Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a popular sport with a passionate global following. It is played either as singles or doubles, with matches consisting of a best-of-three format. Each game is played to 21 points, with a two-point lead required to win. While there is no specific time limit, a badminton match typically lasts around 45 minutes on average, depending on the length of rallies and the skill level of players. Some games might last about 15 minutes, while more competitive matches can stretch over an hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Game format | Singles or doubles |
| Number of players | 2 (singles), 4 (doubles) |
| Number of games to win a match | Best of 3 games |
| Number of points to win a game | 21 points |
| Scoring | A point is scored on every serve and awarded to the side that wins the rally |
| Winning a point | A player wins a point when the shuttlecock touches the floor on the opponent's side of the court or when the opponent commits a fault |
| Fault | Failing to hit the shuttlecock over the net or landing outside the boundary of the court |
| Shuttlecock | A cone-shaped projectile formed using feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base |
| Shuttlecock dimensions | 62-70mm long, weighing 4.74-5.5g |
| Court dimensions (singles) | 13.41m (44ft) long, 5.18m (17ft) wide |
| Court dimensions (doubles) | 13.41m (44ft) long, 6.1m (20ft) wide |
| Net height | 1.55m (5ft 1in) at the ends, 1.52m (5ft) in the middle |
| Playing time | Casual players play for 1-2 hours, more intense groups play for 2-4 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring system
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock, also known as a "
In badminton, matches are played in a best-of-three-games format. To win a game, a player or team must be the first to score 21 points. A point is scored on every serve and awarded to whichever side 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 (for example, 22-20). If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score 30 points wins the game.
In singles, the server starts on the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. They serve from the left service court when they have an odd number of points. Each player continues to serve as long as they keep winning points. In doubles, the server always starts on the right-hand side but alternates sides with their teammate after each point won. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve. In subsequent plays, the player who did not initially serve for each team will only assume the serve once their side has won a point as the receiving side.
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, they 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.
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Singles vs doubles
A badminton game can be played either as singles or doubles. In singles, there are two players competing against each other, whereas in doubles, two pairs of players form teams and compete against each other, resulting in a game of four players. The court dimensions for singles and doubles matches are different. In singles, the court is 13.41m long and 5.18m wide, whereas in doubles, the width of the court is extended to 6.1m. The net is also adjusted to a specific height for each type of game, with a slight dip in the middle. It is set at 1.55m at the ends and 1.52m in the middle for singles, and 1.52m at the ends and 1.5m in the middle for doubles.
The rules for serving in singles and doubles badminton also differ slightly. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side every time they have an even number of points. They serve from the left when they have an odd number of points. In doubles, the server always starts on the right-hand side and keeps serving from that side, alternating with their teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they get to serve. Then, the player who did not initially serve for each team will assume the serve once their side has won a point as the receiving side.
The strategies employed in singles and doubles badminton can also vary. In singles, players may use deception by holding their racquet ready for a net shot but then quickly flicking the shuttlecock to the back with a shallow lift when they notice their opponent has moved. This can catch the opponent off guard and make it difficult for them to cover the entire court. In doubles, players need to coordinate their movements and shots effectively to ensure they are in sync with their partner. They need to communicate well and anticipate each other's moves to gain an advantage over their opponents.
The physical demands of singles and doubles badminton also differ. Some players find that singles is more physically demanding than doubles as there is a larger area of the court to cover and more reliance on individual skill and stamina. Doubles can be less physically demanding as the workload is shared between two players, allowing for more strategic play and the ability to conserve energy by relying on your partner during rallies.
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Court size
The court size for a badminton match varies depending on whether a singles or doubles match is being played. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) governs the size of a regulation badminton court, which is the same for all levels, from junior games to senior Olympic matches.
The length of a standard badminton court is 13.4 metres (44 feet) for both singles and doubles matches. The width of the court, however, differs depending on the type of match. For singles matches, the court is 5.18 metres (17 feet) wide, while for doubles matches, the width is extended to 6.1 metres (20 feet). The full court measures 14.723 metres diagonally.
