Before playing a sport, it’s important for you to know the basic rules to enhance your game knowledge. It’s the same with badminton, which is a rapid racket sport.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF), the sport’s global body, regulates and sets the rules about badminton. Since you are at the beginner level, we’ll just glance at the basic badminton rules.

So here is a list of 20 basic badminton rules for beginners.

1. Wherever a badminton match starts, the server needs to stand on the right side of their court to serve the shuttle.
2. The server and receiver should always stand diagonally opposite on the court.
3. Just like the position of both players, the serve should also cross the net diagonally.
4. When you are serving, make sure you are not touching any of the lines marked on the court.
5. Moreover, you should not drag your feet and keep them grounded on the court.
6. When you are serving, keep the shuttle below your waist and then hit it. If it’s above, it will be a fault.
7. You have to make the serve in one go, meaning you can’t move your racket back and forth.
8. You should serve the shuttle as soon as possible. If there’s any unnecessary delay, you will concede a fault.
9. When you are receiving the shuttle, you should not move before the serve is made.
10. Plus, you can’t distract the server by making any inappropriate gestures, which may result in a fault.
11. You get a point when you win a rally.
12. You should not hit the shuttle when it hasn’t flown into your half.
13. You should not touch the net with your body or racket.
14. If the shuttle falls outside of the inner sidelines (for singles) or the outer sidelines (for doubles), then it is out of play.
15. You should not carry or hold the shuttle on your racket.
16. You can hit the shuttle only once before it crosses the net. If you hit it twice, it will be a fault.
17. You win a set when you are first to 21 points, though you must have a two-point lead over your opponent. (Ex: 21-19).
18. If none of you manage a two-point lead, then the game can continue till 30 points. If the game reaches 30-29, then the shuttler with 30 points wins the set.
19. Badminton matches decide winners on the best of three sets. You need to win two sets to win the match.
20. Shuttlers change their ends after every set. If the match goes into the third game, the change of end happens once a player gets 11 points.

Well, these are the most basic rules you need to know before stepping on the badminton court. You can check other badminton-related articles here.

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