Kristian Ferrell
Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock—a cone-shaped projectile made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base—across a net. The aim of the game is to score points by striking the shuttlecock with the racquet and landing it within the boundaries of the opposing side's court half. The first side to reach 21 points wins a game, with a margin of two clear points required to win if the opposing team has scored 20 or more points.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 (singles) or 4 (doubles) |
| Objective | Be the first side to reach 21 points |
| Scoring | A point is scored on every serve and awarded to the side that wins the rally |
| Serve | The side that wins a point gets the next serve |
| Winning a game | A game is won when a side reaches 21 points, or 30 points if the game is tied at 29-29 |
| Winning a set | A set is typically the best of three games |
| Court change | Ends are changed at the conclusion of the first game, and after the second game if there is a third game |
| Court dimensions | Singles court: 13.41m (44ft) long x 5.18m (17ft) wide; Doubles court: 13.41m (44ft) long x 6.1m (20ft) wide |
| Net height | 1.55m (5ft 1in) at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) in the middle |
| Service lines | The short service line is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net; the doubles service line is 0.76m (2.5ft) in from the baseline |
| Equipment | A shuttlecock (or "birdie") and racquets |
| Shuttlecock dimensions | 62-70mm long, weighing 4.74-5.5g, with a base diameter of 25-28mm |
| Shuttlecock materials | Feathers or synthetic material (for the exterior), cork or rubber (for the base) |
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What You'll Learn
Scoring a point
The aim of badminton is to be the first player or team to reach 21 points. In this racquet sport, players hit a shuttlecock—a cone-shaped projectile made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base—back and forth across a net, aiming to land it within the boundaries of their opponent's half of the court.
To score a point in badminton, you must win a rally. A rally refers to the back-and-forth hitting of the shuttlecock, or "birdie," between opponents. A point is scored on every serve, and the winning side gets the next serve. In doubles, teammates alternate serving as long as they keep winning points. If the receiving side wins a point, they get to serve next.
In singles, a badminton court measures 13.41m long by 5.18m wide, and the net is 1.55m high at the ends and 1.52m high in the middle. For doubles, the court width extends to 6.1m. The shuttlecock must pass over the net and land inside the boundaries of the opposing side's court for a point to be scored. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net.
Play ends when the shuttlecock touches the floor or ground, or if a fault is called by the umpire, service judge, or the opposing side if no umpire is present. A fault can occur if the shuttlecock does not pass over the net or land inside the boundaries of the opposing side's court. In addition, players must serve the shuttlecock so that it passes the short service line, which is 1.98m from the net. There is also a doubles service line that is 0.76m in from the baseline.
If the game reaches a score of 20-20, a side must win by two clear points. If the score reaches 29-29, the first side to score their 30th point wins. In the best-of-three-games format, players change ends at the conclusion of the first game and, if necessary, at the end of the second game. In the third game, they change ends when one side reaches 11 points.
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Serving
The aim of badminton is to be the first player or team to reach 21 points. A point is scored on every serve, and it is awarded to the side that wins the rally.
Basics of Serving
In badminton, a player must serve the shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, at the start of every rally. The direction of the serve depends on the score. If you or your team has an even number of points, you serve from the right service court, hitting the shuttlecock towards the left. Conversely, if you have an odd number of points, you serve from the left service court. The serve is only considered "in" if it lands in the diagonally opposite side of the court. It is important to note that in doubles, the server starts on the right-hand side and keeps serving, alternating sides with their partner as long as they keep winning points.
Footwork and Stance
Badminton rules dictate that during the serve, you must keep at least some part of both feet on the ground. While your back left foot will naturally lift as you swing the racket, ensure that your toes remain in contact with the ground. Avoid dragging your foot along the ground during the serve, although pivoting is allowed.
Techniques for Different Types of Serves
Most serves in badminton involve pushing the shuttlecock gently rather than hitting it with excessive force. One common technique is the forehand low serve, where you bend your wrist back and push gently to make the shuttlecock just clear the net. This type of serve limits your opponent's swing, increasing your chances of scoring a point. While the low serve is the most common, it's important to vary your serves to keep your opponent guessing. For instance, you can also try a forehand high serve, where you swing the racket in a wide arc to hit the shuttlecock higher and deeper into your opponent's court. Another tactic is to mix up your serves by starting with a high serve that lands at the back of the court, followed by a low hit that stays close to the net.
Mastering the art of serving in badminton requires practice and a good understanding of the rules. By combining different types of serves with strategic placement, you can gain an advantage over your opponent and improve your chances of winning the rally and ultimately, the game.
