Backyard badminton setup: court, net, rules and wind tips

Backyard badminton is one of the easiest ways to get a group moving. It needs few skills, little equipment and a patch of lawn. The challenge is mostly practical: getting the net the right height, finding enough level space and coping with wind. This guide walks through the setup and offers a simple version of the rules.

What you need

• A badminton set with net, poles, rackets and shuttlecocks
• A tape measure and a rope or chalk for marking the court
• Stakes or weights for the poles
• A level, if the lawn is uneven
• Extra shuttlecocks, since they get lost and damaged

Step 1: find the right spot

1. Measure the space. A doubles court is 44 by 20 feet. Add several feet on every side for running, and more behind the baseline for backing up. Our yard fit calculator shows what fits.
2. Look for level ground. A slope makes the shuttlecock fly strangely and tires players.
3. Check for hazards. Walk the lawn and look for holes, rocks, sprinklers and tent stakes.
4. Pick the sheltered side. A house, fence or hedge can break the wind. Wind direction matters, so turn the court if you can.
5. Mind the sun. Low afternoon sun makes it hard to see a white shuttlecock. Face the court along the sun's path, not across it, if you can.

Step 2: mark the court

Marking is optional for casual play but helps players understand the area.

1. Mark the net line across the center of the court.
2. Mark the sidelines, 20 feet apart for doubles, or 17 feet for singles, centered on the net posts.
3. Mark the baselines, 22 feet from the net on each side.
4. Optional: mark the short service line, which sits 6 feet 6 inches from the net, and the center line for the serve.

Chalk, rope or sports-field line marker can do the job. On lawn, a rope and a few stakes are easy and leave no mark.

Step 3: set up the net

1. Place the poles at the sidelines, in line with the net line.
2. Extend them until the top of the net is 5 feet 1 inch above the ground at the posts. Use a tape measure.
3. Attach the net and tension the top cord so that it does not sag. The center should be 5 feet high.
4. Stake or weigh down the poles. Use guy lines at an angle, and make sure players cannot trip on them.
5. Check again. Poles can lean, and nets stretch.

Step 4: a simple version of the rules

Badminton rules for tournaments are published by governing bodies, and they can be detailed. For backyard play, a simple version is enough:

1. Serve underhand, diagonally across the net, with the shuttlecock hit below the waist.
2. Rally scoring: every rally scores a point for the winner, whoever served.
3. Play to 21 points, winning by 2, with a cap at 30 in the official rules.
4. A shuttlecock that lands on the line is in.
5. Players cannot touch the net or hit the shuttlecock twice in a row.
6. Change ends after each game.

For kids and beginners, ease the rules. Allow a second chance on serves, play to 11 or let the shuttlecock bounce, so rallies last.

Step 5: wind and weather

• Light breeze: switch sides at the midpoint of a game so no team always has the wind at their back.
• Stiff breeze: play in a sheltered spot, use plastic shuttlecocks, or choose another game. Badminton is nearly impossible in strong wind.
• Rain: do not play on slick grass. Dry the net and rackets afterward.
• Heat: take breaks and drink water.
• Evening: a white shuttlecock disappears at dusk. Add lights, or switch to a game that works in low light.

Small-yard options

If you do not have 44 by 20 feet, you can still play:

• Use a lower net or a shorter court for fun, accepting that it will not match the official game.
• Play singles, which is narrower at 17 feet.
• Rotate players, so that fewer people are on court at once.
• Try a different game, such as ring toss or cornhole, which need less room. See our giant yard games page.

Safety

Keep a safe distance between players, and make sure children swing rackets away from others. Wear sunglasses in glare. Check the court for hazards, and stretch before long games.

Common mistakes

1. Setting the net too low.
2. Playing in strong wind.
3. Ignoring uneven ground.
4. Using feather shuttlecocks outdoors.
5. Skimping on spares.