Badminton / Law 11

Doubles

BWF · 2025 · v5.0 (2)
Last checked: 15 October 2026
Source: BWF Statutes Section 4.1 — Laws of Badminton — in force 26/04/2025, version 5.0 (2) · Source pages: 7–8
In short

Service courts, partners and the rotation of service.

On this pageService courts and rally winnersThe service sequence

Service courts and rally winners

Serve from the right at a zero or even team score, and from the left at an odd score. The diagonal opponent receives. Partners change service courts only after winning a point while serving. A winning server serves again from the alternate court; if the receivers win, they score and take service. After the return, either partner may hit, with sides alternating.

The service sequence

As service passes between sides, the sequence is initial server, initial receiver’s partner, initial server’s partner, initial receiver, then repeats. The receiving player who last served retains that service court; their partner occupies the other. Do not serve or receive out of turn, subject to correction and misconduct provisions. Either winning partner may start serving the next game; either opponent may receive first.

Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied BWF Laws of Badminton, version 5.0 (2), effective 26/04/2025. Condensed independent explanations, with Para badminton exceptions identified separately. Referenced alternative rules and later changes are not automatically included. Page references use the supplied PDF.
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