What is an Alley in Badminton?

Affilate Program Icon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy for more information.

I’ve mentioned elsewhere that the badminton shuttlecock is still “in” when it falls on a line. But when can it be truly “out?” Here’s a simple answer — when it ends up in an alley!

Alleys in badminton are designated spaces marked by parallel 40 mm lines on either the sides or both ends of the court. The alleys on both sides of the court are “illegal” areas for singles play. Players can move into this area during doubles play, however. The side alleys are 420 mm each for singles play while the back alleys measure 720 mm each, per the Laws of Badminton.

Read on to learn more about what an alley is on the court and how you can get ahead by using it properly!

Join our mailing list on our About Page for exclusives, offers, and the latest news from BadmintonBites! By joining, you’ll get 25% off anything from our shop!

BadmintonBites Free Downloadable PDF Badminton 101

What are Alleys and Back Alleys in Badminton?

There are two kinds of alleys — the ones on the sides and the ones on the ends of the court.

The alleys on the side of the badminton court represent illegal areas measuring 420 mm, running from one end of the court to the other. The back alleys are 720 mm each, running from one side of the court to the other.

Alleys
Badminton Court Alleys

What are the Purposes of the Alley and Back Alley in Badminton?

Ultimately, both the alleys and back alleys serve one purpose:

The purpose of the alley and back alley is to designate legal playing areas at certain times of the game. Alleys represent illegal service and playing areas during singles games; but are legal service areas for doubles games. However, the back alleys are illegal areas for service during doubles games. The back alleys are legal for long service for singles games and after. They’re also part of the legal areas of play in both singles and doubles games.

Are Alleys Included in Singles Games?

In singles games, the back alleys become part of the legal area of play following service. For alleys, it’s a different story.

Alleys aren’t included because they’re illegal areas for both service and play. In a singles match, if the shuttlecock falls on these alleys during a rally, the last person to hit loses a point. Serving in an alley also constitutes a service fault, giving the opposing player the point and the right to service.

How Can You Use the Alley to Win a Badminton Game?

There are two ways you can use the alleys to your advantage:

When you’re playing a singles match, you can strike the shuttlecock as close to the side alley as possible. It might seem risky, but it will force your opponent to decide between trying to hit it or letting it drop. The moment of hesitation makes things harder for your opponent either way.

Capitalize on the Alley Whenever Possible

More than what the alleys are for, they’re potential parts of the court that you can use in your strategy. However you decide to use the alley, it will require practice and skill. If you’re looking to take advantage of alleys and back alleys, up your game first!


Subscribe on our About Us page, see you there!

Thank you for reading! Our most popular posts are our badminton equipment posts, make sure to check them out next.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our email list down below for a FREE downloadable PDF and a 25% COUPON CODE for our store.

BadmintonBites is all about honest and authentic badminton content. The goal of BadmintonBites is to create real value for the badminton community, which is often plagued with subpar or downright false content on the internet.

Badminton deserves so much more and we’re here to share our experience and expertise with you. You can read more about BadmintonBites and our purpose on our About Us page.

We would love to have you with us on our badminton journey and we hope to provide you with as much value as possible.


Here’s some guides and reviews on badminton products. We update this list whenever we add new equipment content – hope you enjoy!

Equipment TypeProduct Category
Bags Yonex Badminton and Tennis Bags
Yonex Pro Racquet Bag (9 PCS) Review
GripsYonex Grips
Yonex Clean Grap Review
Yonex Hi Soft Grap Review
Yonex Super Grap Review
Yonex Super Grap Tough Review
Yonex Tacky Fit Grip Review
Kimony KGT109 Grip Review
Badminton Grip Buyer’s Guide
RacketsYonex Astrox Series
Yonex Duora Series
Yonex Nanoflare Series
Yonex Nanoray Series
Yonex Voltric Series
Victor Auraspeed Series
Victor Thruster Series
Victor DriveX Series
Victor Light Fighter Series
Best Rackets for Beginners
Best Rackets for Intermediate Players
Best Rackets for Smashing
Best Rackets for Control
Badminton Racket Buyer’s Guide
Astrox 77 Review
Astrox 77 Pro Review
Astrox 88D Pro Review
ShoesYonex Shoes
Shoe Products
ShuttlecocksUltimate List of Badminton Shuttlecocks
Yonex Shuttlecocks (Feathered)
Yonex Shuttlecocks (Synthetic)
Yonex Aerosensa 20 (AS-20) Review
Yonex Aerosensa 30 (AS-30) Review
Yonex Aerosensa 50 (AS-50) Review
Victor Shuttlecocks Overview
Victor AirShuttles
Victor Master No. 3 Review
Li-Ning Shuttlecocks Overview
Aeroplane Black Label (EG1130) Review
StringsVictor and Ashaway Strings
Yonex Strings
Best Badminton Strings for Beginners
MiscYonex Accessories Guide
8 Pieces of Equipment Every Badminton Player Needs
16 Best Gifts for Badminton Fans

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *