Badminton simplified

1. Court Measurements

The court be a rectangle measuring 5 meters in width (for singles) or 6 meters in width (for doubles), and 13.5 meters in length, bisected by a net at least 1.5 meters tall.

2. The Shuttle

Shuttles may be natural or synthetic, and must comply with Badminton World Federation standards.

3. The Racket

Rackets may be strung with natural or synthetic fibers, and must comply with Badminton World Federation standards.

4. The Toss

Before a match, a coin toss will be conducted with a captain from each side. The winning side may choose ONE of the following: A. side of court; B. to serve or receive first. The losing side chooses the other.

5. Scoring

A match shall be the best of three games, unless otherwise arranged. The side that scores 21 or more points first, and has at least a 2-point lead, will win the game. If neither side is able to achieve a 2-point lead, the first side to reach 30 points wins. To score a point, a side must win a “rally,” either by the shuttle touching the ground within the opposing side’s boundaries, or by the opposing side committing a “fault.” Sides will change ends of the court after each game. Game winners will serve first in the next game.

6. Service and Play

The server and receiver shall stand diagonally opposite, and must keep two feet down until the service is delivered (i.e. no jumping). The initial service must be underhand. If the server’s side wins a rally, the server will alternate sides of their court for subsequent serves. If the receiver’s side wins a rally, the receiver will become the new server. If playing doubles, service will alternate between players on a side when service changes. After the service, play continues until a point is scored, each team taking turns returning the shuttle over the net.

7. Faults (point awarded to other team):

– Incorrect service (not underhand, both feet not touching down, shuttle lands in wrong court)
– shuttle lands outside court boundaries, strikes a post, or fails to pass over the net
– shuttle touches a player’s body
– shuttle caught and held on racket
– shuttle hit twice by same player or team
– player touches net, opposing player, or court
– player deliberately distracts or obstructs opponent
– umpire discretion

8. Lets (no points awarded, repeat service)

– Fault on both teams
– Shuttle damaged or stuck in net
– Accidental disruption in play
– umpire unable to determine whether shuttle landed in/out

9. Intervals

– one 60-second break when one team reaches 11 points
– one 120-second break between games
– suspension as necessary for weather or other special circumstances