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Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock (also known as a birdie) across a net. The rules of the modern game were codified in Great Britain, and the sport is governed internationally by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The game is played with either one player per side (singles) or two players per side (doubles), and points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with the racquet and landing it within the other team's half of the rectangular court. The shuttlecock may only be struck once by each side before it passes over the net, and it is not allowed to bounce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | Two single players or two teams of two players each |
| Equipment | Racquet and shuttlecock |
| Court | Rectangular, divided into halves by a net |
| Court dimensions | 13.4m (44 ft) length, 6.1m (20 ft) width for doubles, 5.18m (17 ft) width for singles |
| Service | Must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height |
| Shuttlecock speed test | Hit a full underhand stroke that makes contact with the shuttlecock over the back boundary line at an upward angle parallel to the sidelines; the shuttlecock should land between 530mm and 990mm short of the other back boundary line |
| Scoring | Points are scored by landing the shuttlecock within the other team's half of the court within the set boundaries |
| Faults | If the shuttlecock hits the ceiling or the floor/ground before passing over the net, or if a player touches the net with any part of their body or racquet |
| Officials | Singles matches require six officials: an umpire and four line judges; doubles matches require eight officials, with two additional line judges |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring and serving
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and a shuttlecock, which is hit back and forth 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 court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net.
Badminton serves must be hit underarm and below the server's waist height. The whole of the shuttlecock should be below 1.15 metres from the surface of the court when it is hit, with the racquet shaft pointing downwards. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce. After a point is won, the players move to the opposite serving stations for the next point. The rules do not allow second serves. During a point, a player can return the shuttlecock from inside or outside the court. A player must not touch the net with any part of their body or racquet. A player is also not allowed to hit the shuttlecock twice.
A 'let' may be called by the referee if an unforeseen or accidental issue arises, such as the receiver not being ready when the shuttlecock is served. If the receiver attempts to return the shuttlecock, however, they are judged to have been ready. A fault can be called if the shuttlecock hits the ceiling or goes outside the boundaries of the court. A game must include two rest periods: a 90-second rest after the first game and a 5-minute rest after the second game.
Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with the racquet and landing it within the other team's half of the court, within the set boundaries. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. Play ends once the shuttlecock has struck the floor or ground, or if a fault has been called.
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Equipment specifications
Badminton is a racquet sport played with racquets and shuttlecocks. The specifications for this equipment are outlined by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which governs international badminton.
The racquet is lightweight, weighing between 70 and 95 grams without including the grip or strings. Racquets are made from a variety of materials, with the most popular being carbon fibre composite (graphite-reinforced plastic) due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness. Other materials used include solid steel, aluminium, and other light metals.
The shuttlecock, often called a shuttle or birdie, is a high-drag projectile with an open conical shape. It is made of sixteen overlapping feathers embedded into a rounded cork base, which is covered with thin leather or synthetic material. The synthetic shuttlecocks, used by recreational players, have a nylon base and a plastic skirt. The speed of the shuttlecock can be tested by hitting it with a full underhand stroke, making contact over the back boundary line, at an upward angle parallel to the sidelines. The correct speed will land between 530 mm and 990 mm short of the other back boundary line.
The badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. The full width of the court is 6.1 metres, and this is reduced to 5.18 metres for singles play. The length of the court is 13.4 metres. The service courts are marked by a centre line that divides the width of the court and by a short service line 1.98 metres from the net.
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Court dimensions
The badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net. The standard dimensions of a badminton court are as follows: the full width of the court is 6.1 metres (20 feet), and in singles, this width is reduced to 5.18 metres (17.0 feet). The full length of the court is 13.4 metres (44 feet). The service courts are marked by a centre line dividing the width of the court and by a short service line at a distance of 1.98 metres (6 feet 6 inches) from the net. The doubles court is wider than the singles court, but both have the same length. The exception is that the doubles court has a shorter serve-length dimension, which often confuses newer players.
The court is usually marked for both singles and doubles play, although badminton rules allow for a court to be marked for singles only. The lines marking the width of the court are called the side lines, and the lines marking the length are called the back boundaries or back lines. The service courts are marked by a centre line dividing the width of the court and a short service line at a specified distance from the net.
The net should be 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high at the centre and 1.524 metres (5 feet) high at the posts. The net posts should be 0.76 metres (2 feet 6 inches) outside the court on each side. The top of the net post should be at least 1.55 metres (5 feet 1 inch) high, with the net attached so that the top of the net is no lower than 1.524 metres (5 feet) above the playing surface.
The service courts are marked by a centre line that divides the width of the court. The centre line is used to determine the service court for each player or team. The server must stand in their right service court when serving, and their opponent must stand in their left service court. The service courts are also used to determine the validity of a serve. If a served shuttlecock falls within the boundaries of the receiving player's service court, it is considered a valid serve.
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Faults and lets
Badminton is a unique sport played with a racquet and a shuttlecock. The rules of badminton dictate that a player can lose a point or service due to a fault or a let. A fault is a mistake that results in a loss of a point or service. There are several types of faults in badminton, including contact, double hit, service, service received, and over-the-net faults.
Contact faults occur when the shuttlecock comes into contact with any object or person other than the player's racket. Service faults, on the other hand, occur during the service. For example, if the service is not executed below the waist or with an upward motion, it is considered a fault. Additionally, if a player serves to the wrong side of the court, it is also a fault.
Double-hit faults happen when a player hits the shuttlecock twice in succession or when both teammates make contact with the shuttlecock simultaneously. This is considered illegal in badminton and will result in a point for the opponent.
Over-the-net faults occur when a player fails to get the shuttlecock over the net during their serve or return. It is important to note that no part of the body or racket should touch the net during a match, as this will result in a fault and the opponent being awarded the point.
Lastly, delays during service can also result in a fault. If players cause undue delay during the delivery of the service, the umpire may issue a warning before calling a fault.
While not all situations involving the shuttlecock touching the net result in a fault, it is considered a fault if the shuttlecock gets stuck in the net during the service. If it gets stuck after the service, it is considered a let.
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Officials and umpires
Badminton is played either by two single players or two teams of two players each. The game is played with rackets and a shuttlecock on a rectangular court divided by a net.
The umpire has the authority over a particular match and is in charge of the court and its immediate surroundings. They ensure compliance with the Laws of Badminton and relevant regulations, making calls on service and player faults and keeping the match score. Umpires also record and report any misconduct to the referee. Their authority spans from the players' entrance to their departure from the court.
Umpires are typically trained and gain experience within their national badminton federations. Talented individuals may advance to the continental level and, ultimately, the BWF level. The BWF provides manuals to support umpires' development.
While the umpire focuses on the specific match at hand, referees hold a broader scope of responsibilities. They oversee the entire tournament, managing multiple umpires and ensuring its smooth operation. Referees are the final authority on disputes, interpreting the rules and guiding umpires.
Line judges are integral to the officiating team, making accurate calls on shuttlecock landings to determine the outcome of rallies and the match.
Together, these officials and umpires uphold the integrity of badminton matches, fostering fair competition and contributing to the sport's excitement and appeal. Their dedication and expertise facilitate the seamless conduct of badminton tournaments, from local competitions to international championships.
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Frequently asked questions
Badminton can be played by two single players, or two teams of two players each.
Badminton is played with racquets and a shuttlecock, also called a birdie. The shuttlecock is a high-drag projectile with an open conical shape. The cone is made from sixteen overlapping feathers embedded into a rounded cork base.
The game is played on a rectangular court, divided into halves by a net. Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with the racquet and landing it within the other team's half of the court, within the set boundaries. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. The shuttlecock is not allowed to bounce.
