
Badminton is a popular sport with a passionate global fan following and is a regular fixture at the Olympics. The Badminton World Federation outlines the rules of the game, which can be played as singles or doubles. Junior Nationals, such as those held in England, are a platform for young badminton players to compete and showcase their skills. The rules for these tournaments are based on the standard badminton rules, which include scoring points by striking the shuttlecock and ensuring it touches the floor on the opponent's side, serving diagonally into the opponent's service box, and following specific serving rules for singles and doubles matches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | Singles: 2, Doubles: 4 |
| Scoring | First to 21 points wins, best of three games |
| Serving | Diagonal serve into opponent's service box, below waist height |
| Service sides | Server starts on the right for even points, left for odd points |
| Court dimensions | Singles: 13.41m x 5.18m, Doubles: 13.41m x 6.1m |
| Net height | 1.55m at ends, 1.52m in the middle |
| Tournament structure | Annual, held over November and December |
| Age groups | U11, U13, U15, U17, U19 |
| Location | Milton Keynes, England |
| Eligibility | Born in England, parent born in England, UK British Citizen Passport, resident in England for 3 years |
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Scoring system
Badminton matches are typically played as the best of three games, with each game played to 21 points. A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands in the opponent's court, and a rally continues until the shuttlecock hits the ground, goes out of bounds, or a fault is committed. The player or team that wins the rally gets to serve next.
If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side gains a two-point advantage. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score 30 points wins the game. In the third game, players switch ends when one side reaches 11 points.
In the past, badminton used a best-of-three system of 3-15/11. Men's singles and all doubles used a 15-point system, while women's singles used an 11-point rule. If the score was 14-14 (or 10-10 for women's singles), deuce would be applied, and the winner would be the first to reach 17 (or 13 for women's singles) or 15 (or 11 for women's singles).
In 2002, badminton also experimented with a best-of-five 5 x 7 scoring system, where players would win by being the first to win three sets. In this system, each game consists of 7 points, and if the score reaches 6-6, one player must win by two clear points.
Faults and fouls are mistakes that can cost players points. These include the shuttlecock hitting the net during service, the player's racket or body going over or under the net, and double-hitting the shuttlecock. 'Lets' are similar to faults but do not result in lost points. Instead, the rally is replayed.
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Serving rules
Serving correctly is a crucial aspect of badminton. Here is a detailed overview of the serving rules in badminton, specifically focusing on junior national play:
Service Sides
In singles badminton, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side whenever they have an even number of points. When a player has an odd number of points, they serve from the left. Each player retains the serve as long as they keep winning points. In doubles, the server starts on the right-hand side and keeps serving while alternating sides with their partner, provided they keep winning points.
Diagonal Service
When serving, players must serve diagonally into their opponent's service box. This rule applies to both singles and doubles matches.
Serving Order
In doubles, the server will continue serving, alternating sides with their partner, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving team wins a point, they gain the serve. The player who did not initially serve on the winning team will then serve from the opposite side of the court.
Scoring
A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to the side that wins the rally. The winning side gets to serve next. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game, but if the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side gains a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score 30 points wins the game.
Body and Racket Position
Players must wait for the shuttlecock to cross the net before playing a shot. While you can follow through over the net, touching the net with your body or racket results in a conceded point to the opposing side. The shuttlecock must be hit below waist height.
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Faults and penalties
Service Faults:
The service is a critical aspect of badminton, and players must adhere to specific rules. Common service faults include failing to hit the shuttlecock below the waist, stepping on or over the service line before making contact, serving from an incorrect position or out of bounds, and attempting to deceive the opponent with illegal actions.
Let Service:
A let service occurs due to external factors, such as the shuttlecock hitting the net and landing in the service court, or interference from outside the court. In such cases, the rally is replayed without any penalty.
Service Overhead:
During service, the racket head must point downwards when striking the shuttlecock. An upward or sideways racket head results in a service overhead fault, leading to a point or rally loss.
Behavioural Fouls:
Behavioural fouls relate to player conduct and sportsmanship. This includes the use of offensive language or gestures, unsportsmanlike behaviour towards officials or opponents, and deliberate stalling tactics. Referees may issue warnings, point deductions, or disqualifications for such infractions.
