Badminton rules explained

Badminton / Popular

Scoring, service rules, court boundaries and lets.

What coaches agree on

Each game goes to 21 points and must be won by two clear points — except that reaching 29-29 means the very next point decides it outright.
Every rally wins a point for whoever takes it, whether they served or received.

Serve from the right side when your own score is even and the left side when it's odd, aiming diagonally into your opponent's service box.
The serve must be hit underarm, striking the shuttle below waist height.

Common mistakes

Letting your feet leave the ground or touch the line while serving or receiving is a foot fault.
Hitting the shuttle twice in a row before it crosses the net — even a soft push followed by a second touch, or two doubles partners both touching it — is a fault.
Touching the net with your racket or your body during a rally is a fault.

Beginner

How to Play Badminton, Rules Explained

Coach's take: Finally, a video that actually explains doubles serve rotation properly instead of hand-waving it.

3.9

Beginner

How to Play Badminton for Beginners - All Rules Explained

Coach's take: The rare rules video that also explains why the equipment and rules are shaped this way -- sticks better than a plain list.

3.9

Beginner

The Rules of Badminton - EXPLAINED!

Coach's take: Explains not just the rules but why they trip people up coming from tennis -- that's the mark of someone who's actually taught this.

3.8

Beginner

Badminton Service Rules - A quick and simple explanation of the 4 service rules in badminton!

Coach's take: Clear, up to date, and answers the exact questions that start arguments on court.

3.7

Beginner

🏆Rules for Badminton Singles - By BadmintonPlanet.com

Coach's take: The worked example makes the confusing bits actually stick.

3.7

Beginner

RULES FOR PLAYING BADMINTON DOUBLES- Avoid penalties by knowing the rules of the game #badminton

Coach's take: Covers the fiddly rules other videos skip, like who's allowed to receive the serve.

3.6

Beginner

🏆Rules for Badminton Doubles - By BadmintonPlanet.com

Coach's take: The worked match example is what makes the service-court rule finally make sense.

3.6

Intermediate

10 Badminton Service Rules (2024 Edition)

Coach's take: Sharp breakdown — even regular players will learn a fault or two here.

3.6

Beginner

Badminton Rules Singles Explained! | How to Play Badminton?

Coach's take: The point-by-point Blue vs Red example is the best way I've seen this rule taught -- much clearer than just being told 'even = right, odd = left.'

3.6

Beginner

Badminton Rules Doubles | How to Score and Interchange Positions

Coach's take: Finally, a doubles rotation explanation that actually clicks.

3.5

Beginner

Singles Rules | Badminton

Coach's take: Clean, accurate rundown of scoring - just don't expect fault/service rules here too.

3.4

Beginner

BADMINTON RULES FOR SINGLES- Avoid penalties by knowing the rules for singles #badminton #singles

Coach's take: Good practical coaching layered on top of the rules -- the 'when in doubt, hit it back' line alone is worth knowing before your first tournament.

3.3

Beginner

Badminton Rules & Basics Explained | A Rookie’s Guide to Sports

Coach's take: Nails the serve-side-by-score-parity rule clearly for both singles and doubles -- that's the part beginners usually get backwards.

3.3

Beginner

Doubles Rules | Badminton

Coach's take: Accurate but basic - doesn't cover the trickier doubles service-court rules.

3.1

Beginner