Strategy is the key to badminton. Once you understand how to play the game, you can use a few simple tactics to improve the quality of your game. For example, serve the shuttle toward the back of the court, leaving your opponent vulnerable close to the net. But first, you need to know the rules.
Playing Surface
The Badminton World Federation, or BWF, sets the rules for all international competitions. According to the BWF, a regulation badminton court measures 43.96 feet between the two back boundary lines and 20.01 feet between the doubles sidelines. The singles sidelines run parallel to the doubles lines, but 18 inches closer to the center line. The center line runs parallel to the sidelines and divides the court horizontally. The back line runs vertically and indicates the singles service line. The doubles service line runs parallel to the singles service line, but 30 inches closer to the net. The service line is 13 feet closer to the net than the double service line. The last regulation court line runs directly underneath the badminton net. The BWF Laws of Badminton recommend using white or yellow lines, so they are easy to see.
Serve
BWF rules and regulations require you to serve the shuttle underhanded and hit it below your waist. The racket handle should face downward. You must stand behind the service line, and no part of your feet can touch the line until after your racket makes contact with the shuttle. The first server serves from the right, as does every server who has an even numbered score. You serve from the left when your score is an odd number.
Points
Outscoring your opponent is the object of badminton. The rules of badminton allow you to score points by winning rallies and when your opponent commits a fault. Win the rally when the shuttle touches your opponent's side of the court in-bounds. A badminton match consists of a best-two-out-of-three series. Play each game to 21 points; the winner must have a margin of 2 points for the victory, until the score reaches 29-all. When you and your opponent reach 29 points, the winner is the player who scores the 30th point first.
Fault
When you commit a fault, your opponent gets 1 point. A serve that does not follow BWF guidelines or gets caught in the net is a fault. When the shuttle does not pass over or passes under the net, the referee issues a fault. Additionally, the shuttle cannot touch the ceiling.
Lets
A let in badminton is akin to a "do-over". A let stops play, but neither side gets a point and the serve remains with the current server. Based on the official regulations of badminton, the referee calls a let when the server serves to an unprepared receiver, when the server double-faults during the serve, when the shuttle falls apart or when the line judge just can't make the call. Unlike the serve, during a rally a shuttle caught in the net is a let.
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