Amanda Knapp
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. The sport is played with singles or doubles, with one or two players per side. A match is played best out of three games, with each game played up to 21 points. Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock and landing it within the other team's half of the court, within the set boundaries. A player wins a rally when they strike the shuttlecock and it touches the floor of the opponent's side of the court or when the opponent commits a fault.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 or 4 |
| Equipment | Racquets, shuttlecock, net, rectangular court |
| Scoring | Best of 3 games, first to 21 points wins the game, and 2 games win the match |
| Service | Served diagonally across the net, underarm and below the waist |
| Faults | Shuttlecock hits the net or goes out, shuttlecock hits the ceiling, player distraction, shuttlecock caught in the racket and flung, shuttlecock hit twice |
| Rally | When opponent returns the shuttlecock over the net, players can only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net |
| Umpire | Referee and line judges oversee the game and can call lets and faults |
| Rest periods | 90 seconds after the first game and 5 minutes after the second game |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring
Badminton matches are typically played as the best of three games, with each game played up to 21 points. To win a match, a player or pair must win two games. In the event of a tie at 20-20, players must play until one player or pair achieves a two-point advantage. If the game reaches 29-29, the next point wins the game.
A player wins a rally, and therefore a point, when they strike the shuttlecock and it touches the floor of the opponent's side of the court, or when their opponent commits a fault. A fault can include failing to hit the shuttlecock over the net, hitting it outside the boundaries of the court, or if the shuttlecock gets caught in the net. The shuttlecock hitting the ceiling also counts as a fault. If a player deliberately distracts their opponent, or continues to break the rules, the referee can dock them points or they may forfeit the match.
The player who serves first is decided by a toss at the beginning of the game. The server's score is always said first, so if the server has 10 points and their opponent has 15, the score is called 10-15. The server will also switch sides after winning a rally. If the opponents win the rally, the serve passes to them, but the server remains the same person.
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Faults
Badminton is a fast-paced racquet sport that requires skill, strategy, and a good understanding of the rules. Faults are an integral part of the game, and players must adhere to the rules to avoid them. A fault occurs when a player commits a foul, resulting in a point or service loss.
There are several types of faults in badminton, which can be broadly categorized into contact, double hit, service, service received, and over-the-net faults. Contact faults occur when the shuttlecock comes into contact with any object or person other than a racket. The only object that should touch the shuttlecock during a game is a player's racket.
Service faults, or service line faults, are another common type of fault. These occur when a player fails to execute the service correctly. For example, if the shuttlecock is not hit below the waist in an upward motion, or if the server steps on or over the service line before making contact with the shuttlecock, it is considered a fault. Service faults can also occur when a player serves from an incorrect position or outside the service court boundaries, or if they deliberately try to deceive their opponent with illegal service actions such as a flick or a double motion.
Double-hit faults happen when a player hits the shuttlecock twice in succession with their racket or in collaboration with a teammate. This is illegal in badminton and will result in a point for the opposing side.
Additionally, players must be mindful of not causing unnecessary delays during the game, as this can also be considered a fault. This includes taking too long to serve or hesitating during the swing, which can upset the receiver's timing.
Finally, over-the-net faults occur when a player fails to clear the net with their shot. This includes any part of their body or racket touching the net, resulting in a point for the opponent.
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Serving
Service Courts and Positions:
Each player has a designated service court, and these courts remain fixed throughout the rally. Service courts are crucial for serving players as they dictate where the server must stand when initiating a serve. The service courts are positioned diagonally across the net from each other. When the server's score is an even number, they serve from their right service court; when the score is odd, they switch to the left service court. This alternating pattern ensures that servers vary their serving positions.
Order of Serving:
In a badminton match, the order of serving is essential. The game typically starts with a toss to determine which player or team will serve first. When it is a doubles match, the serving pair decides who will serve first, and the receiving pair chooses the receiver. After the first rally, the serve passes to the winning side of the previous rally. If the serving side wins the rally, the same player continues serving but switches to the other service court. If the receiving side wins, they gain the serve, and the original serving side now becomes the receiving side.
Badminton serves must adhere to specific rules. Firstly, the serve must be executed with an underhand stroke, meaning the racquet must swing below the server's waist without any overhand motion. Secondly, the server must strike the shuttlecock in a way that it flies diagonally across the net to the opponent's service court. There are no second serves, so if the first serve goes out, the opponent gets the point.
Strategic Considerations:
Badminton serves can be used strategically to gain an advantage. Players can vary the speed and placement of their serves to catch opponents off guard. For example, a slow, well-placed serve can set up an offensive shot, while a deceptive serve can disrupt the opponent's rhythm. The server can also use different types of serves, such as the high serve, low serve, or flick serve, to vary their play and keep the opponent guessing.
Scoring on Serve:
In badminton, points can be won on either serve. Every time a player or team wins a rally, they earn a point and the right to serve again. This is a crucial aspect of the game as it allows players to build momentum and potentially gain a significant lead. However, it's important to remember that a match is typically played as the best of three games, with each game going up to 21 points. If the game reaches 29-29, the next point wins.
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Rally
A badminton match is played as the best of three games, with each game played up to 21 points. Every time a player wins a rally, they get a point. If the score reaches 20–20, players must win by two points. For example, 22–20 would be a winning score, but 21–20 would not be.
A rally in badminton refers to the period of play between the serve and when play stops. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. The rally ends when the shuttlecock touches the floor, or a fault is called. The players then move on to the next rally, serving from the opposite service court.
The service courts are set at the start of the rally, and players must remember these positions for the next rally. If the serving side wins a rally, the same person serves again, but from the other service court. If the opponents win the rally, they then get the serve. In doubles, each player has a service court, and the players do not alternate between service courts. The receivers never change their service courts.
It is good practice to say the score out loud to your opponent before starting each rally. The server's score is always given first. For example, if you are serving and have 10 points to your opponent's 15, the score is 10–15. When the server's score is an even number, they serve from the right service court. When it is an odd number, they serve from the left service court.
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Court dimensions
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. The game is played on a rectangular indoor court that measures 6.1 metres in width and 13.4 metres in length. A net is positioned in the middle of the court at a height of 1.55 metres.
The court has two tram lines running along each side. The inside lines are used as the parameter for singles matches, while the outside lines are used for doubles matches. The service courts are set at the start of the rally and remain unchanged throughout. The players must remember their service courts, as they will need to work out their positions for the next rally.
When serving, players must serve diagonally across the net to their opponents. If a player wins a rally, they get to serve again, but from the other service court. The serve does not alternate between partners; it stays with one person until the opponents win a rally.
To score a point, the shuttlecock must land within the parameters of the opponent's court. If the shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court, a point is awarded to the opponent.
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