Doubles Game Structure and Scoring Rules

Scoring and Game Structure

• In doubles, a partner serves last in each half inning until a side out occurs.
• Side out: The event where the server loses the rally, transferring the serve to the opponents.
• In doubles, a side out happens after both partners have lost their serve, except the first half of the first inning.
• Points for men’s singles and all doubles are played to 15, while women’s singles are played to 11.
• Game point: Winning point that concludes the game.
• "Love all": A term representing a score of 0-0, used at the start of a game and after a set.
• Point: The smallest scoring unit; 15 points complete a game, except 11 points for women’s singles.

Rules of the Game

• Players: Includes everyone participating in the match; can be singles (2 players) or doubles (4 players).
• Toss: A coin toss determines the starting side before the game begins.
• Net shot: A frontcourt shot, typically a drop or underhand clear.
• Push: A returning shot typically used for low, short serves in doubles, using a frying pan grip.
• Serve: The initial shot to start each rally by putting the shuttle into play.
• Overhead: A stroke played from above the head.
• Side arms: A stroking motion for shots near the forehand sidelines.
• Smash: A powerful overhead shot, considered the main offensive move in badminton.
• Underhand: A stroke struck below waist level with an upward motion.
• Shuffle steps: A footwork technique involving short, non-crossing steps for positioning.

Faults and Illegal Tactics

• Fault: A violation leading to loss of service or a point for the receiving side.
• Feint: A deceptive move allowed during rallies but illegal during serves.
• Obstruction: An illegal move where a player distracts an opponent or crosses the net with their racket.
• Unsight: A player positioning themselves to block the opponent’s view of the serve, treated as obstruction.

Service and Loss of Serve

• First server: The player who initiates serving for a side in a given inning.
• In side: The serving side; outside is the receiving side.
• Let: An occurrence requiring a replay of the point due to interference.
• The game is typically played best of three games, where winning a game requires 21 points.
• Players switch sides on odd scores when serving from the left and even scores from the right.

Service Regulations

• Players must avoid delaying the delivery of the service.
• The server and receiver must be positioned in diagonally opposite service areas without touching the lines.
• The shuttle must be struck below the server's waist and hit the base of the shuttle.

Service Court Errors

• Errors occur if a player serves out of turn, from the wrong court, or stands in the incorrect service court.

Fault Conditions

• Fault occurs for improper service.
• Missing the shuttle during the serve counts as a fault.
• If the shuttle touches the net during play, lands outside court boundaries, passes under the net, or fails to clear the net, it's a fault.
• Additional faults include hitting ceilings, walls, or touching players or objects outside the court boundaries.

Basic Skills of Badminton

• Grip types:

  • Forehand: Commonly referred to as the "handshake grip."
  • Backhand: A modified version of the forehand grip.

• Types of strokes:

  • Forehand stroke: Struck on the side of the body.
  • Backhand stroke: Struck on the opposite side from the racket.
  • Underhand stroke: Used for low approaching shuttles.
  • Overhand/Overhead stroke: For high trajectory returns when the shuttle is behind the player.