Badminton / Law 09

Service

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: 5–6
In short

Legal delivery, readiness and separate Para badminton provisions.

On this pageDeliver a legal serviceReadiness and Para badminton

Deliver a legal service

Serve upwards into the diagonally opposite service court. Server and receiver stay off its boundary lines, with part of both feet stationary on the floor until delivery. Release without adding spin; hit the base first with the whole shuttle below 1.15 metres. Move the racket continuously forwards once service starts; missing the shuttle is a fault. Neither side may delay unduly.

Readiness and Para badminton

Wait until the receiver is ready; an attempted return counts as readiness. Doubles partners must not obscure opponents’ sight. In wheelchair play, wheels stay still except natural server counter-movement, and the shuttle is below the armpit at contact. Medically approved Para foot-contact exceptions apply. The document references further alternative service provisions for wheelchair and standing classes, without reproducing their full text.

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.
Sources & approach ↗