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Badminton is traditionally played with either two (singles) or four (doubles) players, but can be played with five people by altering the rules. The aim of the game is to score points by successfully hitting a shuttlecock over a net and into the opponent's court. The first player to reach 15 or 21 points wins the game. To add an extra player, you can create your own variations, such as cooperative play or an up and down the river format, where players must rotate between offence and defence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 5 |
| Equipment | Stringed rackets, shuttlecock/birdie |
| Court dimensions | 6.1m by 13.4m |
| Net height | 1.55m |
| Scoring | Points are scored by landing the shuttlecock within the parameters of the opponent's court |
| Faults | If the shuttlecock touches the net or goes out of bounds, touches the net with any piece of equipment or body part, is caught in the racket and flung, or is hit twice |
| Rules | Players must serve diagonally across the net to their opponent, and can only hit the shuttlecock once before it goes over the net or hits the ground; players must alternate between serving stations after each point |
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What You'll Learn
- Rules: 15 or 21 points wins, points scored by hitting the shuttlecock into opponent's court
- Equipment: feathered shuttlecock, stringed racket, indoor court
- Footwork: use small steps to position yourself, don't stretch
- Faults: touching the net, distraction, double-hit, flinging shuttlecock
- Variations: doubles, singles, mixed doubles, and more
Rules: 15 or 21 points wins, points scored by hitting the shuttlecock into opponent's court
While the traditional game of badminton is played with two or four players, it is possible to play with five people. Here are some rules and variations to adapt the game for five players:
Rules for a Five-Player Game
- Scoring: The scoring system can be agreed upon by the players before the game. Typically, badminton games are played to 15 or 21 points. To win, a player or team must reach the agreed-upon score first.
- Serving: The game starts with a coin toss, and the winner of the toss gets to serve first. The shuttlecock must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole shuttlecock should remain below 1.15 meters from the court surface when struck by the server, with the racquet shaft pointing down.
- Rally Scoring: Both players or teams can score points during a rally, regardless of who served. This system was introduced in 2006 and adds excitement to the game.
- Winning a Game: In a competitive match, the game is usually played as the best of three games. If playing to 21 points, the game continues until one player or team has a two-point lead. For example, if the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side has 22 points.
- No Second Serves: The rules do not allow for second serves. After a point is won, players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point.
- Net Rules: Players are not allowed to touch the net with any part of their body or racquet. If a birdie touches the net during play (except during the serve), it is still considered in play if it passes over to the other side.
- No Distractions: Players should refrain from deliberately distracting their opponents. Good sportsmanship is expected.
- No Double-Hits: A player cannot hit the shuttlecock twice in succession. It should be struck once and only once per turn.
- Let Calls: In the event of an unforeseen or accidental issue, a referee or umpire may call a 'let', resulting in a replay of the point.
- Rest Periods: It is essential to include rest periods in the game. After the first game, there is a 90-second rest, and after the second game, a 5-minute rest is allowed.
Variations for Five Players
Now, for the five-player setup, you can consider the following variations:
- Challengers and Champions: One player can be designated as the "champion" and stand on one side of the court, while the other four players become "challengers" and line up on the opposite side. Challengers must win two points in a row to replace the champion. If a challenger loses a point, they go to the back of the line, and the next challenger steps up to play.
- Offense and Defense: Both teams start at the baseline, and one team feeds the shuttle to the other. If the feeding team wins the point, they become the offensive team and move up to the net. Only the team at the net can score points. If the receiving team wins the point, they transition to offense and can start earning points.
- Cooperatively or Competitively: Players can line up on each side of the net and take turns hitting the shuttlecock, alternating between sides. This can be played cooperatively, with teams aiming for the longest rally, or competitively, with players eliminated after losing a point.
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Equipment: feathered shuttlecock, stringed racket, indoor court
Badminton is a fun, fast-paced, and easy-to-learn racket sport that can be played by anyone, regardless of age, size, or fitness level. While the game is traditionally played by two players (singles) or four players (doubles), it can be adapted for five players.
Equipment
The equipment required for a game of badminton includes a feathered shuttlecock, stringed rackets, and an indoor court.
Feathered Shuttlecock
The shuttlecock, also known as a "birdie," is a cone-shaped projectile made of feathers attached to a cork or rubber base. It weighs between 4.74 and 5.5 grams and is about 62-70mm long. The feathers form a circle with a diameter of 58-68mm, while the base has a diameter of 25-28mm. Feathered shuttlecocks are considered superior to synthetic ones, as they offer better flight path and control. They are used in competitions and are recommended for players who want to improve their skills.
Stringed Racket
The badminton racket is lightweight, typically weighing between 4.5-5.5 ounces, and measures 26 inches (66.0 cm) in length. It has a short handle and a head strung with tight strings, which allow players to strike the shuttlecock with speed and precision. Modern rackets are often made of carbon fiber and have a rubber grip for better control. Popular brands include Yonex, Li-Ning, Victor, Genji, Wilson, and Apacs.
Indoor Court
Badminton is typically played on an indoor court to minimize the impact of external factors such as wind or rain. The standard court size for doubles matches is 44 feet (13.4 m) long and 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. The net divides the court into two halves, with each side further divided into two service courts. Each service court measures 3.96m (13ft) in length and 2.59m (8.5ft) in width.
