
Badminton is a game played between two players or teams of two players, with a shuttlecock and racquet. The aim is to hit the shuttlecock over the net and within the court boundaries. The rules and boundaries differ slightly for singles and doubles matches. In singles, the court is thinner, with the wide, outside tramlines considered out of bounds. In doubles, the full width of the court is in play, and the tramlines are considered in. During service in doubles, the court is shortened, with the rear tramlines at the back of the court considered out of bounds. The service must always be hit diagonally, from right to the opponent's right court for even numbers and from left to right for odd numbers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Court boundaries for singles and doubles | Different |
| Singles court boundary | "Thin and long" |
| Doubles court boundary | "Short and wide" during serve, full court after |
| Scoring | Matches are the best of 3 games to 21 points, with a 2-point margin for victory; if the score reaches 29-29, a sudden death point is played |
| Service | Must be diagonal across the court, from right to opponent's right court for even numbers, and from left for odd numbers; no second serves; must be hit 'underarm' with the racket head and shaft angled downward, and the shuttle below the waist at contact; in elite BWF competition, the shuttle must be below 1.15 metres from the floor when struck |
| Faults | Opponent awarded a point if player touches the net while shuttle is in play; a player may not touch the shuttle before it has crossed the net |
| Shuttlecock | Feather (for intermediate and expert players) or plastic (for beginners); feather shuttles are made of 16 goose feathers attached to a cork base covered in leather, but don't last long; plastic shuttles are more durable |
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What You'll Learn
- Singles vs. doubles: Singles is played on a thinner court, with the outer 'tramlines' out of bounds
- Service rules: The shuttlecock must be hit diagonally, and the server's racket must be angled downward
- Scoring: Matches are best of 3 games to 21 points, with a 2-point margin for victory
- Faults: Touching the net while the shuttlecock is in play results in a fault, and the opponent gains a point
- Equipment: Badminton racquets are typically 68 cm long and weigh 90 grams

Singles vs. doubles: Singles is played on a thinner court, with the outer 'tramlines' out of bounds
Badminton is a racket sport played by two players against each other (singles) or two teams of two players each (doubles). The aim is to hit the shuttlecock with a racket and send it to the opponent's side of the court, with the point being awarded to the receiver if it goes out of bounds.
The court is marked with various lines, each serving a specific purpose. The outer boundary lines define the area of play. The lines surrounding the court are called the 'boundary lines'. When the shuttlecock falls outside the boundary line, the point is awarded to the receiver. If the shuttlecock lands on the line, the hitter gets the point. The game is based on honesty, and there may not always be line judges or an umpire, so players must be sportsmanlike and honest.
The boundary lines are used differently in singles and doubles matches. In singles, the court is thinner, and the outer tramlines are out of bounds. The boundary line here is called "thin and long". The singles court's boundary is the inner line at the side and the outer line at the end.
In doubles, the court is full width, and the tramlines are 'in'. The boundary line here is called "short and wide" during the serve. If the shuttlecock falls outside the inner line but inside the outer line, the server gets the point. Once the serve is over, the boundary becomes the full court, with the whole outer line as the boundary. This rule also applies to mixed doubles.
It is important to know the rules of badminton before stepping onto the court to avoid any disputes and to gain a better understanding of the game.
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Service rules: The shuttlecock must be hit diagonally, and the server's racket must be angled downward
Badminton is played on a court with a series of lines that define the boundaries for singles and doubles matches. The rules of badminton dictate that the shuttlecock must be hit diagonally when serving, and the server's racket must be angled downward. This means that the server must hit the shuttlecock across the court diagonally, from their right to their opponent's right court, with their racket facing downward. The service rules in badminton ensure that the game proceeds fairly and that players take turns returning the serve.
The service rules in badminton vary slightly between singles and doubles matches. In singles, the court is thinner, and the wide outside 'tramlines' are out of bounds. The boundary line for singles is referred to as "thin and long." In doubles, the full width of the court is used, and the tramlines are considered 'in'. During service in doubles, the court is short, with the rear tramlines at the back of the court included in the playing area. The boundary line for doubles is described as "short and wide" during the serve.
When serving, the shuttlecock must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and must cross over their front service line, which is the first horizontal line on each side of the court closest to the net. This diagonal service rule ensures that players cannot serve directly at their opponents' bodies and encourages a more strategic approach to the game. The server must also ensure that their racket is angled downward during the serve, with the racket head and shaft pointing downwards, and the shuttlecock must be contacted below the waist.
It is important to note that in elite BWF competitions, there are additional service rules. Service judges and service height-measuring devices are used to ensure that the shuttlecock is below 1.15 meters from the floor when struck. Players must also have both feet in contact with the floor, and no part of their foot should be touching the service line or other court boundaries during the serve. These rules promote fair play and ensure that serves are consistent and controlled.
Badminton is a game that values honesty, and it is not uncommon for there to be no line judges or umpires present during casual matches. Players are expected to be sportsmanlike and honest about whether the shuttlecock has landed in or out of the boundaries. By following the service rules and displaying good sportsmanship, players can ensure a fair and enjoyable badminton experience for all participants.
