
Badminton is a popular racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock, also known as a birdie. While the sport is usually played outdoors casually, professional games are played on a rectangular indoor court. The game has two forms: singles, with one player per side, and doubles, with two players per side. Each game is umpired by a referee and has two rest periods: a 90-second break after the first game and a 5-minute break after the second. A round of badminton is called a game and each game is played until one side scores 21 points.
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What You'll Learn

Scoring a point
In the event of a fault, such as a player touching the net with their body or racquet, or a shuttlecock hitting the net, the umpire, service judge, or the opposing side (in the absence of officials) may call a fault, and the offending side loses the point. A 'let' may also be called by the referee if an unforeseen or accidental issue arises, such as a shuttlecock landing on the court from another game being played nearby. In this case, the rally is replayed with no change to the score.
The scoring system in badminton is designed to be simple. In singles and doubles matches, each player or pair takes turns serving when they win a rally. The first side to reach 21 points wins the game, but they must win by at least two points. If the score reaches 20-20, the game continues until one side gains a two-point lead, up to a maximum of 30 points.
In doubles matches, the pair wins points together, and the players on each side must stand in diagonally opposite service courts, with the receiver's position determined by the server's score. If the server's score is odd, they serve from the left court, and if it is even, they serve from the right court. The receivers never change their service courts unless their side wins a point while serving, in which case they move to the opposite service courts.
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Faults
A round of badminton is called a match, and faults in badminton can result in point penalties or the loss of a rally. Badminton is a dynamic sport that requires skill, strategy, and a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations. Here are some of the most common faults in badminton:
Service Faults
The service is a critical aspect of badminton, and faults can occur if the player fails to hit the shuttlecock below the waist or with an upward motion. Other service faults include stepping on or over the service line before hitting the shuttlecock, serving from an incorrect position or outside the service court boundaries, and deliberate attempts to deceive the opponent with illegal service actions.
Double Hit
A double hit occurs when a player hits the shuttlecock twice in succession or when teammates make contact with the shuttlecock simultaneously. Hitting the shuttlecock with anything other than the strings of the racket is also considered a fault.
Racket Above the Head
If a player's racket is above their head when hitting the shuttlecock, especially during a serve, it is considered a fault. Serves should always be made from below the waist.
Racket or Body Touching the Net
If a player's racket or body touches the net during the rally, it is a fault. Players must respect their opponent's space and not interfere with their play.
Unsportsmanlike Behaviour
Behavioural fouls include the use of offensive language or gestures, displaying unsportsmanlike behaviour such as arguing with the referee, and intentionally distracting or obstructing the opponent.
Overstepping
Players must not step on the boundary lines during service or play, as this can result in a fault.
To avoid faults, players should practice proper technique, maintain court awareness, and demonstrate good sportsmanship. Understanding the rules and regulations of badminton is essential for fair play and competitive integrity.
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Lets
In badminton, a 'let' refers to an unforeseen or accidental event that disrupts the game. If a 'let' is called, the current rally is stopped and replayed without any change to the score. This call may be made by the referee or umpire.
There are several scenarios in which a 'let' may be called. For example, if the receiver is not ready when the service is delivered, a 'let' is called. However, if the receiver attempts to return the shuttlecock, they are deemed to have been ready. A 'let' may also be called if the shuttlecock gets stuck in the net, the server serves out of turn, or if there is a close decision that is difficult to judge.
In addition to these scenarios, a 'let' can be called due to unexpected disturbances, such as the shuttlecock landing on the court after being hit there by players from an adjacent court. In small halls, if the shuttlecock touches an overhead rail, this can also result in a 'let'. These situations require a stoppage and replay of the rally to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game.
The rules regarding 'lets' in badminton are essential to ensure that both players or teams have a fair opportunity to compete and showcase their skills. These rules are universally applied in badminton competitions, including at the Olympic Games, where the sport has been a regular fixture since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
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Shuttlecock testing
Firstly, the design of the shuttlecock is regulated. It is a high-drag projectile with a unique open conical shape. The cone is made of sixteen overlapping feathers embedded in a rounded cork base, which is then covered in thin leather or synthetic material. There are also synthetic shuttles, often used by recreational players, made with a plastic skirt and a base of natural cork or synthetic foam. The use of synthetic shuttles helps to reduce costs, as feathered shuttles are more delicate and prone to breakage.
Secondly, there are specific rules for testing the speed of a shuttlecock. According to badminton regulations, a full underhand stroke should be used to hit the shuttlecock, making contact with it over the back boundary line. It should be hit at an upward angle, parallel to the sidelines. A shuttlecock of the correct speed will land between 530 mm and 990 mm short of the opposite back boundary line.
Additionally, there are rules regarding the use of the shuttlecock during a badminton match. For instance, a player can only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. If a player strikes the shuttlecock twice, it is considered a fault, and a point is awarded to the opponent. The shuttlecock must be hit below waist height, and players must serve diagonally across the net to their opponent.
Furthermore, the shuttlecock plays a crucial role in scoring points. A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands within the boundaries of the opponent's court. If the shuttlecock hits the net or lands out of bounds, the opponent receives a point. In the event of a shuttlecock getting stuck in the net, a let may be called, resulting in a replay of the rally without changing the score.
In conclusion, shuttlecock testing in badminton encompasses both the standardisation of equipment and the adherence to rules governing its use during play. This ensures fairness and consistency in the sport, allowing players to focus on their skills and strategies without worrying about equipment discrepancies or rule ambiguities.
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Court dimensions
The court dimensions for badminton are an important aspect of the game, ensuring fair play and exciting matches. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) sets the official badminton court measurements, which apply to both singles and doubles matches.
A standard badminton court is rectangular and measures 13.4 metres (44 feet) in length. The width of the court varies depending on the type of competition, with singles courts measuring 5.18 metres (17 feet) and doubles courts measuring 6.1 metres (20 feet). The net width for doubles matches is also 6.1 metres, covering the full width of the court. The total surface area of a singles court is 69.46 square metres (748 square feet), while a doubles court has a surface area of 81.8 square metres (880 square feet).
The court is divided into halves by a net, with each half measuring 6.7 metres (22 feet) in length. 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 service court is further divided by a centre line, with the short service line set at 1.98 metres (6.5 feet) from the net. For doubles matches, there is also a long service line that is placed 0.72 metres (2.36 feet or 2 feet 6 inches) from the back boundary line.
To ensure the safety of athletes and spectators, a clearance area of at least 1 metre (3.3 feet) is required around the court, with some organisations recommending a minimum of 2 metres (6.56 feet) if there are walls or other hazards nearby. These dimensions may be adjusted for younger players, with junior badminton courts typically measuring 34 feet in length to accommodate the reach of younger athletes.
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Frequently asked questions
A round of badminton is called a match.
A badminton match consists of three games.
A player or pair must win 21 points to win a badminton game.
The court size for a badminton match is 6.1m by 13.4m, with a net in the middle set at 1.55m.










































