Singles: where to serve, where to stand, and when the shuttle is out of play
The court choice in singles follows your own score, and three events end a rally. Both explained in plain words.
Why learn this
In singles, one wrong side of the court or one rally that nobody knows is over can start an argument. The rules are short. This lesson follows Laws 10, 12 and 15 of the BWF Laws of Badminton, edition in force 26 April 2025.
Which service court: look at the server's score
- The server and the receiver use their right service courts when the server has scored no point or an even number of points in that game (0, 2, 4, and so on).
- They use their left service courts when the server's score is odd (1, 3, 5, and so on).
- After the serve is returned, each player may hit the shuttle from anywhere on their own side of the net. You do not have to stay in a service court during the rally.
After the rally
- If the server wins the rally, the server scores a point and serves again, from the other service court.
- If the receiver wins the rally, the receiver scores a point and becomes the new server.
So the server's own score tells everybody where to stand. Say the score aloud before each serve: it prevents most mistakes.
When the shuttle is out of play
The Laws say the shuttle is not in play when:
- it hits the net or post and starts to fall towards the floor on the side of the player who hit it;
- it hits the floor;
- a fault or a let has occurred.
When the shuttle is out of play, the rally is over: nobody can hit it any more. This matters because some actions are allowed only then, for example correcting an error or receiving advice (see the lesson on continuous play).
Serving or receiving from the wrong place
A service court error happens when a player serves or receives out of turn, or from the wrong service court. The Laws say that, once discovered, the error is corrected when the shuttle is not in play, and the existing score stands. You do not replay the earlier points.
Mistakes to avoid
- Choosing the court from the number of rallies played instead of the server's score.
- Counting the receiver's score to choose the court.
- Playing on after the shuttle has touched the floor.
- Cancelling points already played when an error is found, instead of correcting it and keeping the score.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.