How to Set Up a Badminton Court

Badminton shuttlecocks can zip through the air at a lightning 200 miles per hour. Here's how to set up a regulation-size court so you won't get left in the dust.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Measuring Tapes
• Chalks Or Paint
• Badminton Set
• Cones

1. Measure space for a doubles-play standard court, defined by the International Badminton Federation as a rectangle 44 feet long and 20 feet wide.
2. Narrow the court width from 20 feet to 17 feet for singles-only play.
3. Mark the borders, or sidelines, of the court with paint or chalk. Lines should be about 1 3/4 inches wide.
4. Use cones or natural boundaries such as trees to mark the perimeter for a casual setup.
5. Tie the ends of the net to posts positioned at the sidelines. The net should divide the length of the court evenly.
6. Hang the net so its top is approximately 5 feet from the playing surface at the center of the court and 5 feet 1 inch above the surface at the sidelines.
7. Measure and mark short service lines for singles play. These lines should be parallel to the net, approximately 15 1/2 feet from the back boundary lines.
8. Measure and mark long service lines for doubles play. These lines are parallel to the net, approximately 2 1/2 feet from the back boundary lines.
9. Measure and mark center lines that extend from both short service lines to both back boundary lines.

Tips & Warnings

• Recreational badminton sets are available at sporting goods stores and include shuttlecocks, rackets, posts, net and installation guides for use on grass and sand surfaces.
• If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.