Helena Frye
Badminton is a racquet sport that has been around since the 16th century. It is played with racquets and a shuttlecock, which is a feathered or plastic projectile that flies differently from the balls used in other sports. The sport can be played with larger teams, but the most common forms are singles (one player per side) and doubles (two players per side). The aim of the game is to strike the shuttlecock with a racquet and land it within the other team's half of the court, within the set boundaries. Points are scored when the shuttlecock is successfully hit over the net and lands in the opponent's court, or when an opponent hits the shuttlecock into the net or outside the parameters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 (singles) or 4 (doubles) |
| Court dimensions | 6.1m wide and 13.4m long |
| Net height | 1.55m |
| Service rules | Serve diagonally across the net to the opponent's service court |
| Scoring | A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the opponent's court without touching the net or going out of bounds |
| Faults | Hitting the net with your body or racket, double-hitting the shuttlecock, deliberately distracting your opponent |
| Equipment | Rackets, shuttlecock |
| Shuttlecock composition | Feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base |
| Shuttlecock dimensions | 62-70mm long, weighing 4.74-5.5g |
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What You'll Learn
Badminton rules
Badminton is a racket sport played with rackets and a shuttlecock. The aim is to hit the shuttlecock back and forth over a net, landing it within the boundaries of the opposing side's half of the court. The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is a cone-shaped projectile made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base.
The Court
The badminton court is rectangular and measures 13.4m (44ft) in length and 5.2m (17ft) in width for singles matches. For doubles matches, the width of the court is extended to 6.1m (20ft). The net is positioned halfway across the court at the 6.1m (20ft) or 5.2m (17ft) mark for doubles and singles, respectively. It stands at 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high where it dips in the middle.
Scoring
A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands inside the boundaries of the opponent's half of the court, including the lines. A point can be conceded if the shuttlecock goes out of bounds, hits the net or passes through/under it, or if a player strikes it twice with their racket. Players must wait for the shuttlecock to cross the net before playing a shot. Touching the net with the body or racket results in a conceded point.
Matches are played in a best-of-three-games format, with each game played up to 21 points. If the score reaches 20-20, the winning side must lead by two clear points. If the match goes to a third game, players change ends when one side reaches 11 points.
Serving
The server must stand in their right-hand service court when serving and hit the shuttlecock diagonally into the opponent's service court. The shuttlecock must be struck below waist height and must pass the short service line, which is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net. The server can choose from a variety of serves, including a low serve, a lift, or a flat drive serve.
Strokes
Badminton offers a wide variety of basic and advanced strokes. Basic strokes include the forehand and backhand, with the forehand being played with the front of the hand leading and the backhand played with the back of the hand leading. Advanced strokes, such as the double motion, aim to deceive opponents by suggesting one direction and then playing the stroke in another direction.
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Badminton scoring system
Badminton 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 scoring system in badminton has evolved over the years, with the sport's governing body, the Badminton World Federation (BWF), making changes to improve the commercial and broadcasting appeal of the sport.
The original scoring system in badminton dates back to as early as 1873. Matches were decided by the best of three games, with each game played to 15 points in men's singles and doubles, 11 points in ladies' singles, and 21 points if a single game determined a match. The traditional scoring system allowed for a "set" or "setting", where players could choose to reset the score to 0-0 and then play to a lower number of points to win the game. For example, in a game to 21 points, setting would take place at 19 and 20 points, with the winner being the first to score five and three points, respectively.
In 2002, the BWF experimented with a different scoring system to regulate playing time and simplify the game for television viewers. The main change was the adoption of rally point scoring, where the winner of a rally scores a point regardless of who served. The ladies' singles matches were also changed to use the same rules as men's singles, with games lengthened to 21 points. This system was first used at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
In December 2005, the BWF experimented again with the scoring system, this time adopting a system with five games to 11 points with no setting. This system was tried in lower-level tournaments but was ultimately replaced by a modified version of the traditional scoring system.
The current scoring system in badminton, as of the BWF's endorsement in November 2024, is the 3 x 15 (setting to 21) scoring system. In this system, matches are still decided by the best of three games, with each game played to 15 points and the winner being the first to reach 15 or the first to reach 21 if the score reaches 14-14. The server's position is determined by their score, with the server serving from the right service court if their score is even and from the left service court if their score is odd. The receiver stands in the diagonally opposite service court. 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 or until one side reaches 30 points.
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Badminton equipment
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. The equipment required to play badminton includes:
Badminton Racquets
Racquets are used to hit the shuttlecock back and forth across the net. Modern racquets are lightweight, allowing players to use a very short hitting action for many strokes. This gives players the option to hit powerful or soft strokes until the last moment.
Shuttlecocks
The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is the projectile used in badminton. It is cone-shaped and made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The shuttlecock's shape causes it to always fly cork-first until it is hit again.
Nets
A net is placed halfway across the court, at a height of 5 feet (1.5 metres) above the ground. The net is made of three-quarter-inch mesh.
Court
The badminton court is rectangular and measures 44 feet (13.4 metres) long and 20 feet (6.1 metres) wide for doubles matches. For singles matches, the court is narrower, with a width of 17 feet (5.2 metres).
Other Equipment
Other equipment that can be used for badminton includes badminton shoes, clothing, and storage bags.
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Badminton court and dimensions
A badminton court is rectangular and divided into two halves by a net, with each player or pair occupying one half. The length of a standard badminton court is 13.4 metres or 44 feet, as mandated by the sport's governing body, the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The width of the court depends on the type of competition: singles or doubles. For singles matches, the width is 5.18 metres or 17 feet, whereas for doubles matches, the width is extended to 6.1 metres or 20 feet. The full court measures 14.723 metres or 48.3 feet diagonally.
The badminton net is an integral part of the court. It should be placed directly in the middle of the court, stretching across the width of 6.1 metres or 20 feet. The net stands at a height of 1.55 metres or 5 feet 1 inch at the ends and sags slightly towards the centre, where it should be 1.52 metres or 5 feet high. The poles supporting the net are also 1.55 metres high, while the mesh net itself has a height of 0.79 metres or 2.6 feet, with a gap of 0.76 metres or 2.5 feet underneath. The white tape or lining at the top of the net should be 3.81 centimetres or 1.5 inches high on each side. The mesh net should have a thickness of 1.43 to 2.06 centimetres or 0.56 to 0.81 inches.
The court has two service lines: the short service line and the long service line. The short service line is 1.98 metres or 6.5 feet from the net, while the long service line is 0.72 metres or 2.36 feet from the baseline. In singles matches, the service should be beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. In doubles matches, the service should go beyond the short service line, but the long service line acts as the marker for the backcourt. The long service line is located 2 feet 6 inches or 0.76 metres from the back boundary line.
The actual lines on the court should be 4 centimetres or 1.57 inches thick and should be coloured distinctly from the surface of the court, typically in white. The court should be surfaced with safe flooring materials such as wood, synthetic mats, or rubber flooring. A clearance of 2 feet or 0.61 metres should be provided around the entire badminton court. For major tournaments, the BWF mandates a vertical clearance of 39 feet or 11.88 metres.
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Badminton strokes and serves
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. The most common forms of the game are singles (with one player per side) and doubles (with two players per side). The server is allowed only one attempt to serve, unlike tennis, where the server gets two chances.
A badminton stroke is the movement of the player's racket with the intention to hit the shuttlecock. It is important to note that a stroke is considered as such even if the shuttlecock is not hit. Strokes refer to what happens before the shuttlecock is hit – how the racket is held, how it is swung, and from which location. Mastering footwork and different types of strokes is essential to producing good shots in a game of badminton.
There are four main types of strokes: overhead forehand, overhead backhand, underarm forehand, and underarm backhand. The under-chest stroke is usually defensive because the shuttlecock needs to start with an upward trajectory to go over the net. The over-chest stroke is performed with a backhand or forehand grip and is performed above the level of the chest. The over-chest forehand stroke is used to give the shuttlecock a downward trajectory.
The most common under-chest forehand stroke shots are:
- Forehand net shot
- Forehand net lift shot
- Forehand defensive drive
- Forehand low serve
- Forehand high serve
- Forehand low defence shot
- Forehand high defence shot
The most common under-chest backhand stroke shots are:
- Backhand net shot
- Backhand net lift shot
- Backhand defensive drive
- Backhand low serve
- Backhand high serve
- Backhand low defence shot
- Backhand high defence shot
The smash, or kill, is a hard stroke hit sharply downward. It is considered the most powerful shot in badminton and is usually played on the forehand. It is often difficult to return due to its pace and downward angle.
Other types of shots include the drop shot, which is strategic to use when the opponent is near the backcourt, anticipating a clear or drive stroke. The closer the shuttlecock drops to the net, the harder it is for the opponent to return. The clear shot is also known as lobbing and is the most important badminton shot, especially in a singles game. It involves hitting the shuttlecock around the middle of the racket head to make it go high in the air and land in the opponent's backcourt. The drive shot is a basic flat shot, hit directly over the net, and is widely used in doubles.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to play badminton outdoors. It is a popular sport in many countries and can be played in parks, on beaches, or even in your backyard. However, wind and rain can affect the shuttlecock's trajectory and speed, making it difficult to control.
Playing badminton outdoors is a great way to connect with nature and socialise with friends and family. It is also inexpensive and easily accessible, as you don't need a court.
The wind can be a significant factor when playing outdoors, affecting the shuttlecock's movement. Rain can also make the ground wet and slippery, increasing the risk of injuries. Additionally, visibility can be an issue, especially on sunny days, making it hard to spot the shuttlecock.
It depends on your preference and skill level. Indoor courts provide a controlled environment with less airflow, allowing for more precise shots. They are also safer, with a lower risk of slipping or falling. However, outdoor badminton offers a unique set of challenges and tactical variations due to environmental factors. While it may be less accurate, it provides an opportunity to develop new skills and strategies.
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