Ayrton Oneill
Badminton is a popular sport played with rackets and a shuttlecock, also known as a birdie or bird. An inning in badminton refers to the serving period of a player or team, which can consist of multiple serves if they continue to score points. The rules of serving in badminton are quite specific, with the birdie needing to be hit below waist height and served diagonally into the opponent's service box. The service court alternates with each serve, starting on the right-hand side at the beginning of the game. In singles, the server always serves from the right service court when their score is even and from the left when odd. In doubles, the server starts on the right and alternates with their partner as long as they keep winning points.
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Scoring system
Badminton matches are typically played as the best of three games, with the first side to reach 21 points declared the winner of a game. Points are awarded to whichever side wins the rally, with the winning side getting the next serve. If the game reaches 20-20, a side must win by two clear points, and if the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score their 30th point wins.
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. A player serves from the left every time they have an odd number of points. Each player will retain serve 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 teammate, as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they assume the serve.
The receiver's position is determined not by their own score but by the server's score. The receiver always stands in the service box diagonally opposite the server. In other words, both players will be in the even service courts or the odd service courts.
In doubles, instead of each person winning points, each pair wins points. At the start of the game, when the score is 0-0, the serving pair chooses who serves for the first rally, and the receiving pair chooses who receives. The even/odd rule still applies, so if the server's score is odd, they will serve from the left court, and if it is even, they will serve from the right. The receiver will stand in the diagonally opposite service court. Whenever the serving side wins a rally, the same person serves again but from the other service court. The serve does not alternate between partners and stays with one person until the opponents win a rally and get the serve.
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Service rules
The service is an important part of a badminton player's gameplay. It can shape the entire match and is not just a formality. Here are the service rules in badminton:
Shuttlecock Height
The shuttlecock must be struck below 1.15 meters (3.77 feet) from the court's surface. This rule was introduced in 2018 to ensure fairness in high-level tournaments by limiting power and levelling the playing field. In non-BWF tournaments, players follow the traditional rule of hitting the shuttle below the waist. The waist is considered an imaginary line coinciding with the server's lowest rib.
Service Court
The shuttlecock must be delivered to the diagonal service court. In singles, the shuttlecock must land in the long, narrow court, and in doubles, it must land in the short, wide court. The service alternates courts, starting in the right-hand court at the beginning of the game. Thereafter, service is made from the right-hand court when the server has an even number of points, and from the left-hand court when they have an odd number of points.
Footwork
Both feet must be in contact with the ground when striking the shuttlecock. The player's feet must not be touching any of the court lines, and they must stand behind the service line within their designated service court.
Striking the Shuttlecock
The cork, not the feather, must be struck. It is a fault if the shuttlecock is struck above the waist or if the head of the racket is higher than the hand when hit.
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Faults
An inning in badminton refers to a set of rules that dictate the number of serves each player or team is allowed. For instance, in doubles, only one serve is allowed in the first inning, while two serves are allowed in each inning thereafter.
Now, when it comes to faults in badminton, there are several types, and they can result in losing a point or the service. These faults can be broadly categorized into service faults, play faults, and behavioural faults.
Service faults occur when the service is not executed correctly. For instance, if the shuttlecock is not served diagonally to the opposite side of the opponent's court, it is considered a fault. Another service fault occurs when the server's racket head is pointing upwards or sideways during the service motion, which is known as a service overhead fault. Serving above the waist or having the head of the racket higher than the hand when hitting the shuttlecock are also service faults. Any unnecessary delay in service, such as taking too long to serve or dragging the feet, can also result in a service fault.
Play faults refer to mistakes made during the game. For example, touching the net with the racket or any part of the body during play is a play fault. Double-hitting the shuttlecock, either by the same player or by both teammates simultaneously, is another play fault. Failing to get the shuttlecock over the net during the serve or return can also result in a net foul. Interfering with the opponent's shot or movement, such as obstructing their swing, is considered a play fault as well.
Behavioural faults are related to player conduct and sportsmanship. Using offensive language or gestures, displaying unsportsmanlike behaviour, such as arguing with the referee, or intentionally distracting the opponent are all considered behavioural faults. Unnecessarily delaying the game or using stalling tactics to gain an advantage are also frowned upon and can result in behavioural faults being called.
