Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock. The sport is played either in singles or doubles, with singles consisting of two players competing against each other, and doubles consisting of two pairs of players forming teams. The first side to 21 points wins a game, and a point is scored on every serve. The shuttlecock, also known as a bird or birdie, is made of a small cork hemisphere pierced by 16 goose feathers and weighs about 0.17 ounces (5 grams). The game is played on a rectangular indoor court that is 44 feet (13.4 metres) long and 17 feet (5.2 metres) wide for singles matches, and 20 feet (6.1 metres) wide for doubles matches. The net is positioned halfway across the court at 5 feet (1.5 metres) above the ground.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 (singles) or 4 (doubles) |
| Objective | Hit the shuttlecock into the opponent's court |
| Equipment | Shuttlecock, racquet, net, court |
| Scoring | First to 21 points wins a game; best of three games wins the match |
| Faults | Hitting the shuttlecock into the net, opponent's body, or out of bounds; touching the net with your body or racquet |
| Service | Serve diagonally across the net to the opponent's court; alternate serves with each point |
| Court dimensions | 6.1m x 13.4m for doubles; 5.2m wide for singles |
| Net height | 1.55m at the ends, 1.52m in the middle |
| Shuttlecock | Made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base |
| Racquet | Typically made of metal and nylon, weighing 4.5-5.5 ounces |
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What You'll Learn
Badminton rules and regulations
Badminton is a high-speed indoor racket sport that 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, resulting in a game of four players.
Court Dimensions
The dimensions of a badminton court vary depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played. For singles, the court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. For doubles, the width extends to 6.1m (20ft). The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high where it dips in the middle. A serve must pass the short service line, which is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net. There is also a doubles service line 0.76m (2.5ft) in from the baseline. Each service court is 3.96m (13ft) long and 2.59m (8.5ft) wide.
Service
The birdie, also known as the shuttlecock, is badminton's unique "ball". It is cone-shaped and made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The birdie is always hit below waist height, with players serving diagonally into their opponent's service box. Both players must remain stationary until the serve is made. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will 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 while alternating sides with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve.
Scoring
All singles and doubles matches are the best of three games. The first side to 21 points wins a game. A point is scored on every serve and is awarded to the side that wins the rally. The winning side gets the next serve. If the score reaches 20-20, the side must win by two clear points to win the game.
Faults
Players must wait for the birdie to cross the net before playing a shot. While players can follow through over the net, touching the net with their body or racket results in a point being conceded to the other side.
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Faults and how to avoid them
Badminton is a fast-paced racquet sport that can be easy to pick up but tricky to master. Here are some of the most common faults in badminton and how to avoid them:
Contact Fault
A contact fault occurs when the shuttlecock comes into contact with anything other than your racket. This includes your body, clothing, or any other object. To avoid this, stay light on your feet and be mindful of your positioning on the court.
Net Fault
A net fault is committed when a player fails to clear the net, or if the shuttlecock passes under or through it. To avoid this, ensure you use a racket suitable for your playing style and wait until the shuttlecock has crossed onto the other side of the net before striking it.
Service Fault
Service faults can occur due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, the shuttlecock must be hit at or below the server's waist. Secondly, there must be no delay between the backward and forward movement of the server's racket during the serve. Finally, the server must not move their feet or make any gestures before striking the shuttlecock. To avoid service faults, practice your serving technique and ensure you have a good understanding of the service rules.
Receiving Fault
A receiving fault occurs when the receiver moves before or during the opponent's serve. To avoid this, remain still and avoid any distractions or gestures that could be interpreted as a fault.
Double Hit Fault
A double hit fault occurs when a player strikes the shuttlecock twice in succession. To avoid this, coordinate with your teammate (in doubles) and be mindful of your shot timing.
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The different types of equipment
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock—also known as a birdie—across a net. The equipment used in badminton can be divided into a few categories: the court, the net, the racquets, the shuttlecock, and the clothing and accessories worn by the players.
The badminton court is rectangular and measures 13.4 metres (44 feet) in length for both singles and doubles matches. The width of the court depends on the competition; for singles, it is 5.18 metres (17 feet) wide, and for doubles, it is 6.1 metres (20 feet) wide. The court is divided into two halves, each measuring 6.7 metres (22 feet). Each half is further divided vertically into two service courts, with the short service line located 1.98 metres (6.5 feet) from the net, and the long service line located 0.72 metres (2.36 feet) from the baseline.
The net in a badminton court is made of a dark-coloured cord mesh and is held in position by posts placed on the outer sideline (doubles sideline). The net measures 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) tall at the posts and 1.52 metres (5 feet) tall at the centre of the court.