Double Hit:
A double hit occurs when a player unintentionally strikes the shuttlecock twice in succession with their racket during a single stroke.
Out of Position:
Players must maintain proper court positioning. Being out of position can result in a fault, allowing opponents to exploit open areas and potentially lose points.
Time Violations:
Players must adhere to time limits for serving, receiving, and changing ends. Excessive delays or stalling tactics can result in point deductions or loss of serve.
Shuttlecock Touching the Ground:
If the shuttlecock touches the ground or court boundary lines, it is considered out of play, resulting in a fault.
Other Faults:
Other faults include serving or receiving out of turn, hitting the shuttlecock before it crosses the net, obstructing or distracting an opponent, and intentionally delaying the game. These faults generally result in a point for the opponent.
It is important to note that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) compiles and governs the rules, ensuring fair play and consistency in the sport.
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Court dimensions
For badminton, the court's dimensions are crucial and strictly defined. The court is rectangular and measures 13.4 metres in length and 6.1 metres in width. There are also markings on a badminton court that are essential for gameplay. The centre line divides the court into two halves, with a width of 0.05 metres. This line extends beyond the sidelines, reaching a length of 0.15 metres outside the court.
Additionally, the service courts are marked by two side lines, each measuring 0.05 metres in width. These lines run parallel to the centre line and are positioned 2.9 metres apart, creating a doubles court that is 6.1 metres in width. For singles play, the court is slightly narrower, with a width of 5.18 metres. This is achieved by extending the side lines of the service courts to the back boundaries, forming the singles sidelines.
The badminton court also features a short service line, which is positioned 1.92 metres from the net, and a long service line, located 0.76 metres from the back boundary line. These lines are crucial for serving rules and determining the valid landing areas for the shuttlecock during service.
The net is another critical component of the court. It is positioned directly above the centre line and is 1.55 metres long. The net measures 0.76 metres in height at the centre, with a tolerance of 0.05 metres allowed. The net posts holding the net should be placed outside the doubles sidelines and should be coloured black or dark in appearance.
The above dimensions and markings are standard for a badminton court and provide the framework for strategic play and shot placement. It is important to note that the court's dimensions may vary slightly for junior-level tournaments, with adjustments made to the length and width to accommodate younger players. However, the relative proportions and markings remain consistent to ensure a fair playing field for all participants.
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Player movement
In doubles badminton, the court width extends to 6.1m. Here, player movement is coordinated between teammates. The serving side starts on the right and continues serving from that side as long as the team keeps winning points. The server alternates between teammates with each won point. If the receiving side wins a point, they gain the serve, and the player who did not initially serve on their team becomes the new server. This dynamic movement in doubles play adds a layer of strategy and coordination to the game.
During the game, players are required to change ends under specific conditions. In a two-game match, players switch ends after the first game. In a three-game match, they change ends again at the conclusion of the second game. Additionally, in the deciding third game, players switch ends when one side reaches 11 points. These rules ensure fairness and help players manage their stamina and strategy across the duration of the match.
The rules of badminton also dictate certain restrictions on player movement. For example, players must wait for the shuttlecock to cross the net before taking a shot. Touching the net with the body or racket results in a point conceded to the opponent. These rules govern the movement of players around the net and ensure fair play during the game.
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Frequently asked questions
The Junior Nationals are divided into different age groups, with tournaments for the U11, U13, U15, U17, and U19 categories.
Badminton can be played as singles or doubles. In singles, there are two players competing against each other, and in doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete, resulting in a game of four players. All matches are the best of three games, and the first side to reach 21 points wins. A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to the side that wins the rally. The winning side gets to serve next. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until a side wins by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score 30 points wins.
To participate in the Junior Nationals, players must meet certain eligibility criteria. These include being born in England or having a parent born in England, holding a UK British Citizen passport, and being a resident of England for a minimum of three years. Additionally, players must have a valid and current 'Play' membership with Badminton England and must not have entered the National Championships of any other country in the same year.






















