
In badminton, a carry refers to an illegal move where a player catches the shuttlecock with their racket and carries it over the net. This is not allowed in official badminton rules and is considered a fault. The player must not catch the shuttlecock and carry it over the net, but instead, ensure it is hit in one stroke without touching any court lines before the server strikes the shuttlecock.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Serve | Must be hit cross-court (diagonally) and below the waist. |
| Rally | A player wins a rally when they strike the shuttlecock and it touches the floor of the opponent's side or when the opponent commits a fault. |
| Fault | A fault occurs when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or it lands outside the court. It is also a fault if a player "catches" the shuttlecock and carries it over the net. |
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What You'll Learn

Carrying the shuttlecock over the net
Carrying the shuttlecock is a unique feature of badminton. The rules regarding carrying the shuttlecock over the net can be tricky and are open to interpretation.
Firstly, it is important to understand that the shuttlecock must pass over the net. This is a basic rule of badminton, and if a player fails to do so, it results in a fault. However, there is an exception to this rule. If a player uses a single swing and hits the shuttlecock multiple times, carrying it over the net, it is not considered a fault. This rule is open to interpretation, as it can be challenging to determine what constitutes a single swing in a continuous motion.
The interpretation of the rule becomes crucial in doubles play. In this format, both players on the same team cannot hit the shuttlecock while it is on their side of the net. If one player hits the shuttlecock in a way that it will not go over the net, the other player cannot then hit it again to carry it over. This is known as the "double touch" rule, and it is illegal. However, the shuttlecock is allowed to touch the frame and strings during a singular motion, which means a scoopy save is legal.
The interpretation of a single swing and a new movement or shot is essential in understanding the rules around carrying. While there is some ambiguity, the spirit of the rules is to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by continuously carrying the shuttlecock over the net without allowing their opponents a chance to return it.
In summary, carrying the shuttlecock over the net in badminton is a complex rule that requires interpretation. While a single swing that hits the shuttlecock multiple times is allowed, the definition of a single swing is vague and can be challenging to determine. The rules also vary between singles and doubles play, with the "double touch" rule prohibiting partners from carrying the shuttlecock together.
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Faults and lets
One of the most common faults in badminton is the service fault. A service fault occurs when the server does not follow the proper serving technique. This includes failing to serve from below the waist in an upward motion, not serving diagonally to the opposite service court, or pausing between the backswing and forward swing of the serve. Players should also refrain from touching the boundary lines of the service courts during the serve.
Contact faults are another type of fault. These occur when the shuttlecock comes into contact with any object or person other than the rackets. Players should ensure that the shuttlecock only touches their racket during the game to avoid contact faults.
Double-hit faults are also important to avoid. A double-hit fault occurs when a player or their teammate hits the shuttlecock twice in succession. Players should be cautious not to hit the shuttlecock multiple times before it passes over the net. Additionally, no part of the body or racket should touch the net, as this will result in a net foul.
While most faults result in a lost point or service, some situations call for a "let," where the rally is replayed. For example, if the shuttlecock gets stuck in the net after being served, it is considered a fault for the server but a let if it happens after the serve. However, if the shuttlecock hits the ceiling, it is not a let, and the rally continues.
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Scoring
Badminton matches are typically played as the best of three games. To win a game, a player or team must be the first to reach 21 points. 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 game continues until one side has a two-point lead. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to reach 30 points wins the game.
Players are required to change ends under specific conditions. In a two-game match, players change ends at the conclusion of the first game. In a three-game match, players also change ends at the end of the second game, and in the third game, they change ends when one side reaches a score of 11 points.
During the serve, the shuttlecock, also known as a "birdie", must be hit below waist height. The server starts from the right service court and will continue to serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. A player serves from the left every time they have an odd number of points. In singles, a player will retain the serve for as long as they keep winning points. In doubles, the server will start on the right-hand side and keep serving, while alternating sides with their partner, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side takes the point, they assume the serve. Going forward, the player who did not initially serve will only assume the serve once their side has won a point as the receiving side.
A rally is won when a player strikes the shuttlecock and it touches the floor of the opponent's side of the court, or when the opponent commits a fault. The most common type of fault is when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or it lands outside the boundary of the court.
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Court equipment
Badminton is a racket sport played with rackets to hit a shuttlecock back and forth over a net. The sport is known for its fast-paced rallies, requiring agility and precision.
The badminton court is a rectangular surface divided in half by a center badminton net. The court is usually marked for both singles and doubles games, with boundary widths varying between the two match types. The standard court size for doubles is 44 feet (13.4 meters) by 20 feet (6.1 meters). For singles, the court size is reduced to 44 feet (13.4 meters) by 17 feet (5.18 meters).
The net stands at a height of 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 meters) at the ends and dips to 5 feet (1.52 meters) in the middle. The court is divided into four service courts, each measuring 12.72 feet (3.88 meters) long and 8.3 feet (2.53 meters) wide. There are two service lines: the short service line, which is 6.5 feet (1.98 meters) from the net, and the long service line, which is 2.36 feet (0.72 meters) in from the baseline.
The flooring of a badminton court typically consists of safe, cushioned materials such as wood, synthetic mats, or rubber to provide comfort and reduce the risk of injury during the players' quick movements.
To play badminton, each participant needs a racket, and it is recommended to wear appropriate footwear to facilitate quick movements and reduce the risk of injury.
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Stroke rules
Badminton is a technical sport that requires good motor coordination and sophisticated racquet movements. The strokes you execute are fundamental to producing a good shot in a game of badminton. There are four common badminton strokes: clear, drive, drop, and smash.
The clear shot is the most important badminton shot, especially in a singles game. It is also known as lobbing. To execute a clear shot, contact the shuttlecock around the middle of your racket head. The aim is to make the shuttlecock go up high in the air and land in your opponent's backcourt.
The drive shot is a basic flat shot, directly hit over the net. It is a powerful, quick-counterattacking shot that is easy to execute. If played correctly, it will force your opponent to hit an upward return, giving you an opportunity to counter-attack. To execute the shot, your racket should be held with the head facing straight ahead, locking your wrist as the shuttle comes in contact with your racket.
The drop shot is a strategic shot to use when your opponent is near the backcourt, anticipating your stroke to be a clear or drive. To execute a drop shot, use a little force to push the shuttle over the net. For more advanced play, if you are in the mid-court, you can try slicing the shuttlecock so it will bounce nicely over the net.
The smash, also known as the kill, is a hard stroke hit sharply downward. It is considered the most powerful shot in badminton and is usually played on the forehand.
In addition to these four common strokes, there are other more advanced shots in badminton, such as spinning shots, lifts, and net kills. It is always important to disguise your shots so that it is not easy for your opponent to predict your next move.
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Frequently asked questions
No, carrying the shuttlecock is not allowed in badminton. A fault is called when a player "catches" the shuttlecock and carries it over the net.
A fault is called when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or it lands outside the boundary of the court.
A fault can also be called when a player hits the shuttlecock twice in succession or when a player and their partner hit the shuttlecock successively.
A serve must be hit cross-court (diagonally) to be valid. During the serve, the player should not touch any of the lines of the court until they strike the shuttlecock, which should be hit from below the waist.









