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Scoring: Matches are best of 3 games to 21 points, with a 2-point margin for victory
Badminton matches are typically played as the best of three games, with each game played until a player or team reaches 21 points. Games must be won by a margin of two points, so play will continue beyond 21 points if the score is still within two points of each other. If the score reaches 29-29, a sudden-death point is played to determine the winner. A point is awarded to the winner of each rally, and the winner of the previous rally serves at the start of the next point.
Players stay on the same side of the court to receive serve and only switch sides when a point is won 'on serve'. When a point is won 'on serve', the same player continues to serve until a rally is lost. If a player touches the net while the shuttlecock is still in play, a fault is called and the point is awarded to the opponent. If the net is touched after the shuttlecock has either struck the floor or the opponent, this is not considered a fault as the rally is 'dead'.
The service must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half-court and over their front service line, which is the first horizontal line on each side of the court, closest to the net. Unlike tennis, there are no second serves, and the shuttlecock must be hit underarm, meaning the server's racket head and shaft must be angled in a downward direction, and the shuttlecock must be below the waist when struck. In elite BWF competition, the shuttlecock must be below 1.15 metres from the floor when struck. Both feet should be in contact with the floor, and no part of the foot should be touching the service line or the other court boundaries when serving.
The boundary line is the line surrounding the court. When the shuttlecock hits outside the boundary line, the point is given to the receiver. There are two types of boundary lines: the serving line and the boundary line. If the shuttlecock lands on the line, the point is given to the hitter. Badminton is a game played with honesty, and there may not be line judges or an umpire, so players must be sportsmanlike and honest about whatever happens in the game.
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Faults: Touching the net while the shuttlecock is in play results in a fault, and the opponent gains a point
The net plays a crucial role in badminton, and any contact with it during play results in a fault. This includes touching the net with any part of the body, clothing, or racket while the shuttlecock is in play. The opponent is awarded a point for this infraction.
It is essential to understand the boundaries of the court and the role of the net in relation to these boundaries. The lines surrounding the court are called boundary lines, and they come into play when determining if a shot is in or out. There are two types of boundary lines: the serving line and the outer boundary line. In singles, the inner line at the side and the outer line at the end are considered the boundary lines. For doubles, the boundary line is referred to as "short and wide" during the serve, encompassing the area between the inner and outer lines. Once the serve is complete, the full outer line becomes the boundary for doubles as well.
When a player touches the net or its supports with their racket, person, or clothing during a rally, it is considered a fault, and the opponent gains a point. This is true even if the shuttlecock has already hit the net and is tumbling toward the opponent's court. The rally is not considered over until the shuttlecock has touched the ground, so touching the net during this interval is still a fault.
To avoid committing a fault, players should be mindful of their positioning and movements during the game. It is crucial to maintain a certain level of flexibility and agility to prevent accidental contact with the net. Proper stretching and warming up before a game can help in this regard. Additionally, players should focus on executing their shots accurately to ensure the shuttlecock does not strike the net unintentionally.
While touching the net results in a fault, it is important to note that the shuttlecock touching an opponent's body or clothing before their racket hits the net is also considered a fault. This highlights the importance of maintaining control and accuracy during play to avoid giving away points to the opposition.
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Equipment: Badminton racquets are typically 68 cm long and weigh 90 grams
The equipment used in badminton is crucial to the game, and technological advancements have led to the development of faster and more powerful racquets. The standard length of a badminton racquet is 65 cm, although some sources state that racquets can be up to 68 cm in length. The weight of a racquet is an important consideration, as it affects the player's speed, power, manoeuvrability, and comfort.
Racquet weights typically range from 60 grams for the lightest models to over 100 grams for heavier metal racquets. The average weight is between 80 and 90 grams, with 89 grams being a common weight for medium-weight racquets that offer good manoeuvrability. Heavier racquets, weighing 90 to 95 grams, are still within the classic weight range and can provide more power, especially for those who hit overheads.
The weight of a racquet is distributed between the grip and the frame, with the head typically measuring 20 cm wide and 24 cm tall. The weight distribution influences the racquet's overall manoeuvrability, power, and feel. A lightweight racquet provides greater comfort and speed, while a heavier racquet offers more power but sacrifices speed and manoeuvrability.
In addition to weight, the flexibility and balance of the racquet are also important factors to consider when choosing equipment. The racquet's head shape, flexibility, and materials used can vary, with options including oval or isometric heads and aluminium, graphite, or carbon fibre construction.
The choice of equipment depends on factors such as the player's skill level, budget, and style of play. Beginners may opt for affordable aluminium racquets, while more experienced players might prefer the comfort and performance of graphite or carbon fibre models.
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Frequently asked questions
The boundary line for singles badminton is called "thin and long". The boundary of the court is the inner line at the side, and the outer line at the end. If the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary, it is considered out.
The boundary line for doubles badminton is called "short and wide". During serving, if the shuttlecock hits outside the inner line but inside the outer line, the serve counts and a point is awarded to the server. Once the serve ends, the boundary becomes full court, meaning the whole outer line is the boundary.
A point is awarded when the shuttlecock lands in the opponent's court or if the opponent fails to return it over the net and within the court boundaries. If the shuttlecock hits the line, the point is awarded to the hitter.
The service must be hit diagonally to the opponent's half court and over their front service line. The server must also ensure that both feet are in contact with the floor and not touching any part of the boundary lines.










































