What is Badminton?
Badminton is an indoor sport that has been around since the 16th century. The objective of the game
is to hit the shuttlecock over the net and have it land in the designated court areas.
A rally occurs if your opponent manages to return the shuttlecock.
If you win the rally i.e. force your opponent to hit the shuttlecock out or into the net, then you win a point. You are required to win 21 points to win a set with most matches being the best of 3 sets. Points can be won on either serve.
There are two forms of badminton, singles, and doubles (it’s also possible to play mixed doubles).
Each player is allowed to use a stringed racket (similar to a tennis racket but with the head being
smaller) and a shuttlecock.
The shuttlecock is made up of a half-round ball at the bottom and a feather-like material surrounding the top. You can only really hit the bottom of the shuttlecock and as gravity comes into play it will always revert the ball side facing down.
You may only hit the shuttlecock once before it either hits the ground or goes over the net.
A point is scored when you successfully hit the shuttlecock over the net and land it in your opponent’s court before they hit it. A point can also be gained when your opponent hits the shuttlecock into either the net or outside the parameters.
To win a game you must reach 21 points before your opponent.
If you do so then you will have won that set. If the scores are tied at 20-20 then it comes down to whichever player manages to get two clear points ahead.
If the points are still tied at 29-29 then the next point will decide the winner of the set. Winning the overall game will require you to win 2 out of the 3 sets played.
Rules of Badminton
• A game can take place with either two (singles) or four (doubles) players.
• An official match has to be played indoors on the proper court dimensions. The dimensions
are 6.1m by 13.4m, The net is situated through the middle of the court and is set at 1.55m.
• To score a point, the shuttlecock must hit within the parameters of the opponent’s court.
• If the shuttlecock hits the net or lands out, then a point is awarded to your opponent.
• Players must serve diagonally across the net to their opponent. As points are won, serving
stations move from one side to the other.
There are no second serves, so if your first serve goes out then your opponent wins the point.
• A serve must be hit underarm and below the server’s waist. No overarm serves are allowed.
• Each game will start with a toss to determine which player will serve first and which side of
the court the opponent would like to start from.
• Once the shuttlecock is ‘live’ then a player may move around the court as they wish. They
are permitted to hit the shuttlecock from out of the playing area.
• If a player touches the net with any part of their body or racket then it is deemed a fault and
their opponent receives the point.
• A fault is also called if a player deliberately distracts their opponent, the shuttlecock is
caught in the racket.
Then flung, the shuttlecock is hit twice, or if the player continues to infract with the laws of badminton.
• Each game is umpired by a referee on a high chair who overlooks the game. There are also
line judges who monitor if the shuttlecock lands or not.
The referee has overriding calls on infringements and faults.
• Let may be called by the referee if an unforeseen or accidental circumstance arose.
These may include the shuttlecock getting stuck in the net, a server serving out of turn, one player
was not ready, or a decision that is too close to call.
• The game has only two rest periods coming in the form of a 90-second rest after the first
game and a 5-minute rest period after the second game.
• If the laws are continuously broken by a player then the referee holds the power to dock
that player of points with persisting fouls receiving a forfeit of the set or even the match.
Badminton is a great physical activity that improves fitness, strength, and coordination. Playing it
regularly sharpens reflexes and improves agility.
It can help prevent various health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
If you are interested in playing Badminton for leisure or professionally, then do check out the badminton courts at Playpoint Indoor Sports Centre.