Badminton words · Beginner

The words you will hear in your first match, grouped the way you meet them.

B · Beginner · 43 words · Step 1 of 2

Scoring terms

Point

Won by the side that wins a rally: the other side commits a fault, or the shuttle lands inside their court.

Game

Under the BWF Laws in force until 3 January 2027, a game is won by the first side to 21 points, with a two-point lead needed at 20-all and the 30th point winning at 29-all. From 4 January 2027 the Laws move to the 3×15 system: games are played to 15 points, with a two-point lead needed at 14-all and the 21st point winning at 20-all.

Match

The full contest between two sides, best of three games unless otherwise arranged.

Rally point system

The scoring rule in which a point is scored on every rally, whichever side served.

Serving side and receiving side

The serving side has the right to serve; the receiving side is the one opposing it. When the receiving side wins a rally, it scores a point and becomes the serving side.

Serving terms

Serve

The stroke that starts every rally. The shuttle must travel upwards over the net into the diagonal service court, and the whole shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the court surface when the server's racket hits it.

See also: Server, Service court, Shuttlecock, Racket, Rally

Server

The server starts the point; the receiver returns the serve.

Also called: receiver

Short serve

A serve hit low and just over the net, landing near the front service line, common in doubles.

High serve

A serve hit high and deep to the back of the court, common in singles to push the opponent back.

Also called: long serve
See also: Push, Singles

Service court

The diagonal box the serve must land in. The server serves from the right service court when their side's score is even and from the left when it is odd.

Service fault

A serve that breaks the service Laws, for example hitting the shuttle with any part of it at or above 1.15 metres, lifting or moving a foot before the serve is delivered, or stopping the racket's forward movement. The service judge calls it.

See also: Shuttlecock, Racket, Service judge

Faults

Fault

A breach of the Laws, such as a bad serve, the shuttle landing outside the court or failing to cross the net, or a player touching the net. The other side wins the rally.

See also: Touching the net, Shuttlecock, Rally

Touching the net

A player who touches the net or its posts with racket, body or clothing during a rally commits a fault. The striker may follow the shuttle over the net with the racket after hitting it on their own side.

See also: Fault, Shuttlecock, Racket, Rally

The ruleCan you touch the net or reach over it in badminton?

Court and equipment terms

Court

The rectangular playing area, marked with lines 40 mm wide and divided by a net. Singles and doubles use different boundary lines. A shuttle that lands on a line is in.

Net

The barrier across the middle of the court. It is 1.524 metres high at the centre and 1.55 metres over the side lines.

Shuttlecock

The feathered or synthetic projectile hit back and forth instead of a ball. A feathered shuttle has 16 feathers and weighs 4.74 to 5.50 grams. It does not bounce: a rally ends when it touches the court.

Also called: shuttle, birdie
See also: Rally

Racket

The lightweight strung frame used to hit the shuttle. It may not be longer than 680 mm or wider than 230 mm overall.

Also called: racquet
See also: Shuttlecock

Baseline

The back boundary line of the court.

Sideline

The side boundary lines, singles and doubles use slightly different sidelines, with doubles courts being wider.

Short service line

The line near the net that serves must land beyond (can't be too short).

Alley

The extra side strip of court used only in doubles, similar to tennis.

Shot types

Clear

A shot hit high and deep to the back of the opponent's court, used to reset the point or push the opponent back.

Smash

A powerful, steep shot hit downward with force, the most common way to win a point outright.

Drop shot

A soft shot that barely clears the net and falls sharply, landing just past it, used to catch an opponent out of position.

Drive

A fast, flat shot hit horizontally across the net, usually at chest or waist height, keeping the shuttle low.

See also: Shuttlecock

Net shot

A delicate shot played close to the net, meant to just tip the shuttle over with minimal force.

See also: Shuttlecock

Lift

A defensive shot hit upward from near the net, sending the shuttle high to the back of the court.

Also called: lob
See also: Shuttlecock

Push

A gentle shot played from mid-court, guiding the shuttle just over the net without much power.

See also: Shuttlecock

Block

A defensive shot used to return a powerful smash, redirecting it softly rather than swinging hard.

Movement and strategy terms

Rally

A sequence of one or more strokes starting with the serve, until the shuttle stops being in play.

See also: Shuttlecock

Footwork

The quick stepping patterns players use to move efficiently around the court to reach the shuttle.

See also: Shuttlecock

Ready position

The balanced, alert stance a player takes between shots, ready to move in any direction.

Singles

A match with one player on each side of the net.

Doubles

A match with two players on each side of the net, using the wider doubles court.

Mixed doubles

A doubles match where each team has one male and one female player.

Results and officials

Winner

A shot so good the opponent can't return it, ending the point outright.

Unforced error

A mistake made with little pressure from the opponent, essentially a self-inflicted error.

In

A shuttle that lands on or inside the boundary lines of the relevant court is in. All lines are part of the area they mark out.

Also called: out
See also: Shuttlecock

Let

A halt to play when something unexpected happens, for example the server serves before the receiver is ready, the shuttle is caught on top of the net or the shuttle breaks apart. The rally does not count and the last server serves again.

Umpire

The official in charge of the match, the court and its immediate surroundings. The umpire calls faults and lets and decides appeals on points of dispute.

Match procedure

Toss

Before play, the side that wins the toss chooses either to serve or receive first, or which end to start at. The other side takes the remaining choice.

Change of ends

Players change ends after the first game, after the second game if there is a third, and in the third game when a side first reaches 11 points. Under the 3×15 system the in-game change comes at 8 points.

Also called: change ends, changing ends

Interval

A short break that the Laws allow: during a game when the leading score reaches 11 points, and between games. Under the 3×15 system the in-game interval comes at 8 points.

I · Intermediate · 22 wordsNext: Intermediate words