Amanda Knapp
Badminton is a racket sport that can be played by two players against each other or by two teams of two players. The aim is to score points by successfully hitting a shuttlecock back and forth over a net. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game, and the first team to win two games wins the match. The badminton court is 44 feet long by 20 feet wide, with a net positioned halfway across the court at a height of 5 feet. Players use lightweight rackets made from aluminium, steel, graphite, or carbon fibre, and shuttlecocks, also known as birds or birdies, which are small cork hemispheres pierced by 16 goose feathers. To get started, it's recommended to find a local club or some friends to play with, invest in some decent equipment, and watch some tutorials.
| 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 |
| Singles court dimensions | 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 17 ft (5.2 m) wide |
| Net height | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Service | Served from the right half of the court to the diagonally opposite court |
| Scoring | Points are scored when an opponent commits a fault, such as failing to hit the shuttlecock over the net or hitting it out of bounds |
| Equipment | Lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock |
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What You'll Learn
Know the court dimensions
Badminton is played on a rectangular court that is divided in half by a net. The court dimensions vary slightly depending on whether you are playing singles or doubles.
For singles, the court measures 13.4 metres (44 feet) in length and 5.18 metres (17 feet) in width. There is a 'short service line' that is 1.98 metres (6.5 feet) from the net, and a 'long service line' that is 2.2 metres (7.2 feet) from the net and 0.76 metres (2.5 feet) from the back boundary.
For doubles, the court is slightly wider, measuring 6.1 metres (20 feet) in width. The long service line is also closer to the back boundary, at 0.76 metres (2.5 feet) from it.
The net should be placed in the middle of the court, stretching from sideline to sideline. It should be 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the ends and 1.52 metres (5 feet) high in the middle. The poles that support the net are set at 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) from the court's surface.
Clearances of 0.61 metres (2 feet) should be provided around the entire court to keep athletes and spectators safe and allow for free movement. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) specifies that the minimum ceiling height for tournament play is 12 metres (39 feet 4 inches).
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Understand the rules of serving
Serving in badminton comes with a set of rules that players must follow. Firstly, the serve must be hit 'underarm', meaning that the server's racket head and shaft must be angled in a downward direction, and the shuttle must be struck below the waist. In elite BWF competitions, the shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the floor when hit. Both feet should be planted on the ground, with no part touching the service line or other court boundaries. The server must strike the cork of the shuttlecock, not the feathers, and the shuttlecock must be hit below the waist.
In terms of positioning, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. When a player has an odd number of points, they serve from the left. In badminton doubles, the server starts on the right-hand side and keeps serving while alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins the point, they assume the serve.
It is important to note that there are no second serves in badminton, unlike in tennis. If the shuttlecock hits the net but continues over and lands past the service line, the server wins the rally. If it hits the net and lands short of the service line or wide of the court, the receiver wins the point.
To avoid disputes during the game, it is recommended to clarify the rules with the opponent beforehand, especially when playing at a venue with additional structures above the court. For example, if the shuttlecock strikes any fixtures above the court, such as lights or beams, it is up to the tournament director to determine a let or fault.
Finally, players should be mindful of not causing undue delay during the serving action. While there is no strict time limit, players have been faulted for taking too long to serve.
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Learn how to score points
To score points in badminton, you must win rallies. A rally is won when the shuttlecock lands inside your opponent's court. If the shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court, the opponent loses the point. Players can also score points when their opponent commits a fault. Faults include failing to hit the shuttlecock over the net, landing outside the boundary of the court, hitting the shuttlecock multiple times, or touching the net with your body or racket. The scoring system is the same for singles and doubles games.
Each time a point is scored, players move to the opposite service court. For example, if you start with 3 points and serve from the left service court, you will move to the right service court if you win the rally, now having 4 points. The first serve of a game is always from the right service court. When the player's score is odd, they serve from the left service court. After 11 points, there is a 1-minute break, and a 2-minute break between games.
To win a game, players must reach 21 points and have a 2-point lead over their opponent. If the score is tied at 29-29, the next point wins. Matches are played as best of three games.
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Know the equipment needed
To play badminton, you will need a few pieces of essential equipment. The first, and most important, is a racket. Badminton rackets are lightweight and easy to swing, and they come in a variety of sizes and materials to suit different players' needs. You'll also need a shuttlecock, which is a unique feature of badminton and is hit back and forth over a net. The shuttlecock is typically made from synthetic materials and has a cork tip at one end and feathers at the other. It is important to have a net to play badminton, which should be made of a fine mesh and be positioned halfway across the court at a height of 5 feet (1.5 m).
In addition to these basics, you will, of course, need a court to play on. A badminton court is 44 feet (13.4 m) long and 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. For singles matches, the width is reduced to 17 feet (5.2 m). The court should be marked with clear lines to indicate the boundaries and service areas.
While not strictly essential, it is also a good idea to have some cones or markers to help delineate the court boundaries and service courts, especially if you are playing on a surface without permanent badminton court markings. You may also want to consider investing in some comfortable and non-restrictive sports clothing and footwear to allow you to move freely and easily during the game.
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Understand faults and how to win a rally
To win a badminton rally, you must strike the shuttlecock so that it touches the floor of the opponent's side of the court, or when your opponent commits a fault. A fault occurs when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net, or if it lands outside the boundary of the court. Players are also not allowed to touch the net or its supports with their racket, body or clothing. Each side can only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net, and once hit, a player cannot strike it again in a new movement or shot.
A rally ends when the shuttlecock hits the floor or a fault is committed. A point is scored on every serve, no matter which player is serving. If the server loses the rally, the serve goes to the opponent for the next play.
It is important to understand the rules of badminton before playing your first game. The aim is to score points by successfully hitting the shuttlecock over the net and into the opponent's court, making sure they cannot return it. A badminton match is the best of three games, with each game played up to 21 points. To win, a player must be two points ahead.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton is a court or lawn game played with lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock. The object of the game is to score points by successfully hitting the shuttlecock over the net and within the bounds of the court.
Badminton can be played with either two or four players.
Players can score points when their opponent fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or it lands outside the boundary of the court. A player can also win a point if their opponent hits the shuttlecock more than once in a single turn or makes a new movement or shot after hitting it.
