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Badminton · Laws of Badminton

Law 6: Toss

1 parts · 1 tests · 10 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown

Law 6 covers the toss that comes before play. It settles two things: which side serves or receives first, and at which end each side starts. The shuttle itself plays no part in the toss. Law 6 sets out the order of these choices in two short clauses, one for each side.

The side that wins the toss makes one choice. It can choose to serve first, to receive first, or to pick the end at which to start. The side that loses the toss then makes the remaining choice, taking whichever option the winner left open. So each side gets exactly one choice: if the winner picks the end, the loser decides on service, and if the winner chooses to serve first, the loser chooses the end. Once both choices are made, play can begin.

The facts below cover when the toss happens, the options open to its winner and what is left for the side that loses it.

6.61The Toss

When the toss is held, the two choices and who makes which.

Test 1The toss and the two choices it decidesTake a test

  1. A toss is conducted before play commences.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1 · recall

  2. The choices are to serve or receive first, and at which end to start.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1.1, 6.1.2 · recall

  3. The side losing the toss makes the remaining choice.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.2 · applied

  4. One choice each: Law 6 splits them between the two sides.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1, 6.2 · recall

  5. The winner's choice can be to serve or to receive first.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1.1 · applied

  6. Its role is to take whichever option the winner left open.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.2 · recall

  7. The toss settles serving or receiving first and the starting end; the shuttle is not part of it.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1 · recall

  8. Law 6: the toss before play, the winner's choice, then the loser's.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1, 6.2 · recall

  9. Choosing the end leaves the service choice to side 2; then play can begin.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1.2, 6.2 · applied

  10. Serving first uses the winner's choice; side 2 chooses the end.

    Source: BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1, 6.2 · applied

Questions people ask

What does the toss decide in badminton?
It settles whether a side serves or receives first and at which end each side starts.
What can the winner of the toss choose?
The winner chooses either to serve or receive first, or at which end to start.
What does the side that loses the toss get?
It makes the remaining choice. If the winner chose the end, the loser decides on serving or receiving; if the winner chose to serve first, the loser chooses the end.
When is the toss held in badminton?
A toss is conducted before play commences.
Can the toss winner choose to receive first?
Yes. Serving or receiving first is one of the winner's options, and the other side then picks the end.

Sources

BWF Laws of Badminton, V6.0 in force 4 January 2027, Law 6 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1, 6.23
  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.12
  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.22
  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1.1, 6.1.21
  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1.11
  • BWF Laws 2027, Law 6.1.2, 6.21