Andrew Pace
Badminton is a fun and engaging sport that can be played casually or competitively. The objective of the game is to score points by winning rallies and be the first to reach 21 points, winning by at least a 2-point lead. Points are earned by successfully hitting the shuttlecock back and forth between players without making a foul, such as hitting the net or failing to serve correctly. The server's score determines which service court they use, with even scores using the right court and odd scores using the left. In doubles matches, pairs work together to earn points, and the serve stays with one person until the opponents win a rally. Understanding these basic rules and strategies can help players gain points and ultimately win the match, which is typically determined by the best of three games.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Points to win | 21 points |
| Winning margin | 2 points |
| Maximum points | 30 points |
| Service courts | Right and left |
| Service change | After winning a point |
| Service style | Underarm and below waist height |
| Shuttlecock height | Below 1.15 metres |
| Fouls | Opponent errors, shuttlecock served outside the court, touching the net, extending racket past net, hitting shuttlecock multiple times |
| Scoring doubles | Each pair wins points |
| Points from opponent errors | 60% |
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What You'll Learn
Win a rally
To win a rally in badminton, you must be the first player to hit the shuttlecock in such a way that your opponent cannot keep it in play. This could be through a powerful smash, a well-placed drop shot, or a strategic clear that forces your opponent to make a mistake.
In a typical rally, both players will take turns hitting the shuttlecock back and forth across the net, aiming to catch their opponent off-guard or exploit a gap in their defence. The rally continues until one player fails to return the shuttlecock or makes a mistake, such as hitting the net or lifting their racket above the net during a stroke.
To win a rally effectively, it is essential to have good hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and a strong understanding of shot placement. You should aim to anticipate your opponent's moves, predict where the shuttlecock will go, and position yourself accordingly. Mixing up your shots, varying the pace, and using deception can also help keep your opponent guessing and increase your chances of winning the rally.
Additionally, it is worth noting that in doubles badminton, coordination and communication with your partner are crucial. Working together to create opportunities, setting up your partner for smashes or clears, and covering each other's weaknesses can greatly improve your chances of winning rallies and, ultimately, the game.
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Opponent's mistakes
Opponent mistakes are a key way to gain points in badminton. In fact, about 60% of points in professional badminton are won due to player errors. This strategy is especially effective in social play at a fairly low level, where players may not have developed their skills yet.
To take advantage of opponent mistakes, you can put pressure on your opponent by retrieving everything they play, forcing them to commit mistakes. You can also try to play it safe, ensuring that you are still in the rally and waiting for your opponent to make a mistake. However, this strategy may not always be the most effective, as it can lead to a boring game and hinder your skill development.
Deception is another tactic that can be used to force opponent mistakes. This involves tricking your opponent, such as by hitting a double-action shot that causes them to go to the wrong corner or stunning them with a shot that they don't even move to hit. However, deceptive shots should be used sparingly, as overuse can lead to your opponent predicting your moves and taking advantage of your position.
Another way to force opponent mistakes is to hit shots to different areas of the court, throwing your opponent off balance, and then hitting a shot that they can't reach. This strategy can also be combined with varying the speed, height, and placement of your smashes to keep your opponent guessing.
Finally, it's important to remember that you can gain a point from your opponent's mistake if their serve is bad or loses them the point before you have even touched the shuttle.
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Serve rules
Serving correctly is a crucial part of a badminton player's gameplay. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has laid down a set of rules to ensure fairness in the sport. Here are the serve rules in badminton:
- The shuttlecock must be struck below 1.15 meters (3.77 feet) from the court's surface. This rule, introduced in 2018, limits power and ensures fairness in high-level tournaments. In non-BWF tournaments, players follow the traditional rule, where the shuttlecock should be hit below the waist.
- The server must have some part of their feet in contact with the court surface while serving. Both feet must be in contact with the ground, and neither can be touching any lines on the court or be outside the playing court.
