Home › UK Regulations › A-Z Sports › Badminton
What are the latest rules about badminton UK? Get all the BWF official rules and regulations of badminton games right here - made easy to understand!
This section explains all the key serving tactics in badminton. There is information about match scoring strategies for players and beginners.
Shuttle badminton rules and regulations is a popular racket sport. In fact, the history and origins of badminton date back to the 16th century in Greece and in parts of Asia.
As a newcomer, you might find the concise badminton UK rules and regulations a little confusing - or difficult to understand.
Well not any longer! This simple guide for novices will soon get you on court and asking for more big servings of the game.
Let's start with some basics:
Badminton World Federation (BWF) laws govern and promote the racket game globally. The national governing body operates from its base and headquarters in Malaysia.
Badminton is one of the most popular indoor racket sports with top-level competitions played around the world. Furthermore, it is currently acknowledged by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Mastering the fundamental badminton laws and official match rules will give you the edge. Your court game will improve and you will become more competitive.
The simple aim of winning in shuttle badminton rules and regulation is to triumph at rallies against your opponent. So, the object of the game is to score more points and win.
Players use a stringed racket to strike and propel a light feathered shuttlecock (called a bird or birdie). A net, positioned between the opponents, divides the playing area.
So, how do you score?
You achieve points by 'grounding' the shuttlecock before your opponent can return it. You try to ground the shuttle in designated court areas on their side of the playing field.
Note: Don't miss our comprehensive A to Z list of sports rules and regulations (from American Football to Yoga) in the master section.
As a rule, badminton is played on an indoor court - even though you can play friendly games outdoors. A 1.55 metre net should be fixed securely across the center of the court.
The net must be positioned in the center of a rectangular court so it separates the playing field into two equal halves.
During a match, the badminton court size and net height must measure 6.1 metres wide and 13.4 metres long. Two tram lines run along each side of the court.
This part is important:
The regulations and rules of badminton singles games use the inside tramlines as the parameter. Whereas doubles rules badminton will use the outside perimeter court lines.
You will need badminton rackets and shuttlecocks to play the game. The racket is somewhat smaller in size to the ones that players use when playing tennis rules.
Professional competitors typically use a lightweight strung badminton racket made from a composite or graphite material.
The feather birdie should have feathery material surrounding the top section. Shuttlecocks also have a half round ball piece attached to the bottom end.
Note: The rules and regulations for badminton equipment govern the shuttlecock size and shape.
The different formations can include male, female, or mixed doubles. Player formats are either singles, paired doubles, or mixed doubles (one male and one female).
Tip: The badminton terminology section explains more about the different types of professional events and player formats used in elite competitions.
Note: The new service rules are in force for 2021. Hence, when the racket strikes the shuttle, it should be hit at a height BELOW 1.15 metres (i.e. from the court surface).
There are five (5) common badminton fouls which players should try to avoid making. The names of the rule infringements are:
Tip: Review the YouTube video to see how service judges view and make calls on service faults made by players.
You win points when the shuttle comes to rest on the ground in your opponent's designated court half. Of course, your challenger will try to hit it back and start a rally.
The best way to achieve advantage in badminton scoring rules is by forcing your opponent into hitting the shuttlecock out of play or against the net.
A rally occurs if your opponent legally returns the shuttlecock back to you. Players rally the shuttle back and forth using a single shot each time.
Rallies continue unless it either hits the ground or fails to go over the net. You also win the rally if it lands outside the pitch on the other side of the net. Rallying will continue until a player wins the best of three games to win the match.
Points get awarded to you if your opponent commits a fault or fails to return the shuttlecock. Points may be won on either of the service games.
As a general rule, the first player to reach a score of 21 wins a set in the game. If scores are tied at 20-20, the winner is the first player to get ahead by two clear points. The next point decides the winner of the set if the points are still tied at 29-29.
The majority of championship matches will be played out to the best of 3 sets. Winning the overall game requires you to win 2 out of the 3 sets.
Badminton Rules and Regulations Explained for United Kingdom