Ayrton Oneill
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock, which is hit back and forth over a net. The sport can be played in singles or doubles matches, with one player per side or two players per side, respectively. Badminton is a popular sport worldwide and is a regular fixture at the Olympic Games, with five disciplines: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players per side | 1 for singles, 2 for doubles |
| Number of games in a match | 3 (best of 3 games) |
| Points needed to win a game | 21 |
| Points needed to win the match | 2 |
| Total points needed to win the match | 42 |
| Court length (singles) | 44ft (13.41m) |
| Court width (singles) | 17ft (5.18m) |
| Court width (doubles) | 20ft (6.1m) |
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Singles and doubles matches
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock, also known as a birdie, across a net. The shuttlecock is a feathered or plastic cone-shaped projectile with feathers attached to a cork or rubber base. The sport can be played in singles or doubles matches.
In singles matches, there are two players competing against each other. The court measures 44 feet (13.41 meters) in length and 17 feet (5.18 meters) in width. 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 side. Each player will continue to serve as long as they keep winning points.
In doubles matches, there are two pairs of players forming teams and competing against each other, resulting in a total of four players on the court. The width of the court is extended to 20 feet (6.1 meters) for doubles matches. For the first rally, the serving pair decides which of the two partners serves, and the receiving pair decides which of their partners receives. The serving side will continue to serve as long as they keep winning points, alternating between the two partners. If the receiving side wins a point, they then assume the serve, with the partner who did not initially serve taking over.
Both singles and doubles matches in badminton are typically played in a best-of-three format, with each game played up to 21 points. To win a game, a side must have a two-point advantage. For example, if the score reaches 20-20, the winning side must reach at least 22 points. If the score becomes 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins the game. If both sides win one game each, a third game is played as a decider.
During play, a "let" may be called, which stops the rally and results in a replay without changing the score. A "let" can occur due to unexpected disturbances, such as the shuttlecock landing on the court after being hit there by players in an adjacent court, or the shuttlecock touching an overhead rail in small halls.
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Scoring
Badminton is played either as singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side). Scoring occurs when a player or pair successfully strikes the shuttlecock, also known as a birdie, with their racquet and lands it within the other team's half of the court. Points can also be awarded if a fault is called by the umpire, service judge, or the opposing side. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. The rally ends once the shuttlecock touches the floor.
Matches are typically played as a best-of-three format, with each game played up to 21 points. A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to the player or pair that wins the rally. The player who wins the rally will then serve for the next one. If the game reaches 20-20, the winner must win by two points, bringing the final score to a minimum of 22-20. If the game reaches 29-29, the first player or pair to reach 30 points wins.
In doubles, the serving pair may decide who serves first, and the receiving pair may decide who receives. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side whenever they have an even number of points. They will serve from the left when they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, alternating sides with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins the point, they assume the serve.
If a let is called, the rally is stopped and replayed with no change to the score. A let may be called due to some unexpected disturbance, such as the shuttlecock landing on the court after being hit there by players playing in an adjacent court.
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Court size
The standard badminton court measures 13.41 metres (44 feet) in length and 5.18 metres (17 feet) in width for singles matches. For doubles matches, the width of the court is extended to 6.1 metres (20 feet). The court dimensions are defined by white lines on the floor. The net, positioned in the centre of the court, is 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the ends and 1.52 metres (5 feet) high where it dips in the middle.
The size of a badminton court is relatively small compared to other racquet sports, such as tennis. A tennis court, for instance, measures 23.77 metres (78 feet) in length and 8.23 metres (27 feet) in width for singles matches, with an extension to 10.97 metres (36 feet) in width for doubles matches.
The compact size of a badminton court contributes to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the game. The small dimensions require players to possess quick reflexes, agility, and precise shot placement. The limited court size also necessitates strategic shot selection, as players must consider not only the power and angle of their shots but also the placement within the confined playing area.
While the court size remains consistent, the playing area may vary depending on the playing level and setting. For example, in informal outdoor settings, such as backyard or beach badminton, the playing area may be less standardised and can adapt to the available space. In contrast, professional badminton competitions adhere strictly to the standardised court dimensions, ensuring a consistent playing area for all participants.
The standardisation of the court size is essential for fairness and consistency in the sport. It allows players to familiarise themselves with the playing area, enabling them to develop their skills, strategies, and understanding of the game. The standardised court size also ensures that competitions and tournaments can be organised with a uniform set of rules, creating a level playing field for all participants. This consistency in court dimensions contributes to the sport's competitive integrity and global appeal.
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Serving rules
A badminton match is typically played with one player per side ('singles') or two players per side ('doubles'). The serve is a crucial part of a player's gameplay, and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has set specific rules to ensure fairness.
The player who serves first in a game is determined by a coin toss. This player will serve from the right side of the service court. The server for each subsequent point is the player or side that scored the previous point. The side of the court the server serves from alternates between the right and left for each point. If the server has won an even number of points during a game, they serve from the right side of the service court for the next point. If they have won an odd number of points, they serve from the left side.
The shuttlecock must be hit with the racket over the net to the opponent's side of the court without touching the net or going out of bounds. The shuttlecock should be struck when it is below 1.15 metres (3.77 feet) from the court's surface, or below the waist of the server, depending on the tournament. The server must not cause undue delay once both players are ready. The server must have some part of their feet in contact with the court surface and cannot move or lift either foot off the ground until the shuttlecock is struck. The receiver must also have both feet in contact with the ground until the shuttlecock is hit. Neither player can have their feet touching the court lines.
Net contact with the body or racket before or during the serve is not allowed. Distracting the opponent during the serve is also illegal. Examples of illegal serves include stopping at the backswing and then moving forward, and moving forward and backward multiple times before striking the shuttlecock.
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Faults and lets
A badminton match is played between two players (singles) or two pairs of players (doubles). The aim is to score 21 points, with a requirement of a two-point advantage to win a game, and the first side to win two games wins the match.
Now, onto faults and lets. Faults and fouls are the boundaries set within the rules of badminton that players should avoid during play. When a player breaks any predefined rule of badminton, intentionally or unintentionally, they have committed a fault and are liable to be penalized. Faults can ruin the efforts of players and can result in the loss of a point or service.
There are several types of faults in badminton, which can be categorized into five groups: contact, double hit, service, service received, and over the net foul. A contact foul occurs when the shuttlecock comes into contact with any object or person other than a racket. The only thing the shuttlecock should touch during a game is the racket. A double-hit foul is when a player hits the shuttlecock twice in a row. Once a player has hit the shuttlecock, that is all they are allowed. If both players on a doubles team touch the shuttlecock simultaneously, this is also a double-hit foul. Service faults occur when a player is serving. For example, if the service is not executed below the waist or in an upward motion, or if the server is out of the service box, this is a fault. A service-received fault occurs when the receiver violates the rules, such as by moving during the course of the serve. Over-the-net faults occur when a player attempts to hit the shuttlecock over the net but touches the net with their racket.
If a let is called, the rally is stopped and replayed with no change to the score. A let may be called due to some unexpected disturbance, such as a shuttlecock landing on the court after being hit there by players playing in an adjacent court.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton matches can be played as singles, with one player per side, or doubles, with two players per side.
A badminton match is typically played as a best-of-three, with each game played up to 21 points.
In singles, a badminton court is 44 feet long and 17 feet wide. For doubles matches, the width is extended to 20 feet.
A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to the player or team that wins the rally. The winning side gets to serve for the next rally.
The basic rules remain the same for Olympic badminton matches, with events for men's and women's singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.