The badminton court is rectangular in shape and is divided into two halves by a net, with each half measuring 6.7 metres (22 feet). The net stands at a height of 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) at the ends and dips to 1.52 metres (5 feet) in the middle. The two playing areas on either side of the net are further vertically divided down the middle, demarcating the service areas.
The service courts are split by a centre line dividing the width of the court and are set back from the net by a 'short service line' of 1.98 metres (6.5 feet). Doubles games also require a 'long service line' that is placed 0.76 metres (2.5 feet) in from the back boundary. The actual lines should be 4 centimetres (1.57 inches) thick and should be a colour that is easily distinguishable from the surface of the court, usually white.
The BWF also specifies that there should be a 61-centimetre (2-foot) safety perimeter around the court. However, some organisations, such as Sport Scotland, require a larger gap of 2 metres (6.56 feet) between the court and any walls or hazardous obstacles.
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Shuttlecock
A unique feature of badminton is the shuttlecock, also known as the birdie. The shuttlecock is a cone-shaped projectile, with feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The feathers create drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate quickly. The feathers also give the shuttlecock a higher top speed compared to balls used in other racquet sports, making badminton the fastest racquet sport in the world. The shuttlecock's flight gives badminton its distinctive nature, and the sport is named accordingly in some languages, such as German Federball, literally meaning feather-ball.
The shuttlecock is hit back and forth across a net using racquets. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. A point is scored when the shuttlecock touches the floor of the opponent's side of the court, or when the opponent fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or it lands outside the court boundaries. The rally is over when the shuttlecock touches the ground.
The lightness of modern racquets allows players to use a very short hitting action for many strokes. This enables players to maintain the option to hit powerful or soft strokes until the last moment. For example, a singles player may hold their racquet ready for a net shot, but then flick the shuttlecock to the back instead with a shallow lift. A shallow lift takes less time to reach the ground, making the opponent's task of covering the whole court more difficult.
The shuttlecock's shape means it will always fly cork-first once struck, and remain so until hit again. Made up of 16 feathers, the shuttlecock is between 62-70mm long and weighs between 4.74 and 5.5g. The tip of the feathers should create a circle with a diameter from 58-62mm, with the cork or rubber base 25-28mm in diameter and rounded at the bottom.
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Faults
A badminton game can be affected by several faults, which can be called by the umpire, service judge, or the opposing side. The most common type of fault is when a player fails to hit the shuttlecock, or birdie, over the net, or if it lands outside the boundary of the court. The shuttlecock is a unique feature of badminton, being made of feathers or synthetic material, attached to a cork or rubber base. The feathers create high drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate rapidly.
The rules of badminton dictate that each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. If a player strikes the shuttlecock again after the initial hit, this is a fault. A rally is over when the shuttlecock touches the floor, or if a fault is called.
The service rules in badminton can also lead to faults. In singles, the server starts from the right service court and will serve from that side when they have an even number of points. They serve from the left on odd-numbered points. In doubles, the server starts on the right and keeps serving and alternating sides with their teammate as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins the point, they assume the serve.
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Frequently asked questions
A badminton game lasts until one side wins by achieving 21 points, with a two-point lead. If the score hits 20-20, the game continues until one side has a two-point lead, up to a maximum of 30 points.
A badminton match typically consists of three games, with each game lasting around 15-60 minutes. The overall match duration can vary from 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on the number of games played and the length of each game.
The duration of a badminton game depends on various factors, including player skill levels, match intensity, the number of rallies, and the competition level.
It depends on the players and the context. Casual players might play for around 1-2 hours, including practice and matches. Competitive players might have longer sessions, ranging from 2 to 4 hours.
There is no fixed duration for a rally in badminton. A rally refers to the back-and-forth exchange of shots during a point. The length of a rally can vary depending on the skill and endurance of the players.
