indoor natatorium

Badminton Rules

All participants must meet eligibility standards as outlined in the Rec Sports handbook.

Play will be governed by the following rules adopted by the International Badminton Association, with some exceptions.

The Court

  1. The court for singles shall be "long and narrow", measuring 22' x 17' (each side).
  2. The court for doubles shall be "short and wide", measuring 19' 6" x 20' (each side).

General Rules of Play

  1. The server may not serve until his opponent is ready.  If the opponent attempts a return at the serve, they will be considered ready.
  2. The server and the player served to must stand within the limits of their respective service courts.  A foot on or touching the line in the case of either shall be held to be outside his service court.
  3. If in the course of service or rally, the shuttlecock touches and passes over the net, the stroke is considered valid.  It is a good return if the shuttlecock, having passed outside either post, drops on or within the boundary lines of the opposite court.  A "let" may be awarded for an accidental or an unforeseen hindrance.
  4. When a "let" occurs, the play since the last service shall not count, and the player who served will serve again.
  5. If the server, in attempting to hit the shuttlecock, misses the shuttlecock, it is not considered a fault.  However, if the shuttlecock is touched by the racquet, a service has been made.
  6. If when in play, the shuttlecock strikes the net and remains suspended there or strikes the net and falls toward the surface of the court on the striker's side of the net or hits the surface outside the court and an opponent then touches the net or shuttlecock with his racquet or person, there is no penalty as the shuttlecock is not then in play.
  7. If a player has a chance of striking the shuttlecock in a downward direction when near the net, his opponent must not put up his racquet near the net on the chance the shuttlecock may rebound from it.  A player may, however, hold up his racquet to protect his face from being hit if he does not block his opponent.
  8. Players may break for no more than two minutes between games.  If both players are ready to go, play may commence at that point.

Scoring

  1. A match will consist of the best of three games to 15 points in all divisions.
  2. Games are played to 15 points with at least a two-point margin. EXCEPTION: Class A only, both players may agree before the match begins to use point setting at 13‑ all and 14‑all (see C.). (If either player chooses not to set points then the game will be played to 15 points.)
  3. When the score is 13‑all the side that first reaches 13 has the option of "setting" the game to 5 and when the score is14‑all, the side that first reaches 14 has the option of "setting" the game to 3.  After a game has been set the score is "Love All" and the side which first scores 5 or 3 points, according as the game has been set at 13 or 14‑all, wins the game. In either case, the decision to set the game must be made prior to the next serve when the score has reached 13‑all or 14‑all.
  4. The match will be the best of three games. Players shall change ends for the commencement of the second game and also the third. In the third game, the players shall change ends when the score reaches 8 points. If the players fail to change ends, as soon as the error is detected, the change should occur and the existing score shall stand.

Service

  1. To determine serve, the opposing sides shall rally. The winner shall have choice of:
    1. first serve
    2. receiving first
    3. choosing ends

    The side losing the rally shall then have either alternative remaining.

  2. In singles, the players shall serve from and receive service in their respective right‑hand service courts only when the server's score is 0 or an even number of points in the game, the service shall be delivered from and received in their respective left‑handed service courts when the server's score is an odd number of points.  (Setting does not affect this sequence.  Both players shall change service courts after each point has been scored.)
  3. In doubles, the side that is to have the first serve shall begin serving from the right‑hand service court.  The server must serve to the player diagonally opposite.  If the player served to returns the shuttlecock in the proper manner, play shall continue until a fault is made or the shuttlecock ceases to be "in play."  If a fault is made by the "In" side, the right to continue serving is lost as only one player on the side beginning a game is entitled to do so. The opponent in the right hand service court then becomes the server.  (In all subsequent innings, each partner shall have the right and they shall serve consecutively), but if the service is not returned or a fault is made by the "Out" side, the "In" side scores a point.  The "In" side players then change from one service court to the other.  The service is now from the left hand service court to the player in the service court diagonally opposite.  So long as a side remains "In", service is delivered alternately into the service court diagonally opposite the change being made by the "In" side when, and only when a point is added to their score.
  4. The first service of a side in each game shall be made from the right hand service court. After the service is delivered, the server and the player served to may take up any positions they choose on their side of the net, irrespective of any boundary lines.
  5. The player served to alone may receive the service, but should the shuttlecock touch or strike his partner, the "In" side scores a point.
  6. The side winning a game shall always serve first and either of the losers may receive the serve.  If a player serves out of turn or from the wrong service court and his side wins the game, it shall be a "Let."  If a player on the "Out" side standing in the wrong service court is prepared to receive the service when it is delivered and his side wins the rally it shall also be a "Let."  If in either case, the side at fault shall lose the point if they lose the rally. Should a player inadvertently change sides when he should not do so, and the mistake is not   discovered until after the next succeeding service has been delivered, the mistake shall stand and a "Let" cannot be claimed and the player's positions shall not be corrected.

Faults

  1. A fault made by a player of the side which is "In" puts the server out; if made by a player whose side is "Out", it counts a point to the "In" side.
  2. In serving, if the shuttlecock does not pass over the net or falls into the wrong service court, (i.e.: into the one not diagonally opposite to the server) or falls short of the service line or beyond the service line or outside the side boundary lines of the court into which the service is in order.
  3. If the server or the receiver fails to be in the correct service court at the time of service, a fault is called.
  4. If either in service or play, the shuttlecock 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 dress of another player it is considered a fault.  (A shuttlecock falling on a line shall be deemed as to have fallen in the court or service court of which such line is a boundary.)
  5. If, when in play, the initial point of contact with the shuttlecock is not on the striker's side of the net.  (The striker may, however, follow the shuttlecock over the net with his racket in the course of his stroke.)
  6. If, when the shuttlecock is in play and a player touches the net or supports it with his racket, person or dress.
  7. If the shuttlecock is caught and held on the racket and slung during the execution of a stroke or if the shuttlecock is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strokes or if the shuttlecock is hit by a player and his partner consecutively.
  8. If a player is struck by the shuttlecock while he is standing in or outside the boundaries of the court.
  9. It is a fault if the serve is overhand.  It is considered overhand if contact is made above the waist or at the time of contact, the head of the racket is higher than the server's hand holding the racket.