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Badminton · Level 3: Pre-Intermediate · Sub-level 3.2

Singles Basics

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown

The singles court and base, the serve in singles, returning serve, rally patterns, the clear-drop game, attacking and defending alone, covering the court, men's and women's singles styles and singles mistakes.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1The singles courtTake a test

  1. Singles is played inside the inner side lines.

    Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall

  2. The full length of the court is used in singles.

    Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall

  3. In singles one player covers the whole half.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  4. Singles uses the narrower width but the full length.

    Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall

  5. Covering a whole half alone is demanding.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  6. Even score, right court; odd score, left.

    Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall

  7. An odd score means the left court.

    Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied

  8. In singles the doubles long service line is not used for serving.

    Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall

  9. The doubles side line is the outer one.

    Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · recall

  10. Singles uses the inner side lines and the full length.

    Source: BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view) · applied

Test 2Serving in singlesTake a test

  1. A high deep serve pushes the receiver to the back line.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  2. A central target narrows the receiver's angles.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  3. A steep fall at the back makes it hard to attack.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall

  4. A tight low serve stops the receiver smashing.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  5. The manual: to the same side you served to, to cover straight replies.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  6. A short high serve invites the smash.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  7. A short high serve gives the strongest player an easy smash.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  8. Position, swing, flight, steep fall.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall

  9. From the front of the box to the back line.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall

  10. A high singles serve is aimed to fall steeply at the back.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

Test 3Returning serve in singlesTake a test

  1. Singles receivers stand further back than doubles receivers.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  2. Singles serves are often deep, so the receiver starts deeper.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  3. Attacking returns put the server on the back foot.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  4. Returns of low serves stay tight or push deep.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  5. A short weak lift is easy for the server to attack.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  6. Adjust the receiving position to the server's pattern.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  7. A high clear buys time.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  8. Behind the shuttle, then attack and follow up.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  9. From defensive to attacking.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  10. From high above the head, steeply down is a smash.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

Test 4The clear-drop gameTake a test

  1. Clears and drops use the length of the court.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  2. The same preparation hides the shot.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall

  3. Slow drops fall just over the net.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall

  4. Fast drops cut the opponent's reaction time.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall

  5. A forced lift is a chance to attack.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  6. Early forward movement leaves the back open.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  7. A floating drop can be killed or pushed.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  8. Back, then front.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  9. Slow drops land closest to the net.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · recall

  10. A gentle overhead landing just over the net is a slow drop.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied

Test 5Attacking in singlesTake a test

  1. Smash from good positions; otherwise play a drop or clear.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  2. A singles smasher must recover alone.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  3. The straight reply comes back on the same line.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  4. A strong smash forces a weak block.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  5. Following in lets the smasher take the next shot early.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  6. Mixing shots hides intentions.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  7. Body and sideline smashes are hardest to return.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  8. Smash, follow in, finish.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  9. Jump smashes cost most energy.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 9 · recall

  10. Moving in after a smash takes the block early.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

Test 6Defending in singlesTake a test

  1. First survive, then turn defence to attack.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  2. A cross block moves the smasher diagonally.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  3. Height and depth buy time.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  4. Flat smashes can be driven back.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  5. A low wide base reaches either side.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  6. Shade the base to the likely shot.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  7. A short lift invites a kill.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  8. Block, force a lift, attack.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  9. From buying time to taking it.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  10. A soft short reply off a smash is a block.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

Test 7Covering the courtTake a test

  1. A base between shots shortens every move.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  2. High or tight shots buy recovery time.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  3. Moving off before the opponent hits can be wrong-footed.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  4. Wrong-footing plays behind a moving opponent.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  5. Timing the split-step with the hit allows a fast start.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6 · recall

  6. Playing behind a recovering player wrong-foots them.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  7. Height buys time.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  8. Hit, recover, split, move.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 6 · recall

  9. Higher shots give more time.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  10. Hitting back into the space just left catches the opponent going the wrong way.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

Test 8Men's and women's singles stylesTake a test

  1. Men's singles uses more jump smashing.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  2. Women's singles is often more patient with longer rallies.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  3. High serves stay common in women's singles.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  4. Strong smashers punish high serves.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  5. Precise corners matter in both.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  6. Patience means waiting for the right shot.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  7. Clears and drops move the opponent before the attack.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  8. Build, then attack.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  9. Net shots are slowest, smashes fastest.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 9 · recall

  10. Hitting down in the air is a jump smash.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 7 · applied

Test 9Thinking in singlesTake a test

  1. Early rallies reveal where to play.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  2. Change a losing plan.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  3. Do not change a winning game.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  4. Exploit slow forward movement.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  5. Play to the weakness.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  6. Choose the shot with the best chance.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  7. Short reflection between rallies guides tactics.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 10 · recall

  8. Read, plan, play, review.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  9. The manual's three decision times.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  10. Targeting a weak area is basic singles tactics.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

Test 10Common singles mistakesTake a test

  1. Cross-court shots need a quicker recovery.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  2. Constant power wastes energy and lacks variety.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  3. Short lifts are punished.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  4. Recovery starts right after hitting.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  5. Off balance, the safe shot is better.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  6. A little more margin over the net reduces errors.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

  7. A short high serve is easy to attack.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  8. One weak shot leads to the loss.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  9. Safety first when off balance.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · recall

  10. A short lift invites a smash.

    Source: BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 8 · applied

Sources

BWF Coaches' Manual Level 1 (2017), BWF regulations and history, Olympedia; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category (Badminton - Laws of Badminton).

  • BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 878
  • BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 79
  • BWF Laws of Badminton 2027 (player's view)8
  • BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 92
  • BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 62
  • BWF Coaches' Manual L1, Module 101