Badminton Rules

The following are Badminton Handbook Rules for Singles and Doubles:

The Game

  1. Participants are subject to all policies and procedures in the Intramural Handbook.
  2. The game is played by two players in singles and four players in doubles.
  3. Match Scoring: Best 2 out of 3 games will decide the winner of the match.
  4. Game Time: 45 minute time limit.  If the time limit expires during the final game of the match, the score at that time will determine the winner.  If the game is tied or only one point separates the opponents, the first player ahead by two points will be awarded the game and match.
  5. Rest Period between Games: A two-minute rest period is allowed between game one and two.  Players are not permitted to leave the court.  A 5-minute rest period is allowed between the second and third game during which time players are allowed to leave the court.
  6. Rights and Duties of Participants: The participants are responsible for officiating their own match. Any call that can not be agreed on must be replayed.

Serving

  1. Badminton serves must be executed underhand and below the waist. The shuttle must be contacted below the waistline, and the racket head must be completely below the handle. However, the racket handle may be above the waist.
  2. Neither server nor receiver may move either of his/her feet from the court until the shuttle is contacted.
  3. A service that tips the net and falls into the proper court is a legal serve.
  4. A serve may not be executed until the receiver indicated that he/she is ready.
  5. Singles Serving
    1. The initial serve for either player in singles must be executed from the right-hand service court to the opposite right-hand service court.
    2. If a point is scored, the serve should be attempted from the left-hand service court to the opposite left-hand service court.
    3.  After each point is scored, the players must alternate sides.
    4. If a point is not scored by the server, a “side-out” is called. The opponent then has a “side-in” and commences to serve.
    5. When an opponent is defeated in their attempts to serve, the side-in player must go back to the side of the court in which they last served.
    6. If the server’s score is an odd number, for example, 1,3,5, the next service will be from the left service court.
    7.  When the server has an even number score, for example, 0,2,4, the next serve must be executed from the right court.
  6. Doubles Serving
    1. The initial serve by either team in doubles must be executed from the right-hand court.
    2.  The serving team alternates serving courts after each point is scored. however, the receiving team members must remain in their same service courts even though their opponents are switching service courts.
    3. Only the proper player may return a serve without forfeiting the point.

Scoring

  1. All games are played to 15 points.
  2. A match consists of the best two out of three games.
  3. Sides change courts at the end of each game; the winning side serves first in the following game.
  4. If a third game is necessary, players change ends of the court when either side first reaches eight in a game of 15 points.
  5. There is no “setting” in Intramural Badminton all games must be won by 2 points or first to 21.

Playing Regulations

  1. If the server completely misses the shuttle on a serve, he/she may re-stroke.  An infinite number of attempts may be made, provided the racket does not touch any part of the shuttle.
  2. The shuttle is still in play if a player completely misses the shuttle on an attempted hit.
  3. A shuttle falling on the boundary line is considered good.
  4. A serve or a shot during a rally or exchange, which touches the net, is considered good as long as it falls within the proper boundaries.
  5. A let (replay of the point) is called when any unusual occurrence interferes with the play.

Faults

  1. If on the serve, the shuttle is contacted above the server’s waist.
  2. If during the serve, the feet of server and receiver are not within boundaries of their respective service courts.
  3. If in serving, the shuttle lands outside the boundaries of the service court (i.e., into the one not diagonally opposite to the server).
  4. If either in service or play, the shuttle falls outside the boundaries of the court, or passes through or under the net, or fails to pass the net, or touches the roof or side walls, or the person or clothing of a player.
  5. If the shuttle in play be struck before it crosses to the striker’s side of the net.  The striker may, however, follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of his stroke.
  6. If when the shuttle is in play a player touches the net of its supports with racket, person, or clothing.
  7. If the shuttle is held on the racket while struck (i.e., be caught or slung).
  8. It is not a fault if the frame, shaft, or handle of the racket hits the shuttle, or if the base and the feathers of the shuttle are struck simultaneously.