Ayrton Oneill
Badminton is a fun sport and a great form of exercise. It is the world's fastest racket sport, and it can be played with two players or two teams of two players each. The aim is to hit a shuttlecock over a net into your opponent's half, with the first side to reach 21 points winning the game. The rules are distinct from similar sports like tennis, and it is important to get to grips with them before playing your first game. You can play casually at most leisure centres, where you can hire racquets and shuttlecocks, or you can join a badminton club to improve your skills and compete in tournaments. To improve your game, you can practice your footwork, stance, swings, and technique, as well as your overall athleticism, including balance, coordination, and agility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 or 4 |
| Objective | Score points by successfully hitting the shuttlecock over the net |
| Points | First to 21 points wins a game; two games win the match |
| Court dimensions | 44 ft (13.4 m) long by 20 ft (6.1 m) wide; 17 ft (5.2 m) wide for singles |
| Net height | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Service | First serve from the right half of the court diagonally; alternate sides with each point |
| Ready position | Feet shoulder-width apart, hips back, weight on balls of feet, slight torso lean, neutral gaze forward |
| Grips | Forehand, backhand, loose grip for flexibility and mobility |
| Shots | Overhead, backhand underhand, frying pan |
| Strategy | Plan your next move, use deception, vary your shots, hit the centre of the shuttlecock |
| Benefits | Full-body workout, improves coordination, balance, agility, speed, self-esteem, and communication skills |
| Equipment | Rackets, shuttlecocks |
| Competitive play | Indoors |
| Clubs | Local clubs available, some with junior tournaments and coaching |
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What You'll Learn
Rules and scoring
Badminton is a popular sport with a passionate following around the world. It is played either as singles (two players competing against each other) or doubles (two pairs of players forming teams and competing against each other).
The unique 'ball' of badminton is called a shuttlecock, or 'birdie'. It is cone-shaped and made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The birdie's shape means it will always fly cork-first once struck until it is hit again.
A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court. If a returned shuttlecock hits the net or lands outside the court, the player loses the point. A legal serve must be hit diagonally over the net, underarm, and below waist height. The whole shuttle should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce. After a point is won, players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point. There are no second serves. During a point, a player can return the shuttlecock from inside or outside the court, but they must not touch the net with any part of their body or racquet.
In terms of scoring, a point is scored on every serve and awarded to whichever side wins the rally. The winning side gets the next serve. If the score is 20-20, the side must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first to get their 30th point wins.
In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. In doubles, each player has a service court. The serve stays with one person until the opponents win a rally and get the serve.
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Footwork and positioning
Your base position is the point to which you should always return after hitting the shuttlecock. This should be in the middle of the court, as this gives you the best position to react to your opponent's moves. It's important to always return to this position so that you can swiftly react to all sides of the court. You should be able to reach all corners with 2-3 steps from this base position.
You can practice your footwork by doing drills and moving around the court faster. You can also work on different types of steps, such as lunges, chasse steps, running steps, split steps, net kills, and china jumps. You should work on one type of step at a time, starting with the one you think will be most useful to you in your games.
It's important to maintain your balance while moving around the court. You can use your free hand (the one not holding the racket) to help you keep your balance. Keep your hand wide open to prevent falls and injuries. When awaiting your opponent's serve, position yourself with one leg slightly in front and the other in the back. This way, you can use your back leg to react if the serve is heading to the front part, and vice versa.
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Grips and swings
Grips
The four basic grips in badminton are the forehand, or 'handshake', grip, the backhand grip, the bevel grip, and the panhandle grip.
The forehand grip is a good starting point for beginners. To execute it, pretend you are shaking someone's hand. This will create a V shape with your index and middle fingers, with a little space between them. Your fingers should be loosely wrapped around the grip, which will allow you to move and hit your shots with flexibility and mobility.
The backhand grip is used for backhand underhand and overhead shots. To execute it, place your thumb on top, with the racket facing parallel to the ground. Then, wrap your other four fingers around the grip. This grip will give you a closer hold on the racket compared to the forehand grip.
The bevel grip is considered a "halfway point" between the forehand and backhand grip. It is used for late backhand shots, helping you reach the shuttle when it is behind your body. To execute it, start with your standard backhand grip. Then, shift your racket handle clockwise if you are right-handed, or anti-clockwise if you are left-handed, until your thumb is on the edge of the racket handle, or bevel.
The panhandle grip is excellent for late backhand shots and frontcourt net shots. It is executed by starting with the forehand grip and rotating the racket handle until it is parallel to the floor. Your fingers and thumb should then wrap around the sides of the handle, forming a V-shape.
