttle, is shall be a 'let'.
- If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to make a decision, it shall be a 'let'.
- A 'let' may occur following a service court error. When a 'let' occurs, the play since the last service shall not count and the player who served shall serve again.
Shuttle not in play
A shuttle is not in play when:
- It strikes the net and remains attached there or suspended on top.
- It strikes the net or post and starts to fall towards the surface of the court on the striker's side of the net.
- It hits the surface of the court or a 'fault' or 'let' has occurred.
Continuous play, misconduct, penalties
Play is continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, except at the allowed in intervals between the first and second games, and the second and third games.
Officials and appeals
The referee is charge of the tournament.
The umpire is in charge of the match, the court and its immediate surrounds, reporting to the referee.
The service judge calls service faults made by the server should they occur.
A line judge indicates whether a shuttle landed 'in' or 'out' on the lines.
An official's decision is final.
An umpire shall:
- Enforce the Rules of Badminton and call a 'fault' or 'let' should either occur.
- Give a decision on any appeal regarding a point of dispute, if made before the next service is delivered.
- Ensure players and spectators are kept informed of the progress of the match.
- Appoint or remove line judges or a service judge in consultation with the referee.
- Where another court official is not appointed, arrange for that official's duties to be carried out.
- Where an appointed official is unsighted, carry out the official's duties or play a 'let'.
- Record and report to the referee all matters in relation to continuous play, misconduct and penalties.
- Take to the referee all unsatisfied appeals. (Such appeals must be made before the next service is delivered, or, if at the end of the game, before the side that appeals has left the court.)