Andrew Pace
Badminton is believed to have originated in Pune, India, where it was known as Poona and played by British army officers in the 1860s. The rules of the game have evolved over time, with the first set of rules being drawn up in Pune in 1873. J. H. E. Hart of the Bath Badminton Club made revisions to the rules in 1887, and further changes were made in collaboration with Bagnel Wild in 1890. The Badminton Association of England (BAE) formed in 1893, playing a significant role in standardizing the rules and regulations of badminton. Today, the rules of badminton are governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which has overseen international competitions and maintained consistency in the rules since 2006.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original rules formed | 1873 in Pune, India |
| First badminton club | Bath Badminton Club, 1877 |
| First rules introduced by | J.H.E. Hart of the Bath Badminton Club |
| First rules introduced | 1887 |
| First rules published | 1893 by the Badminton Association of England (BAE) |
| Current rules made by | Badminton World Federation (BWF) |
| Number of member nations | 198 |
| Scoring system | Rally point system |
| Number of games | Best of 21 |
| Serve | One serve per side |
| Service height | Fixed height |
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What You'll Learn
The sport's roots and early rules
The roots of badminton can be traced back to the ancient game "Battledore and Shuttlecock", which was played in ancient Greece, China, and India. The game was first played in India by British expatriates in the 1860s and was known as "Poona" or "Poonah", after the garrison town of Poona (now Pune). It was particularly popular in Pune, where the first rules of the game were drawn up around 1872-1873. By the 1870s, the game had become very popular, and officers returning home started a badminton club in Folkestone by 1875.
The sport was initially played with sides ranging from one to four players, but it was quickly established that games between two or four competitors worked best. The court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net, with the doubles court being wider than the singles court, but both are of the same length. The shuttlecocks were made of cork and goose feathers, weighing about 0.17 ounces (5 grams), and were coated with Indian rubber and sometimes weighted with lead for outdoor play.
In 1877, the Bath Badminton Club was established in Bath, England, and introduced new rules to the game. However, the game was still played under the Pune rules until 1887 when J.H.E. Hart of the Bath Badminton Club drew up revised regulations. In 1890, Hart and Bagnel Wild again revised the rules, which were published by the Badminton Association of England (BAE) in 1893. These rules included a side-out scoring system, where only the servers could score points, and a best-of-15 three-game format.
The formation of the BAE marked a significant step in standardizing the rules and regulations of badminton. The BAE officially launched the sport at Dunbar House in Portsmouth on September 13, 1893. The BAE started the first badminton competition, the All England Open Badminton Championships, in 1899, which was considered the world's first badminton tournament. These developments laid the foundation for badminton's global expansion.
Today, the rules of badminton are made by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the internationally recognized governing body of the sport, consisting of about 198 countries. The BWF has been making the rules since 2006, and the current rules were last updated in 2021. The 2021 updated version of the rules covers everything from court dimensions to the rules of play, equipment specifications, and technical officials.
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The role of standardisation
Standardisation plays a crucial role in badminton, transforming it from a recreational pastime into a legitimate sport. The process of standardisation ensures that badminton has a consistent set of rules, equipment specifications, and court dimensions, enabling fair competition and worldwide expansion.
The roots of badminton can be traced back to the ancient game ""Battledore and Shuttlecock", played in ancient Greece, China, and India. In the 1860s, British officers stationed in Pune, India, adopted a similar game called "Poona" or "Poonah", which later became known as badminton. The first rules for this precursor to badminton were drawn up in Pune in 1873. However, the game continued to evolve, and standardisation of the rules became necessary as badminton gained popularity.
The formation of the Bath Badminton Club in 1877 in England introduced new rules to the game. This marked the beginning of a standardised rule set that could be followed across different playing locations. J.H.E. Hart of the Bath Badminton Club played a significant role in revising the regulations in 1887, further contributing to the standardisation process.
The establishment of the Badminton Association of England (BAE) in 1893 was a pivotal moment in the standardisation of badminton rules and regulations. The BAE published the rules and officially launched the sport, providing a consistent framework for players across England. This standardisation at the national level laid the groundwork for the expansion of badminton beyond its country of origin.
Today, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) serves as the internationally recognised governing body for badminton, consisting of approximately 198 member countries. The BWF has been responsible for making and implementing the rules since 2006, ensuring uniformity and fairness in the sport worldwide. The standardisation of rules by the BWF has allowed for the development of international competitions, with the first world championships taking place in 1977.
Standardisation in badminton encompasses not only the rules of the game but also the equipment used. The BWF sets specifications for racquets and shuttlecocks, ensuring uniformity and fairness. The standardisation of equipment ensures that players worldwide have access to the same quality and type of equipment, promoting equal opportunities for all participants.