- The server should not cause undue delay once both the server and receiver are ready. While there is no time limit, players have been faulted for taking too long.
- The shuttlecock should not get stuck in the net or exceed the boundaries of the court.
- Distracting the opponent during the serve is illegal.
- The server's racket should not contact the net before or during the serve.
- The player who serves first in any game shall do so from the right side of the service court.
- If the server has an even number of points, they serve from the right service court. If they have an odd number of points, they serve from the left service court.
- In doubles, the serve does not alternate between partners. Instead, the same person continues to serve until the opponents win a rally and gain the serve.
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Scoring system
Badminton is played until one player or team reaches 21 points. Players win a point each time they win a rally, and they must win by at least two points. If the score reaches 20-20, then 21 points are no longer enough to win the game. Instead, players must win by two clear points, i.e. two points in a row. For example, 22-20 would be a winning score, but 21-20 would not be.
The first server is chosen by the serving pair, and the receiving pair choose who receives. The server's score determines the service court: if the score is odd, the server will serve from the left court; if the score is even, the server will serve from the right court. The only way to change service courts is to win a point when your side is serving. When the receiving side wins a rally, the serve passes to them, but their service court does not change. If a player wins a rally when serving from the left court, they will then serve from the right court, and vice versa. The serve does not alternate between partners: it stays with one person until the opponents win a rally.
After each game, there is a 90-second break, and between games, there is a 2-minute break. Matches are played as the best of three games.
Players can also gain a point if their opponent performs a foul. Fouls include serving the shuttlecock outside of the court, contacting the net with your body or racket, extending your racket past the net, or hitting the shuttlecock multiple times.
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Fouls
Contact Fouls
Contact fouls occur when the shuttlecock comes into contact with any object or person other than your racket. The shuttlecock should only touch your racket during the game. If it touches your shoes, shin, shirt, or any other part of your body or clothing, it is considered a contact foul, and your opponent will gain a point. To avoid contact fouls, players should stay flexible and light on their feet, making sure to stretch and warm up before playing.
Double Hit Fouls
Double-hit fouls occur when a player hits the shuttlecock twice in a row or when teammates hit it simultaneously. Hitting the shuttlecock more than once when it is on your side of the net is considered a double-hit foul, resulting in a point for the opponent.
Service Fouls
Service fouls can occur in several ways. Firstly, the serve should always be executed with an upward swing, hitting the shuttlecock below the waist. Secondly, the player's feet must be planted on the ground inside the court's boundary line. Thirdly, the server must hit the shuttlecock to the opposite side of the opponent's court. For example, if serving from the left service area, the shuttlecock must be hit to the right side of the opponent's court. Failing to do so results in a service foul. Additionally, double swings or dragging the feet during the serve can also result in service fouls.
Service-Received Fouls
Service-received fouls occur when the shuttle is served to the opponent, and they must remain still. Any movement, no matter how slight, can result in a foul. This includes shifting one's feet or making gestures. Distracting the opponent through trash-talking or other gestures is also considered a foul.
Over-the-Net Fouls
Over-the-net fouls are the most common type of foul in badminton. They occur when a player touches the net with their racket or any part of their body during the rally. Even if the shuttlecock lands on the opponent's side, touching the net will result in a foul, and the point will be awarded to the opponent.
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Frequently asked questions
You need to be the first player/team to reach 21 points to win a badminton game. However, you must win by at least 2 points, so play continues until there is a 2-point gap between the players/teams.
You gain a point each time you win a rally. If your opponent makes a foul, you also gain a point.
A foul can be any of the following: serving the shuttlecock outside of the court, contacting the net with your body or racket, extending your racket past the net, or hitting the shuttlecock multiple times.
One strategy is to put pressure on your opponent, forcing them to make a mistake. In professional games, about 60% of points are gained due to player errors. Another strategy is to use smashes, which are also a common way to gain points in professional games.