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Footwork: use small steps to position yourself, don't stretch
Footwork is an important aspect of badminton that is often overlooked. It can be the difference between winning and losing a rally. The key to good footwork is to use small steps to position yourself, rather than stretching. This allows you to move quickly and smoothly around the court, reaching the shuttlecock with ease.
Using small steps may seem counterintuitive, but it is a technique used by professionals. For example, Lee Chong Wei is known for his speed and agility on the court, which is a result of years of practising his footwork. By taking small steps, you can improve your agility and reach shots that would otherwise be out of your range.
To master badminton footwork, there are a few key techniques to practise. Firstly, the ready position is important as it allows players to move sharply in the direction of the shuttlecock. In this position, the feet should be square or slightly staggered, with the dominant foot forward if staggered. The feet should be shoulder-width apart, with the knees bent, and the weight on the balls of the feet. The racket should be held slightly in front of the body, towards the backhand side.
Another technique is the step-close step, which is used for travelling quickly across the court. This involves using the non-dominant foot as a pivot and the dominant foot as the leading foot. The non-dominant foot closes the body away from the shuttlecock, while the dominant foot and arm reach for it, allowing for a faster recovery.
By focusing on these footwork techniques and consistently practising small steps, you will improve your agility and speed on the court. This will allow you to position yourself effectively and reach the shuttlecock without stretching, improving your overall gameplay.
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Faults: touching the net, distraction, double-hit, flinging shuttlecock
Although badminton is typically played with either two players or two teams of two players, it is possible to play with five people. Here is some information about some common faults in badminton, including touching the net, distraction, double-hit, and flinging the shuttlecock.
Touching the Net
Touching the net with any piece of equipment, clothing, or body part is considered a fault in badminton. This includes touching the net's supports with your racket, body, or clothing. If the shuttlecock hits the net and tumbles over to the opponent's court but has not yet landed, it is a fault if a player touches the net during this interval.
Distraction
Distracting your opponent during their serve is considered a fault. This includes making gestures or trash-talking. It is best to remain still and silent while your opponent is serving to avoid receiving a fault.
Double-Hit
A double-hit fault occurs when a player attempts to hit the shuttlecock twice in a row or when both teammates come in contact with the shuttlecock simultaneously. Hitting the shuttlecock more than once when it is on your side of the net is not allowed and will result in a fault.
Flinging Shuttlecock
Although not specifically referred to as a "flinging shuttlecock" fault, there are faults related to serving and returning the shuttlecock. For example, a service fault occurs when the service is not executed below the waist or in an upward motion. Another type of service fault happens when a player fails to serve to the opposite side of their opponent's court. Additionally, failing to get the shuttlecock over the net on your serve or return is considered a net fault.
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Variations: doubles, singles, mixed doubles, and more
Badminton can be played with two or four players, with one player on each side, or a team of two players on each side. One-against-one is called singles, and two-against-two is called doubles. In doubles, either player can hit the shuttlecock, and you do not have to take turns. The only exceptions are the first two shots of the rally.
In singles, there are two players competing against each other. The badminton court is 44 feet (13.4 m) long and 17 feet (5.2 m) wide. The net should be positioned halfway across the court, 5 feet (1.5 m) above the ground.
In doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players. The width of the court extends to 20 feet (6.1 m). When serving in doubles, the extra 15 feet (1.5 m) on the left and right sides of the court (the doubles sidelines) are considered fair game for serving and returning.
Mixed doubles is similar to men's and women's doubles, but the strategy and gameplay can differ. Men tend to cover the rear court, while women players often stick closer to the net. In mixed doubles, you need to attack from behind the court 90% of the time.
Doubles involves communication and playing off your teammate's strengths and abilities. It also requires staying mindful of your partner's movement throughout the match so you can plan your game accordingly. In singles, you try to outmaneuver and outlast your opponent. Offense is more straightforward, and you don't need to coordinate your moves with a teammate.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton is usually played with either 2 or 4 players, but you can play with 5 people by adapting the rules. One idea is to play a game where there is one 'champion' on one side of the court, and a queue of 'challengers' on the other side. Each challenger must win two points in a row against the champion to take their place, and if they lose a point they go to the back of the queue.
Badminton is a racket sport played with a shuttlecock, which is a half-round ball with a feather-like material on top. The aim is to hit the shuttlecock into your opponent's court without them being able to return it. A point is scored when the shuttlecock hits the ground in your opponent's court, including the lines. You can only hit the shuttlecock once before it goes over the net or hits the ground, and you must hit it below waist height. The net should be positioned in the middle of the court at a height of 1.55m, and the court should measure 6.1m wide by 13.4m long.
The main types of badminton strokes are the forehand and the backhand, similar to tennis. You'll need a light, quick wrist to effectively strike the shuttlecock with a standard badminton racket, which is usually made of metal and nylon and weighs between 4.5-5.5 ounces.
A fault is called if a player touches the net with their body, clothes, or equipment, or if they deliberately distract their opponent. A fault also occurs if the shuttlecock is hit twice, or if it touches the net and fails to pass over or through it.