Badminton racquets are lightweight, weighing between 70 and 95 grams (2.5 to 3.4 ounces) or 4.5 to 5.5 ounces, excluding the grip or strings. They are composed of various materials, including carbon fibre composite (graphite-reinforced plastic), solid steel, aluminium, graphite, titanium, metal, and nylon. The racquet strings are thin and high-performing, ranging from 0.62 to 0.73 mm in thickness. Thicker strings are more durable, while thinner strings are preferred by many players for their feel. The string tension can vary from 80 to 160 N (18 to 36 lbf), with recreational players typically using lower tensions than professionals.
The shuttlecock is the unique "ball" used in badminton. It is cone-shaped and made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The feathers create higher drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate more rapidly. The shuttlecock's shape ensures that it always flies cork-first once struck until it is hit again. The shuttlecock's high top speed compared to other racquet sports makes badminton the fastest racquet sport in the world.
Finally, badminton players typically wear comfortable clothing that does not hinder their movement, such as T-shirts, shorts, and thick cotton socks to absorb sweat and prevent slipping. They may also wear accessories like wristbands and headbands to manage sweat. In Olympic competitions, players are required to have their names printed on the back of their shirts, and doubles partners must wear matching uniforms that differ from their opponents'.
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How to serve
Serving is an important part of a badminton player's gameplay. A correct service is when a player hits the shuttlecock with their racket over the net to the opponent's side, ensuring that the shuttlecock does not get stuck in the net or go out of bounds. The entire shuttlecock should be below the server's waist when hit, and the server must keep at least some part of both feet on the ground.
The direction of the serve depends on the score. If your score is an even number, serve from the right service court and hit the ball towards your left. If your score is an odd number, serve from the left service court and hit the ball towards your right. In doubles, switch sides with your partner each time you score on your own serve.
There are different types of serves that you can use in badminton. The most common serve is the low serve, where you bend your wrist back and push the shuttle gently to just over the net. This limits your opponent's swing and increases your chances of scoring. You can also do a high serve, where you swing the racket in a wide arc to hit the shuttlecock higher. Mixing up your serves will keep your opponent on their toes.
Some players prefer to initiate a match with a short backhand serve or a high-toss serve. A backhand serve to the closest corner is a consistent shot that many players find success with. To perform a forehand serve, bring the racket back to about your shoulder, then drop the shuttlecock and swing the racket forward, timing it so that the racket meets the shuttlecock below your waist.
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The history of the sport
Badminton is believed to have been invented in the mid-19th century by British military officers stationed in British India. The game is derived from the earlier game "battledore and shuttlecock", which was played in ancient Greece, China, and India. The first badminton rackets were made of a single piece of wood and animal gut strings. A piece of cloth was often wrapped around the handle for a more comfortable grip. The shuttlecock, also known as a "bird" or "birdie", was made from a small cork hemisphere pierced by 16 goose feathers.
The exact origins of the sport remain obscure, but it is believed to have been first played in Gloucestershire, England, at the country estate of the 9th Duke of Beaufort, Henry Somerset, around 1873. The sport is named after this Badminton estate. The first rules for the game were drawn up in 1873 in the garrison town of Poona (Pune), where it was particularly popular. By 1875, officers returning home had started a badminton club in Folkestone. The sport was initially played with sides ranging from one to four players, but it was quickly established that games with two or four competitors worked best.
The formation of the Badminton Association of England (BAE) in 1893 marked a significant step in standardising the rules and regulations of the sport. The Bath Badminton Club, established in 1877, introduced new rules to the game, which were published by the BAE in 1893. The first All England Open Badminton Championships, considered the world's first badminton tournament, were held in 1899. These developments laid the foundation for badminton's global expansion.
In 1934, the International Badminton Federation (IBF), now known as the Badminton World Federation (BWF), was formed as the sport's world governing body. The IBF was founded by England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. India joined as an affiliate in 1936. The first international tournament, the Thomas Cup, took place in 1946. Badminton became an official Olympic sport in 1992 in Barcelona, with four events: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, and women's doubles. Mixed doubles were added four years later.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock. The aim is to hit the shuttlecock into the opponent's half of the court. Points are scored when the shuttlecock touches the ground within the court boundaries or if an opponent hits it into the net or out of bounds.
The most common forms are singles (one player per side) and doubles (two players per side). Badminton can also be played with larger teams, and mixed doubles is also a popular variation.
The badminton court is rectangular and measures 13.4m long and 5.2m wide for singles, and 6.1m wide for doubles. The net is placed in the middle and is 1.55m high at the ends, dipping to 1.52m in the middle.
A point is scored on every serve. To win a game, a player must score 21 points, winning by two clear points if the game reaches 20-20. If the game goes to 29-29, the first player to reach 30 points wins.
