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Badminton is a sport that has been around since the 16th century and is played by two or four players. The aim of the game is to score points by successfully hitting a shuttlecock over a net. The court measures 44 feet (13.4 m) long and 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. When playing singles, the width is reduced to 17 feet (5.2 m). The net is placed at the halfway point of the court, 5 feet (1.5 m) above the ground. The shuttlecock must be hit below the waist and only once before it goes over the net. Points are scored when the shuttlecock successfully lands in the opponent's court or if the opponent commits a fault.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 or 4 |
| Objective | Score points by successfully hitting the shuttlecock over the net |
| Court dimensions | 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 20 ft (6.1 m) wide |
| Net height | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Service rules | Serve from the right half of the court to the diagonally opposite court; no second serves; serve must be hit underarm and below the server's waist |
| Scoring | A fault results in a point for the opponent; a game is won by reaching 21 points or 2 clear points when tied at 20-20 |
| Faults | Hitting the net with any part of the body or racket, double-hitting the shuttlecock, failing to serve over the net, etc. |
| Indoor/outdoor | Played indoors |
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What You'll Learn
How to set up the badminton court
Setting up a badminton court in your backyard is a fun way to play the sport at home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up a badminton court:
Firstly, decide where to set up the court. If you have a small backyard, you may have to set it up in the middle. If you have a bigger space, you can choose a more suitable spot. If you are setting up the court on grass, mow the lawn to ensure the grass is short, as it is easier to play on. Avoid setting up the court on uneven ground, or on ground that is often wet. If you are setting up on a hard surface, make sure it won't be in direct sunlight, as this can cause the surface to get too hot.
Next, mark out the boundaries of the court. The full court size is 20 ft by 44 ft. You can use duct tape, paint or chalk to mark the lines. Start by marking the outermost lines, then the sidelines, which are used for singles play. Then, add the front and back service lines, which are horizontal to the net. If you don't want to paint permanent lines, you can use tape to mark the lines, which can be easily removed after playing.
Now, set up the net. The net should be placed a little over 5 feet off the ground (1.52 meters). Set up poles on either side of the net, lay the net on the ground, hook it to the poles, and then place the poles firmly into the ground. Remember to take the net down and put it back up every few days to prevent drooping.
Finally, consider adding a fence around the court to prevent shuttlecocks from flying into your neighbour's garden. You may also want to set up floodlights so that you can play at night. Make sure that the lights are the correct brightness and intensity to avoid causing strain for players trying to spot the shuttlecock.
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The rules of badminton
Badminton is a fun and unique sport that can be played casually or competitively. Here are the rules to play by:
The Basics
Badminton is played with a racquet and a shuttlecock, also known as a shuttle. The shuttlecock is a feathered projectile that is sensitive to wind, so competitive badminton is played indoors. The game is played on a rectangular court that is divided into halves by a net. The number of players can vary, but the most common formats are singles (one player per side) and doubles (two players per side).
Scoring
A match typically consists of the best of three games. To win a game, a player or pair must be the first to score 21 points. If the game reaches 20-20, the winner is the side that gains a 2-point lead. If the game goes to 29-29, the next point wins.
Serving
The game starts with a coin toss, with the winner deciding who serves or receives first, or which side of the court they will be on. The shuttle must be served underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole shuttle should be below 1.15 metres from the court surface when hit. The server must hit the shuttle upwards so that it passes over the net and, if not intercepted, lands in the receiver's service court.
Rally
During a rally, a player wins a point when their opponent fails to return the shuttlecock, and it touches the floor of the opponent's side of the court. The shuttlecock can only be struck once by each side before it crosses the net. Players are not allowed to touch the net with their body or racquet during play. If there is an unforeseen issue, a 'let' may be called and the rally is replayed.
Court
The full width of the court is 6.1 metres, reduced to 5.18 metres for singles. The full length is 13.4 metres. The service courts are marked by a centre line and a short service line, with the outer side and back boundaries. In doubles, there is also a long service line, 0.76 metres from the back boundary.
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Badminton scoring system
Badminton is played either as singles or doubles. In singles, two players compete against each other, and in doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete, resulting in a game of four players. The badminton scoring system has undergone several changes over the years, with the latest rules implemented by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in 2006.
