SPRING 2024 BADMINTON RULES

(Updated 6/21/2023)
Recent rule changes are italicized and highlighted in gray.

Rule 1: Facility
1. All matches will be played on the Main Deck of the Field House, unless otherwise noted. Alcohol
and tobacco are not permitted inside the facility.

Rule 2: Player Eligibility

1. All Intramural Sports eligibility rules apply. Please check the Intramural Sports Rules and
Regulations carefully.
2. To check-in, each participant must have a photo available through IMLeagues, or must provide a
University of Iowa or government-issued photo ID.

Rule 3: Equipment
1. Participants are encouraged to bring their own racquets and shuttlecocks. If needed, participants
may obtain racquets and shuttlecocks from the Field House Front Desk prior to each match.
2. Prior to each match beginning, both players must agree on the type of shuttlecocks(s) being
used. If teams cannot agree, shuttlecocks provided by the Field House Front Desk will be used.

Rule 4: Team Composition

1. Rosters must be finalized before play begins and teams may have up to three participants on
their IMLeagues rosters in the event a last-minute substitute is needed. Once play begins, the
same two doubles players must play for the duration of the tournament.

Rule 5: Format
1. Each team will be scheduled for two rounds of pool play.
2. Following pool play, each team will be placed into a single elimination tournament to determine
the champion.

Rule 6: The Toss

1. Before commencing play, the opposing sides shall toss a coin and the side winning the toss shall
have the option of:
a. serving first,
b. not serving first, or
c. choosing ends
2. The side losing the toss shall then have the choice of any alternative remaining.
a. Ends are changed between each game.
b. If a third game is necessary in tournament play, ends are changed during the game after
one side has scored 11 points.

Rule 7: Pool Play Match Format

1. The match consists of one game played to 21 points.
2. At 20-all, the side which gains a two-point lead first wins the game.
3. At 29-all, the side scoring the 30th point wins that game.
4. Every time there is a serve, there will be a point scored, unless that point is replayed.
Rule 8: Tournament Play Match Format
1. The match consists of best-of-three games to 21 points.
2. At 20-all, the side which gains a two-point lead first wins the game.
3. At 29-all, the side scoring the 30th point wins that game.
4. The side winning a game serves first in the next game.
5. Every time there is a serve, there will be a point scored, unless that point is replayed.

Rule 9: Sequence of Serving

1. 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.
2. The server must hit the shuttle into the opposite service court which extends to the outside
rectangular space.
3. Once the shuttle is hit after a serve it may be returned into any portion of the other end of the
court marked by the outside edges of the boundary lines.
4. If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point, and the same server serves again
from the alternate service court.
5. If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side becomes
the new serving side.
6. The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when their side
is serving.
7. If players commit an error in the service court, the error is corrected when the mistake is
discovered.
8. After the serve is played by the receiving team, either partner may make a play on the shuttle
during consecutive returns.
9. See the diagram in Appendix A for an example of this rule.

Rule 10: Faults

1. A fault has occurred:
a. If in serving, the shuttle is struck above the server’s waist.
b. If at the serve, the shuttle falls into the wrong receiving court.
c. If the server’s and receiver’s feet are not within the boundaries of their serving court
and receiving court, respectively.
d. If the partner of the receiver takes the serve.
e. If a player touches the net with their racquet, person, or clothes.
f. If the shuttle is struck in return before it has crossed the net to their side. (The follow-
through may break the plane of the net.)

Rule 11: General Rules

1. A participant should not serve until the opponent is ready, but if the opponent attempts to
return the serve, the opponent is considered ready, and play continues.
2. If in serving, the participant misses the shuttle, the participant may serve again providing the
racquet did not make any contact during the attempt.
3. Shuttles that hit the net as they cross during play are good and should be played.
4. If, in serving, the shuttle touches the net, it is a “let” provided the service is otherwise good and
the birdie shall be served again.
5. Shuttles that fall on the line are considered good.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
If there is inclement weather and Intramural Sports are scheduled, check the Intramural Sports website
for cancellation information. The Sport Programs Staff will also attempt to notify participants scheduled
to play that night. You can also sign-up for Intramural Sports notifications through the Recreational
Services app.

Appendix A
1. Below is an example of the sequence of serving: