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Rules for Intramural Sports

Badminton Singles & Doubles

General Rules

The side which has the serve is called the “in” side and the side receiving the serve is called the “out” side. The game is begun by a toss or racquet spin; the side winning the option may (a) serve first (b) receive (c) choose court. A player who commits an infraction of the rules has made a “fault.” A fault on the part of the server results in a loss of the serve, or if the fault is by the receiving side it is a point.

SINGLES: The server shall start by serving from the right hand service court to an opponent standing in his/her right hand service area. Players will receive alternate serves. Service is made from the right service area when the score of the server is zero or even, and from the left side when the score is odd. Players, therefore, must change service area whenever a point is scored.

DOUBLES: The server shall start by serving from the right hand service court to an opponent standing in his/her right hand service area. The serve is made in the doubles court area and only the player standing in the proper service court may play the shuttle and return it. Players will receive alternate serves. The side starting the service has only one person serve during the first inning. In all subsequent innings each partner will serve. Players continue to serve until a “hand out” is made, at which point the other partner will serve until such time as the opponents serve. Players, therefore, must change service area whenever a point is scored.

FAULTS ON SERVE:

  1. Service is overhand. Shuttle is hit at a point higher than the server’s waist or any parts of the racket is higher than server’s hand holding the racket.
  2. Shuttle is not hit to proper service area.
  3. Server is not standing in the proper area to serve, is standing on the lines, or if the receiver is not in a proper court area.
  4. Server feints or balks opponent off balance.
  5. Shuttle is hit outside the court, passes under the net, or touches person, dress, walls, or ceiling.
  6. Striking shuttle before it crosses the net.
  7. Net or supports are touched by player or racket.

ADDITIONS:

  1. During a serve, both the server and receiver must stand in their respective courts. Touching a line with the foot is considered out of the court.
  2. If the shuttle hits the net on the serve and is otherwise good, it’s legal.
  3. A shuttle which touches the net during play is in play if it goes in the proper court.
  4. A server who misses the shuttle completely during a serve doesn’t commit a fault.
  5. A shuttle which falls on the line is considered in bounds.
  6. Any accidental hindrance is considered a let (ex. ball on court)
  7. It is illegal for a player to hold up his/her racket to block a return at the net. They may hold it up, however, to protect his/her face.