HomeRulesSportsBadminton › Singles Rules
Rules of Badminton Singles

This guide highlights the key differences when playing singles badminton rules. BWF govern badminton rules and regulations for singles players.

BADMINTON SINGLES RULES: There are two significant regulation and tactical differences for single players.

They are the serve rule and the court size boundary lines.

Badminton singles rules and regulations in shuttle games allow only one player to play on each side of the net.

Thus, single player badminton is often a faster and more energetic game than doubles.

That is because you need to cover the entire area of your half by yourself.

Even so, the general procedures for playing rallies use the same rules and regulations of badminton singles in badminton doubles games. For example, rallies continue until:

  • The shuttle touches the surface of the court in bounds.
  • Players commit one of the badminton game faults.

The match winner is the player who wins two from the three game series played. You need at least a two point margin at 21 to win a game otherwise play continues to 29.

Players only need a one point margin at 29 points. In this situation that means the first player to reach 30 points would be the winner.


Badminton Singles Court Rules

The singles service line is the very back line of the court. Both players must indicate they are ready before serving takes place. When you serve, it should get played with an underhanded motion. The shuttlecock should also get delivered from behind the service rule line.

In badminton singles rules, players must serve using the correct format. The shuttle should get sent from the right service court. It should travel ‘diagonally’ over the net and to the right service court of your opponent.

This rule occurs when the server has an even number score or zero. So, you should serve from your left service box into your opponent’s left service area when the server has an odd number of points scored.


Singles Badminton Court Dimensions

Players can return the shuttle from any position on their side of the court once the rally has begun. The left and right court badminton dimensions and boundaries get marked by the singles sidelines.

Badminton singles court size lines are 18 inches or approximately 46 centimeters closer to the net than the doubles lines.

To promote fair play in single badminton rules you should change ends with your opponent after the completion of a full game.

The same applies once again when any player scores 11 points in the third game.


Singles Scoring Points

Winning a rally scores one point and means you keep the service advantage. But, you should alternate service courts afterwards.

If the rally gets won by the receiver, you earn the right to serve. You may also gain a point depending on which set of rules you are following.

In the Official Badminton World Federation regulations the receiver scores points. Nonetheless, some college programs use classic-rules badminton.

It means only the server can earn points in those particular rules of badminton singles. Likewise, in official BWF games, committing badminton faults mean you surrender the serve. Your opponent also earns a point. Badminton faults include:

  • Missing the shuttle on the serve.
  • Hitting the shuttle underneath the net
  • Hitting the shuttle out of bounds.
  • Situations where the shuttle touches your body or clothing.


Badminton Singles Service Area Rules for the United Kingdom