By practicing proper technique, maintaining court awareness, and demonstrating good sportsmanship, players can minimize the risk of committing faults and ensure a fair and enjoyable game of badminton.
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Court dimensions
The dimensions of a badminton court vary slightly depending on whether a singles or doubles match is being played. The court is rectangular and divided into two halves by a net, with each player or pair of players occupying one half.
For both singles and doubles matches, the court should be 13.4 metres or 44 feet long. The width, however, differs depending on the type of match. For singles matches, the court should be 5.18 metres or 17 feet wide. For doubles matches, the width is extended to 6.1 metres or 20 feet. The total surface area of a singles court is 69.46 square metres or 748 square feet, while a doubles court has a surface area of 81.8 square metres or 880 square feet.
The badminton net spans the width of the court and is 1.55 metres or 5.1 feet high at the sides, dipping slightly to 1.52 metres or 5 feet high in the middle. The court is further divided by service lines. The short service line is 1.98 metres or 6.5 feet from the net, and the long service line is 0.72 metres or 2.36 feet from the baseline. In singles matches, the shuttlecock must be served beyond the short service line and within the boundary lines. In doubles matches, the shuttlecock should be served beyond the short service line but the long service line acts as the marker on the backcourt.
The court should have a clearance area of at least 0.61 metres or 2 feet around it to keep athletes and spectators safe. For indoor courts, it is recommended that there is 9.14 metres or 30 feet of vertical clearance to prevent shots from hitting the roof. For major tournaments, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) mandates a vertical clearance of 11.88 metres or 39 feet.
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The birdie/shuttlecock
In the game of badminton, the shuttlecock, also commonly referred to as the birdie, is a unique feature that sets it apart from other racquet sports. The shuttlecock is a small, conical object that is hit back and forth across a net by players using their rackets. It consists of a base made of cork that is covered with a rounded leather or synthetic skirt that features 16 feathers attached to it. The feathers create drag and ensure that the shuttlecock slows down quickly after being hit, which is an essential characteristic of the game. The shuttlecock's design gives it a very different flight path compared to balls used in other sports; it is designed to travel in a high arc, which is a key feature of badminton's unique playing style.
The shuttlecock's feathers are an important consideration; they are always sourced from the left wing of a goose or duck, as the feathers on this side have a natural curve that helps the shuttlecock spin and fly straight. Each feather is carefully selected and positioned to ensure the best performance. The skirt of the shuttlecock is made from soft, durable leather or synthetic material, and the cork base gives it a solid but lightweight foundation.
The weight of the shuttlecock is an important factor in its performance and is categorized into different speeds. A faster shuttlecock will be heavier, with more durable feathers, and is often used by advanced players as it requires more skill to control. Slower shuttlecocks are lighter and are often used by beginners or for practice, as they are easier to hit and control. The speed of the shuttlecock is measured in units called "meters per second" or simply "speed." The standard speed for indoor badminton is between 76 and 79 mph (294–306 km/h), with outdoor and recreational play often using slower speeds.
The lifespan of a shuttlecock is relatively short, especially in competitive play, where they can be used for just a few rallies before being replaced. This is because the feathers can become damaged or crushed, affecting the shuttlecock's flight path and performance. In social or recreational games, a shuttlecock can last much longer, often for several games, depending on the quality and how often it hits the floor or walls.
The shuttlecock's unique design and performance characteristics make it an iconic part of badminton. Its construction from natural materials gives it a very different feel and requires players to develop specific skills to master its use. The speed and weight of the shuttlecock also add a layer of complexity to the game, with different speeds suiting different playing styles and levels.
Understanding the role and characteristics of the shuttlecock is essential for badminton players, as it can greatly impact their strategy and technique. The choice of shuttlecock speed and quality can influence the pace and style of play, making it a key consideration for both recreational and competitive players.
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Frequently asked questions
In badminton, an inning refers to the period of play in which one player serves. Each player will retain the serve for an inning as long as they keep winning points.
A badminton game is played as best-of-three games, so there will be at least two innings and potentially three or more per player if the game goes to three games.
In doubles, each pair takes turns serving, with teammates alternating sides as long as they keep winning points. So, there will be the same number of innings as in singles, but with each pair serving for half as long.
An inning in badminton ends when a player loses a point while serving.
