• Learn the rules for serving the shuttlecock in badminton.Badminton image by JG Design from Fotolia.com
  
  Badminton is a racket sport developed in the middle of the 18th century in British-controlled India. The game was later standardized with rules codified by the Badminton Association of England in 1893. Specific rules governing service (serving the shuttlecock) in badminton keep the serve standard in leagues and clubs that play the sport.
  
  

Proper Racket Position

• When a serve occurs in badminton, the racket must first hit the base of the shuttle. The server must hold his racket so that the shaft is facing downward when it hits the shuttle. The server must continue the forward motion of his racket when serving. The entire shuttle must be below a server’s waist (below the bottom rib) when it is hit by the racket.
  
  

Serving Timeline

• The server may only serve when the receiver is ready. The receiver is considered ready if he has attempted to return the serve. The serve begins when the server’s racket head begins to move forward. The serve is officially delivered when the shuttle is initially hit by the racket or if the server misses the shuttle.
  
  

Undue Delay

• Undue delay is a term that refers to the delay made by either player after the server’s racket head has completed moving backward during the serve. Neither player is allowed to cause an undue delay during the serve.
  
  

Positioning

• The server and receiver must stand in diagonally opposite service courts. They may not touch the boundary lines of either of those courts. Both feet must stay in contact with the surface of the court until the delivery of the serve.
  
  

Doubles

• When playing doubles, partners can be in either service court as long as they do not block the sight of the opposing server.