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The global governing body
The BWF governs international badminton and oversees international competitions, ensuring that all games follow the Laws of Badminton. The Laws of Badminton cover everything from the dimensions of the court to the rules of play, and technical officials and equipment. The current scoring system of badminton was officially adopted by the BWF in 2006, 133 years after the original scoring system was made in 1873. The 2006 scoring system replaced the side-out scoring system, which only allowed the servers to score points. The side-out scoring system was replaced by the rally-point system, which allows both players, regardless of who served, to score during a rally.
The BWF rules include the three-game best-of-21 system, a rally-point scoring system where each side is only able to serve once, and a fixed height service standard. These rules are a far cry from the 1890 rules, which included a best-of-15 three-game format and a "second serve" after the starting team lost the service to the opposing team. The 1890 rules also had "waist" as the basis of the service height, whereas the current rules have a maximum service height restriction that was introduced in 2018.
The formation of the Badminton Association of England (BAE) in 1893 marked a significant step in standardising the rules and regulations of the sport. The BAE published the rules of badminton in 1893 and officially launched the sport at Dunbar House in Portsmouth on 13 September 1893. The BAE also started the first badminton competition, the All England Open Badminton Championships for gentlemen's doubles, ladies' doubles, and mixed doubles, in 1899.
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Scoring systems and formats
Badminton has had various rules and scoring systems over the years, with the first rules of the game being drawn up in Pune, India, in 1873. The rules have been changed and updated several times since then, with the most recent update being in 2021 by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The BWF is the internationally recognized governing body of badminton and has been making the rules since 2006.
The current scoring system of badminton, the rally point system, was officially adopted by the BWF in 2006, replacing the side-out scoring system that had been in place since the sport's inception in 1873. The rally point system allows both players, regardless of who served, to score points during a rally. This is in contrast to the side-out system, where only the server could score points, and the receiver had to become the server before they could score any points.
The current rules of badminton include the three-game best-of-21 system, a rally-point scoring system where each side only serves once, and a fixed height service standard. This is a significant change from the 1890 rules, which included a side-out scoring system, a best-of-15 three-game format, and a "waist" service height.
The BWF rules also specify that a badminton match begins with a serve and that a player cannot serve or start the game until their opponent is ready. During the serve, the player's feet should not go beyond the boundary lines. The player is also not allowed to distract or obstruct their opponent in any way during the match. If a player misses the shuttlecock, they cannot retry without incurring a fault. Additionally, a player is not allowed to hold the shuttlecock on the racket bed for too long or hit it over the net before it enters their opponent's court.
The court dimensions and markings are also specified in the BWF rules. The court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net that is 5 feet (1.5 meters) high. The full width of the court is 6.1 meters (20 feet), and the length is 13.4 meters (44 feet). The service courts are marked by a centre line and short service lines, with the doubles court having a long service line as well.
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Rules for equipment and court
The rules of badminton have evolved since the sport was first played in the 1860s by British army officers stationed in India. The game derived its name from the location it was first played in England—the Badminton estate in Gloucestershire. The first badminton club, the Bath Badminton Club, was formed in 1877 or 1887 and introduced new rules to the game. The rules and regulations were further formalised in 1893 by the Badminton Association of England (BAE). The BAE launched the sport at Dunbar House in Portsmouth on 13 September 1893 or 1983.
Today, the rules are set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the internationally recognised governing body for the sport. The rules were last updated in 2021 and cover everything from court dimensions to equipment.
Rules for equipment
Badminton rackets are lightweight, weighing between 70 and 95 grams (not including grip or strings). They are composed of various materials, including carbon fibre composite (graphite reinforced plastic) and solid steel. The rules restrict the design and size of rackets and shuttlecocks. Shuttlecocks, also known as a "bird" or "birdie", are typically made from small cork hemispheres pierced by 16 goose feathers and weigh about 5 grams. Synthetic shuttlecocks are also permitted.
Rules for the court
The badminton court is rectangular and divided into halves by a net that is 5 feet (1.5 metres) high. The full width of the court is 6.1 metres (20 feet), and in singles, this width is reduced to 5.18 metres (17 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, by a short service line at a distance of 1.98 metres (6 feet 6 inches) from the net, and by the outer side and back boundaries. In doubles, the service court is also marked by a long service line, which is 0.76 metres (2 feet 6 inches) from the back boundary. A clear space of 4 feet (1.3 metres) is required around the court.
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Frequently asked questions
The rules of badminton were first drawn up in Pune, India, in 1873. The game was played by British army officers stationed in India and was known as 'Poona'.
The 1873 rulebook included a side-out scoring system, where only the servers could score points. This rule remained in place until 2005 when it was replaced by the rally point system, which allowed both players to score during a rally.
J.H.E. Hart of the Bath Badminton Club introduced the first rule changes in 1887. Further revisions were made in 1890 by Hart and Bagnel Wild.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the internationally recognised governing body of badminton and has been making the rules since 2006.
