The Rules of Badminton (Made EASY!)

Not sure about badminton rules, badminton scoring and what's in or out in badminton?

Here's a guide that will get you on court playing quickly!

Better with words on a screen instead of a video? We've got you (see below)!

Three Badminton Basic Rules for Beginners

We're here to share with you the most important rules of badminton so that you can get playing right away and not get bogged down with technicalities.

RULE 1: SCORING
The way to win a badminton game is to be the first player or pair to score 21 points. If it is 20-all though, to win the game, you need to be leading by 2 points (for example, 22-20, 25-23 or 28-26). If the score gets to 29-all, you will play a sudden death point such that whoever wins that point will win the game 30-29.

If you’re playing socially, it’s likely that you’ll only play 1 game (otherwise known as a set).

If you’re playing competitively though, it is the best of 3 sets, meaning that you need to win 2 sets to win the overall match. 

Unlike the old scoring system, you can score a point regardless of who serves.

RULE 2: SERVING
Each point starts with a serve, which needs to be hit across the net into the box diagonal to where the server is standing.

When the server’s score is 0 or an even number, the serve should be hit from the right box.

When the server’s score is 1 or an odd number, the serve should be hit from the left box.

But which side serves?
The player or pair who wins the point will serve, and if they win consecutive points while serving, they will change sides each time they serve.

RULE 3: LINES
When serving, the serve must go beyond the front service line, regardless of if you are playing singles or doubles.

For singles, the court outlines are those drawn on screen - you will see that the side-lines (also known as side tram lines), are out for both the serve and during the rally. And when you’re serving you can seve into the back tram lines. 

For doubles, the court outlines are drawn on screen - you can see that you can hit into the entire court during a rally. But for the serve, you cannot hit the serve into the back tram line.

Of course there are many other rules in badminton - but these will get you started! 

Now that you know the basic rules of badminton, what racket should you use? 

We've got you covered and have this article just for you! (Don't worry - there's a video too in case you're too lazy to read!)

Or prefer to just do a 30-second badminton racquet quiz that will help you choose the badminton racquet that best suits you? Click below!

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