Swings
Swings in badminton are often practised with a throwing drill. To do this, hold a shuttle in your throwing hand and bring your hand overhead, creating a 90-degree angle with the shuttle facing your target. Step with your opposite foot as you extend your arm forwards. Finish with your throwing hand pointing at your target. The goal is to throw the shuttle high enough for your partner to hit it overhead.
Badminton swings can also be practised with a racket. Start by holding the racket with a forehand grip and turn into a sideways position with your body perpendicular to the net.
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Equipment and attire
To play badminton, you will need a racquet and a shuttlecock. Most leisure centres have courts and equipment for hire. You can also purchase your own equipment from various brands, such as Yonex, Victor, Ashaway, Carlton, Li Ning, Forza, Fleet, Karakal, and Wilson.
When choosing a racquet, consider factors such as weight, balance, and stiffness. The weight of the racquet can range from 2U (85-90g) to 4U (75-80g). A heavier racquet provides more power, while a lighter racquet offers more control. The balance of the racquet refers to the distribution of weight along the racquet, which can be head-heavy, evenly balanced, or head-light. A head-heavy racquet provides more power, while a head-light racquet offers better control. The stiffness of the racquet can be flexible or stiff, with a flexible racquet providing more control and a stiffer racquet offering more power.
As for shuttlecocks, they are typically made of feathers or synthetic materials. Feather shuttlecocks are preferred for competitive play as they offer a more consistent flight path and better feel. Synthetic shuttlecocks are more durable and suitable for recreational play or outdoor conditions.
In terms of attire, wear comfortable and flexible clothing that allows ease of movement. Badminton involves a lot of jumping, lunging, and quick movements, so choose clothing that won't restrict your mobility. Badminton-specific shoes are also recommended, as they provide good grip and support for the quick lateral movements in the sport.
Additionally, you may consider wearing a sweatband to absorb sweat and prevent it from dripping onto your grip. Some players also wear gloves to improve their grip and absorb sweat. Protective gear such as eye protection and mouthguards can also be worn, especially for competitive play or if you have any concerns about injuries.
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Competitive play
Competitive badminton is normally played indoors, with a range of singles and doubles disciplines. It is a popular sport worldwide, with a passionate following and a strong presence in Asia and Europe. China, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan have consistently produced world-class players in recent decades.
To get into competitive badminton, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, it is important to understand the basic rules and regulations of the game, court lines, and scoring system. Badminton has unique features such as the need to change ends under specific conditions and the requirement to hit the shuttlecock below waist height when serving. The service also has its own set of restrictions and stroke choices.
Secondly, focus on developing your overall athleticism and mastering the basic grips. Work on your balance, coordination, and agility, as these skills will not only make you a better badminton player but also a well-rounded athlete. Practice different types of serves and aim to hit the "'sweet spot'" of the shuttlecock consistently.
Thirdly, strategy plays a crucial role in competitive badminton. Advanced players understand the importance of positioning their shots wisely to control their opponent's movement. Assess your opponent's style—whether they are aggressive or defensive—and look for weaknesses that you can exploit. Mix up your shots and vary the placement to keep your opponent guessing.
Finally, seek out competitive opportunities. Depending on your age and location, you can look for local tournaments, join a school team, or participate in junior tournaments. For example, the USA Badminton Junior Tournament Schedule provides information on upcoming tournaments, including location, region, and dates. Before registering, ensure that you meet the requirements, such as having a valid membership and providing necessary documentation.
By following these steps, you can start your journey into competitive badminton, develop your skills, and gain experience through structured competitions.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton is a racket sport played by either two players or two teams of two players each. The aim is to score points by successfully serving the shuttlecock and getting it over the net.
The first serve of a badminton game comes from the right half of the court to the court diagonally opposite. After that, if you have an even number of points, you serve from the right, and if you have an odd number, you serve from the left. If the serving side commits a fault, the receiving side gets a point and the serve shifts to them. If the shuttlecock hits the net and falls into the opponent's court, it is called a 'let' and you get another try.
The badminton court is 44 feet (13.4 m) long and 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. For singles matches, you play on an area that is 44 feet (13.4 m) long and 17 feet (5.2 m) wide. The net should be positioned halfway across the court at 5 feet (1.5 m) above the ground.
It is important to learn the different grips and be able to switch between them smoothly. You should also focus on developing your overall athleticism, balance, coordination, and agility. Try to hit the centre or 'sweet spot' of the shuttlecock every time.
It is important to get comfortable with the basics of the game, such as the different types of racket swings and the serve. You can practice these through simple drills and by playing at a beginner's pace. It is also good to get used to calling out 'you' or 'me' to avoid clashing with your partner when hitting a shot.