The current scoring system is as follows: a match is played as the best of three games. The first side to reach 21 points wins, and a point is scored on every serve, awarded to the side that wins the rally. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side has a two-point lead, and if the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score 30 wins. After each game, players change ends, and in a third game, the changeover occurs when one side reaches 11 points.
The receiver's position is determined by the server's score, with the receiver standing diagonally opposite the server. In doubles, the server starts on the right and keeps serving from that side as long as their team keeps winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve, and the player who did not initially serve for their team will then serve once their side wins a point.
In terms of serving protocol, a coin toss decides who serves first in a major tournament, while in more casual games, players may toss the shuttlecock and let it land to determine the first server. The server and receiver stand in diagonally opposite service courts, and a legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net and underarm below waist height. The shuttlecock should be below 1.15m from the court surface when hit, and it must not bounce. After a point is won, players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point.
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Badminton faults
Badminton is a dynamic sport that requires not just skill and strategy but also a good understanding of its rules and regulations. Here are some of the most common faults in badminton:
Service Faults
The service is one of the most critical aspects of badminton, and there are strict rules governing its execution. Common service faults include failing to hit the shuttlecock below waist height, stepping on or over the service line before hitting the shuttlecock, serving from an incorrect position or outside the service court boundaries, and any deliberate attempts to deceive the opponent with illegal service actions, such as a flick or a double motion. Service faults can also occur when a player pauses between the backswing and forward swing of their serve or takes an extremely slow serving action, which is considered an undue delay.
Contact Faults
Contact faults occur when the shuttlecock comes into contact with any object or person other than the player's racket. This includes hitting the ceiling or walls, resulting in a lost rally. Contact faults can also occur when a player double-hits the shuttlecock, either by themselves or in collaboration with their teammate.
Behavioural Faults
Behavioural faults relate to player conduct and sportsmanship. This includes the use of offensive language or gestures, unsportsmanlike behaviour such as arguing with the referee, intentionally distracting the opponent, or employing stalling tactics to gain an advantage.
Net Faults
Net faults occur when any part of the player's body or racket touches the net during the game. This results in the point being awarded to the opponent.
To avoid faults and ensure fair play, badminton players should practice proper technique, maintain court awareness, and demonstrate good sportsmanship.
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History of badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. The game is believed to have ancient roots, with similar games played in ancient Greece, China, and India. The modern game, however, has its origins in India during the mid-19th century, specifically in the city of Pune (then known as Poona), where it was played by British army officers stationed there. The sport was then taken to England and first played at the Badminton country estate of the 9th Duke of Beaufort, Henry Somerset, in Gloucestershire around 1873. The sport is named after this Badminton estate.
In India, the game was known as "Poona," and the first rules for the game were drawn up in 1873. By 1875, officers returning to England had started a badminton club in Folkestone. The Bath Badminton Club was established in 1877 and introduced new rules to the game. The game quickly spread and gained popularity, with the formation of the Badminton Association of England (BAE) in 1893 marking a significant step in standardizing the rules and regulations of the sport across England. The BAE launched the sport at a house called "Dunbar" in Portsmouth in 1893 and also started the first badminton competition, the All England Open Badminton Championships, in 1899.
The rules of badminton have evolved significantly over the years. In the early days, the game was a simple rally competition, with players trying to hit the shuttlecock as many times as possible without it touching the ground. The introduction of a net and court in the 1800s by British army officers in India transformed the game. The scoring system also saw a significant change in 2001. Previously, players played up to 15 points, and only the serving side could score points. Since the change, players compete in a rally point system up to 21 points, and a two-point lead is required to win a game.
The equipment used in badminton has also undergone significant transformations. The first badminton rackets were made of a single piece of wood with animal gut strings, while shuttlecocks were made from unrefined bird feathers. Over time, rackets became lighter and were made of aluminium or steel, and carbon fibre revolutionised racket construction in the 1950s. Today, graphite composite rackets are used, providing both control and power. Shuttlecocks have also evolved, with feathers becoming standardised and the use of synthetic materials replacing natural feathers in recent years.
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