Area of play for doubles is the full court. However, for service, the back box, i.e in between the two baselines is considered out. You can serve within the sidelines as well.
Badminton Rules: Doubles – what's in and what's out? During the main part of a badminton doubles rally, every part of the court is in. However, the serve must fall into the 'short and ' area diagonally opposite the server. The side tramlines are in, but the rear tramlines are out during the serve.
Each doubles service court is bounded by the short service line, the centerline, the doubles sideline, and the doubles back service line. Its dimensions are 13 feet (3.96 m) long by 10 feet (3.05 m) wide. It is sometimes referred to as short and . The side alley is in bounds; the back alley is not.
The outer sidelines are marked 5.18m (17.00ft) apart and run parallel to one another. Any shot that lands inside the doubles sideline is considered “in” or valid for doubles matches. If the shuttlecock lands outside the outer sideline in doubles, it is considered out of play.
- A legal doubles serve would land in the area bounded by the center line, the doubles long service line, the doubles side line and the short service line (short and wide). - Once the serve is made in doubles, the court area is bounded by the doubles sideline and the back boundary line.
In singles the court is thinner, with the wide, outside 'tramlines' out of bounds. In doubles the court is full width and these tramlines are now 'in'. During service in doubles, the court is short, with the rear 'tramlines'at the back of the court, being out of bounds until the serve is returned.
Touching the net with the body or the racket is illegal and will result in the loss of the serve or a point awarded to the serving team. Only one hit is allowed per side. If the shuttle hits or goes over the top of the basketball backboard (when they are in their put away position), it will be considered out of bounds.
- If the shuttle lands outside the boundaries of the court, passes through or under the net, fail to pass the net, touches the ceiling or side walls, touches the person or dress of a player or touches any other object or person. - If the initial point of contact with the shuttle is not on the striker's side of the net.
So just to be clear, a doubles service court is made from these four lines: The centre line. A doubles side line (outside side line) The front service line. The inside back line (not the very back line, but the next one in)