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Court dimensions
The aim of badminton is to be the first side to reach 21 points. Points are scored by hitting the shuttlecock, or 'birdie', with a racquet and landing it within the boundaries of the opposing side's court half. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes back over the net.
Badminton is played on a rectangular court, with different dimensions depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played. In singles, the court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. For doubles, the width is extended to 6.1m (20ft). The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high in the middle, where it dips down.
The shuttlecock must pass the short service line, which is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net. There is also a line running down the middle of the court, splitting the left and right service courts. For doubles, there is an additional service line 0.76m (2.5ft) in from the baseline, known as the doubles service line.
The depth of the net is not of great importance, but it is preferred to be flush with the ground.
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Equipment
The aim of badminton is to be the first side to reach 21 points; points are scored by successfully hitting the shuttlecock, or birdie, into your opponent's half of the court. Now, let's take a closer look at the equipment used in badminton.
Rackets
Badminton is a racket sport, and the rackets are a key piece of equipment. Modern badminton rackets are typically made from lightweight materials such as carbon fibre or aluminium alloys, with synthetic grips. The strings of the racket are also synthetic, usually made from nylon or a similar material.
Shuttlecock/Birdie
The shuttlecock, also known as the birdie, is what sets badminton apart from other racket sports. The shuttlecock is a cone-shaped projectile, formed from feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The feathers create higher drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate rapidly. The shuttlecock's unique shape means it will always fly cork-first once struck until it is hit again. For a regulation shuttlecock, 16 feathers are used, and it weighs between 4.74 and 5.5g, with a length of 62-70mm.
Net
The net is another essential piece of equipment for badminton. The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high in the middle, where it dips. The depth of the net is not crucial, but it is preferred to be flush with the ground.
Court
The badminton court is rectangular and measures 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide for singles matches. For doubles matches, the width is extended to 6.1m (20ft). There are various lines on the court that dictate service areas and boundaries for scoring points.
Other Equipment
Other equipment used in badminton includes appropriate footwear, which is usually indoor sports shoes, and sports clothing. Additionally, for outdoor games, weights may be used to hold down the net, and in windy or wet conditions, a woollen ball may be used instead of a shuttlecock.
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History
The game of badminton has a long history, with its roots lying in the ancient game of battledore and shuttlecock, which was played in ancient Greece, China, and India. The modern version of the game, however, is believed to have been invented in the mid-19th century by British military officers stationed in British India. Originally called "battledore", the game involved players using a racket to hit a shuttlecock back and forth without letting it touch the ground. This simple rally competition was brought to England by retired officers and played at the Duke of Beaufort's estate in Gloucestershire, where it was renamed "badminton".
In India, the game was first known as "Poona" or "Poonah", after the garrison town of Poona (now Pune), where it was particularly popular. The first rules for the game were drawn up in Poona in 1873, and by 1875, officers returning to England had started a badminton club in Folkestone. The sport quickly gained popularity, and in 1877, the Bath Badminton Club was established in England, introducing new rules to the game.
As the game evolved, the equipment also underwent changes. The first badminton rackets were made of a single piece of wood with animal gut strings, and the shuttlecocks were made from unrefined bird feathers. Over time, the feathers became standardised, with geese feathers used for international play and duck feathers for club play. Players also began using lighter rackets made of aluminium or steel, and in the 1950s, carbon fibre revolutionised racket construction.
The formation of the Badminton Association of England (BAE) in 1893 further standardised the rules and regulations of the sport. The first All England Open Badminton Championships, considered the world's first badminton tournament, were held in 1899, laying the foundation for badminton's global expansion. The International Badminton Federation (now the Badminton World Federation or BWF) was formed in 1934 as the sport's governing body, and badminton made its debut as a Summer Olympic sport in 1992.
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Frequently asked questions
The aim of badminton is to be the first player or team to reach 21 points. A point is scored when a player or team strikes a shuttlecock with their racquet and lands it within the boundaries of the opposing side's court half.
A point is scored when a player or team wins a rally, which involves striking the shuttlecock with a racquet and landing it within the boundaries of the opposing side's court half.
A shuttlecock, also known as a birdie, is badminton's unique "ball". It is a cone-shaped projectile made of feathers or synthetic material attached to a cork or rubber base. The feathers create higher drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate rapidly.
Badminton can be played with a larger number of players, but the most common forms are singles (one player per side) and doubles (two players per side).
In singles, a badminton court is 13.41m (44ft) long and 5.18m (17ft) wide. For doubles, the width extends to 6.1m (20ft). The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m (5ft) high in the middle.
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