How Badminton Service Faults Work

Badminton server contacting the shuttle below the fixed service-height line

How Badminton Service Faults Work Explainer

A legal badminton service begins with the server and receiver in diagonally opposite service courts without touching the boundary lines. Some part of both feet must remain in contact with the court in a stationary position from the start of the service until the shuttle is delivered.

The server's racket must initially hit the base of the shuttle, and the whole shuttle must be below the fixed service height of 1.15 metres at the instant of contact. Once the service starts, the racket must continue forward without an undue pause or deceptive stop.

The shuttle must travel upward from the racket, pass over the net, and, if uninterrupted, land inside the receiver's correct service court. Missing the shuttle while attempting the serve, serving from the wrong court, or breaking the required motion or height rules can cost the rally.

A service judge watches the contact height, feet, racket path, and shuttle flight, while the umpire may also call faults. The exact court changes with singles, doubles, and the server's score, but the central principle remains a continuous, controlled delivery from a stationary base into the proper diagonal target.

The whole shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the court surface.

No. Part of both feet must remain stationary and in contact with the court until the serve is delivered.

Yes. It must be delivered toward the receiver's correct diagonal service court.

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