Rules of Badminton - Singles

Toss

A toss shall be conducted before a game. The player who gets it can choose between serving first or to start play at either end of the court. Opponent player can then exercise the remaining choice.

General Rules

The server may not serve till his opponent is ready, but the opponent shall be deemed to be ready if a return of the service be attempted.

The server and the player served to must stand within the limits of their respective service courts, and some part of both feet of these players must remain in contact with the surface of the court in a stationary position until the service is delivered. A foot on or touching a line in the case of either the server or the receiver shall be held to be outside his service court.

If, in service, or during a rally, a shuttle, after passing over the net, is caught in or on the net, it is a "Let".

If, in the course of service or rally, the shuttle touches and passes over the net, the stroke is not invalidated thereby. It is a good return if the shuttle having passed outside either post drops on or within the boundary lines of the opposite court. A "Let" may be given by the umpire for any unforeseen or accidental hindrance.

Lets

'Let' is called by the umpire, to halt play. A 'let' may be given for any unforeseen or accidental occurrence.

consider the following as 'lets':

- If a shuttle is caught in the net and remains suspended on top or, after passing over the net, is caught in the net, it shall be a 'let' except on service.

- If, during service, the receiver and server are both faulted at the same time, it shall be a 'let'.

- If the server serves before the receiver is ready, it shall be a 'let'.

- If, during play, the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest of the shuttle, is shall be a 'let'.

- If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to make a decision, it shall be a 'let'.

- A 'let' may occur following a service court error. When a 'let' occurs, the play since the last service shall not count and the player who served shall serve again, except where in situations where the Law of Service Court Errors is applicable.

The basics

· At the start of the rally, the server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts.

· Badminton serve must be hit below waist height and with the racquet shaft pointing downwards, the shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce.

· When the serving side loses a rally, the serve immediately passes to their opponent

· In singles, the server stands in her/his right service court when her/his score is even, and in her/his left service court when her/his score is odd.

Faults

It shall be a ‘fault’:

· if a service is not correct ;

· if, in service, the shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on its top;

· if, in service, the shuttle, after passing over the net, is caught in the net; or

· if, in service, the shuttle, is hit by the receiver’s partner, in doubles

· In play: the shuttle, lands outside the boundaries of the court or passes through or under the net or fails to pass over the net or touches the ceiling or side walls or touches the person or dress of a player;

· touches any other object or person outside the court;