Here are the basic rules of badminton:

  • A match is usually best of 3 games.
  • Each game is played to 21 points.
  • You must win by 2 points , unless the score reaches 29-29 ; then the next point wins the game.
  • A rally starts with a serve from one side of the court to the opposite service box.
  • In serving, the shuttle must be hit below the waist and diagonally across the court.
  • If you win a rally, you get 1 point.
  • You lose a point if you hit the shuttle out of bounds , into the net , fail to return it, or commit a fault.
  • You cannot touch the net during play.
  • You cannot hit the shuttle twice or carry it on the racket.
  • In doubles, serving and receiving follow fixed court positions, and players switch sides under specific scoring rules.

Quick play basics

  • Singles: one player per side.
  • Doubles: two players per side.
  • The shuttle can only be hit once per side per rally.
  • The shuttle is in if it lands on the boundary lines.

Common faults

  • Serve landing in the wrong service box.
  • Server stepping on a line while serving.
  • Shuttle hitting the ceiling, wall, or going out.
  • Player touching the net with body or racket.
  • Player reaching over the net to strike the shuttle.

Simple example

If Player A serves and wins the rally, Player A gets 1 point and serves again. If the score reaches 20-20, they keep playing until someone leads by 2 points, except at 29-29, where the next point decides the game. If you want, I can also give you:

  • a very short beginner version , or
  • the full badminton rules for singles and doubles.