Badminton became an Olympic sport in 1992. Rules for badminton, including service of the shuttlecock, are set by the Badminton World Federation, formerly known as the International Badminton Federation. The IBF altered its rules in the mid-2000s to pick up the pace of the game and make it more attractive for TV audiences, reports BBC Sport. Formerly, points were only scored on a serve. Now either team can win a point on a rally. Several other rules apply to the service in badminton.
Placement
Server and receiver stand in service courts that are diagonally opposite. The server's feet need to stay in contact with the ground until the serve is delivered. The shuttle needs to pass over the net and land on or within the boundary lines of the receiver's court, according to BWF rules.
Delivery
The shuttle has to be hit below the server's waist, defined as the lowest part of her rib. The server has to continue movement of her racket from the start of service until the serve is delivered. The server cannot start and stop a forward movement.
A server cannot deliver the shuttle before the receiver is ready. If a receiver tries to return the shuttle, rules deem that he was ready and the serve stands, according to BWF rules.
Singles
In singles play, a player serves from the right service courts when the score is even, including zero. The player serves from the left service court when he has an odd number of points scored. If the serve is returned and a rally begins, the server gains a point if he takes the rally. He serves again from the alternate service court. If the receiver wins the rally he gains a point and becomes the new server, according to BWF rules.
Doubles
In doubles play, players also serve from the right service court for an even score and the left service court for an odd score. If the server wins the point, she switches sides with her partner and continues to serve, according to BBC Sport. Alternating continues until the serve is lost to the other team. When the team becomes the receiving side, the player remains in the service court she served from, according to BWF rules.
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