Who serves, and from where, in badminton doubles?
I · Intermediate · Serving · 3 of 10In doubles each side has one serve at a time. The serving side's score decides the court: even, the player in the right court serves; odd, the player in the left. Partners swap courts only when they win a point on their own serve. The doubles service court is short and wide.
How it works
- Even score for the serving side: serve from the right court. Odd: from the left.
- The receiver is the opponent standing diagonally opposite. The receiver's partner must not hit the serve.
- Serving side wins the rally: a point, the same server serves again from the other court, swapping with their partner.
- Receiving side wins the rally: a point, and they become the serving side. Nobody changes courts. Whoever is standing in the court that matches their new score serves.
- So players change service courts only when their side wins a point while serving.
- The order of serving passes from the first server to the first receiver's partner, to the first server's partner, to the first receiver and round again.
- During the serve, the partners may stand anywhere on their side that does not block the opposing server's or receiver's view.
- After the serve is returned, either partner may hit the shuttle, from anywhere on their side.
- Doubles service court: from the short service line to the doubles long service line (0.76 metres inside the back line), out to the doubles side line.
Tricky cases
Is there a second serve in doubles?
No. Each side has one serve. When the serving side loses the rally, the serve passes to the other side.
Can the stronger player receive every serve?
No. No player may receive two serves in a row in the same game. The receiver is whoever is in the diagonal court.
Do partners take turns to hit the shuttle in a rally?
No. After the serve is returned, either partner can play each shot. A side still has only one hit before the shuttle must cross the net.
Is a serve to the back line in doubles out?
Yes. The doubles service court ends at the doubles long service line, 0.76 metres short of the back line. In the rally the full length of the court is in.
Why the rule exists
One serve per side keeps doubles on the same rally-point scoring as singles. Fixing who stands where stops a strong server or receiver taking every serve.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Doubles | As above | L9.5, 11 |
| Mixed doubles | The same Laws; no separate rules | L Definitions (Doubles) |
From the rule book
BWF Laws of Badminton, Laws 9.5, 11 and 13.2.3 and Diagram A, version 5.0, in force from 26 April 2025. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: BWF Laws of Badminton (PDF).