Badminton singles is the ultimate test of individual stamina, speed, and mental toughness. Unlike doubles, you have no partner to cover your mistakes. Knowing the exact singles boundaries and serving rules is critical.
Here is the official BWF guide to badminton singles rules, written in simple, clear terms.
Singles Court Boundaries: ‘Long and Narrow’
The singles court uses a distinct set of boundary lines on the standard 13.4m x 6.1m court:
- Side Boundaries: Use the inner side lines. The side tramlines (doubles alleys) are completely OUT during both the serve and the rally.
- Back Boundaries: Use the furthest back line (baseline). The shuttle is in play all the way to the outer back line for both the serve and open rallies.
- Court Dimensions: 13.4 meters (44 feet) long by 5.18 meters (17 feet) wide.
Official 21-Point Rally Scoring
Singles matches follow the official 21-point rally scoring system:
- Every rally won earns 1 point, regardless of who served.
- Matches are best of 3 games played to 21 points.
- A player must win each game by at least 2 clear points (e.g., 21-18, 22-20).
- If the score ties at 20-all, play extends until a 2-point lead is reached.
- If the score reaches 29-all, the first player to score point 30 wins immediately.
Singles Serving Rules & Service Boxes
In singles, where you stand to serve is determined entirely by your own current score:
| Server’s Score | Service Box | Serving Direction |
|---|---|---|
| 0 or Even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8…) | Right Service Court | Diagonally to Opponent’s Right Court |
| Odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9…) | Left Service Court | Diagonally to Opponent’s Left Court |
Mandatory Serving Laws (BWF Standards)
- 1.15 Meter Fixed Height: The entire shuttle must be below 1.15 meters from the floor at the moment of contact.
- Stationary Feet: Both feet must remain in stationary contact with the court surface until the shuttle is hit.
- No Line Contact: You cannot step on any boundary line while serving or receiving.
- Continuous Forward Swing: Once the backswing finishes and forward movement begins, you cannot pause or fake the stroke.
Intervals and Court Changes
- 11-Point Interval: A 60-second break is awarded when the leading score reaches 11 points in any game.
- Between Games: A 2-minute break is allowed between games.
- Switching Ends: Players switch sides of the net after game 1, after game 2, and in the third deciding game when the leading score reaches 11 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are side alleys in or out in badminton singles?
The side tramlines (alleys) are always OUT in badminton singles. If a shuttlecock lands anywhere in the side alley, it is out of bounds.
Which back line is used for serving in singles?
In singles, the serve goes all the way to the furthest back line (baseline). The inner back line is only used for doubles service.
What happens if the server loses the rally in singles?
If the server loses the rally, the receiver wins 1 point and becomes the new server. The new server then serves from the side corresponding to their own score (Right if even, Left if odd).