THE BADMINTON BASICS

TOSS

A toss shall be conducted before the commencement of any match and the winning side decides whether to receive or serve a service. 

SCORING SYSTEM

• A match consists of 3 games or sets of 21 points, considering best of three games in which 2 game wins decides the winner.
• Every serve tends to have a point scored at its end.
• The winner of the rally gets addition of a point to its score.
• At 20 all, the player which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game.
• At 29 all, the player scoring the 30th point, wins that game.
• The player who wins a game serves first in the next game.

SINGLES

• The game starts with the score of 0-0 usually called "love all".
• At the beginning of the game,the server serves from the right service court because even score of 0-0, whereas the server serves from the left service court due to odd score.
• If the server wins a rally, he/she scores a point and then initiates a service again from the alternate service court.
• If the receiver wins a rally, he/she scores a point and becomes the new server. They serve from the appropriate service court, from left if their score is odd and from right if it is even.

DOUBLES

• At the beginning of the game and when the score is even, the server serves from the right service court. When it is odd, the server serves from the left court.
• If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point and the same server serves again from the alternate service court.
• If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side becomes the new serving side.
• The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side is serving.

INTERVAL AND CHANGE OF ENDS

• When the leading score reaches 11 points, players have a 1 minute interval.
• Between each game or set only 2 minutes interval is allowed.
• In the third game, players change ends when the leading score reaches 11 points.

SERVICE COURT ERRORS

  A service error has been made when a player has served or received out of turn  or has served or received to/from the wrong service court.

FAULTS

It is considered to be a fault :

• if service is not correct.
• if shuttle is caught on the net and remain still on its top.
• if shuttle is hit by the receiver's partner.
• if shuttle touches the ceiling or any side walls.
• if shuttle touches the player's body or player's dress.
• if shuttle is hit successively by the same player.
• if shuttle is hit by both players(partners) successively in doubles match.
• if player's racket, dress or body touches the net.

LETS

"let" shall be called by the umpire or by the player if there is no umpire present.

• if the server serves before the receiver is ready.
• if the shuttle disintegrates and its base gets completely separated from its rest body.
• if the play is disrupted or the player is distracted by the opponents coach.
• if the line judge is not sighted and the umpire is unable make decision.
• if any accidental situation has occurred.

When a "let" is called, play since the last serve shall not count and the player who had served last shall serve again.