BADMINTON

BADMINTON

HISTORY

Badminton was first known as "Poona" and was first seen in India. English army officers learned the game there and introduced it into England sometime between 1870 and 1880. Little enthusiasm was shown for the sport until the Duke of Beaufort really launched it at his home, "Badminton", at Gloucestershire.

The original Indian rules governed the activity until 1887, when the Bath Badminton Club laid down its basic regulations. These were supplemented and completed by the Badminton Association of England, established in 1895, to form the present rules.

Badminton was brought to Canada in the 1890's and to the United States shortly thereafter. Although it spread widely at first, its popularity soon waned, and the game had few followers until a second wave of popularity, starting in 1929, carried it to its status today.

As a result of its present popularity, the American Badminton Association, which now controls the sport and sanctions all badminton tournaments in the United States, was formed. It is affiliated with the International Badminton Association, which has its headquarters in England. There are approximately 300 badminton clubs in the United States divided into 19 "Class A" associations. The official publication of the organization, "Bird Chatter" is issued quarterly.Tournaments are now held on the state, national, and international level. Badminton is popular in high schools and colleges.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Alley: The 1 1/2 foot wide extension on both sides of the court used in doubles play.Backhand: Any stroke made on the side of the body opposite the racket side.Bird: Another name for the shuttlecock.Block: A stroke whereby the racket is placed in front of the shuttle almost as if trying to catch it. Very little motion is used.Carry: An illegal shot where the shuttle does not rebound immediately off the racket at point of contact.Clear: A high shot (or lob) which falls close to the back line.Cross-court: A shot in which the bird crosses the net in a diagonal direction.Double hit: An illegal shot wherein the shuttle is hit twice in succession on the same stroke.Drive: A hard-driven stroke which just clears the net and does not rise high enough for an opponent to smash.Drop: A shot which barely clears the net and immediately drops sharply.Fault: Any infraction of the rules, either on the serve or after the shuttle has been put in play, the penalty for which is loss of serve or point.Foot fault: Illegal position or movement of the feet by either the server or receiver.Forehand: Any stroke made on the racket side of the body.Game point: The point which, if won, allows the server to win the game.Hands down: refers to the server.No hands down: no one has served1 hands down: 1 player has served, 1 still gets to serve in doubles2 hands down: both players on one side have served, now to side-outLove: The term used to indicate zero in scoring.Match point: The point which, if won by the server, makes that person the winner of the match.

Overhead: A motion used to strike the shuttle when it is above the head. Rally: An exchange of shots either in practice or during a match. Receiver: The player to whom the shuttle is served.Server: The player who puts the bird into play.Shuttlecock: (or Shuttle) The feathered, plastic, or nylon "bird"which is batted back and forth in badminton.Side-out: When the individual (in singles) or team (in doubles) loses serve and becomes the receiver.Smash: The hard overhead stroke hit downward with great velocity and angle. It is the principle attacking stroke in badminton.Throw: An illegal shot in which the shuttle is carried or thrown by the racket.Underhand: A stroke that is hit upward when the shuttle has fallen below shoulder level.

RULES

1. Height of net - 5 feet at center, 5 feet 1 inch at posts.2. Number of playersA. Singles - 2B. Doubles - 43. Points per gameA. 15 points (aces) constitute a game, whether singles or doubles, except women's singles shall consist of 11 points.B. Only the serving side can score.4. Choice of service and courtsA. The winner of the toss (coin or racket) has the choice of serving, receiving, or defending a particular side.B. The loser of the toss has a choice of the remaining options.C. Players change courts at the end of a game and the winner serves first. In doubles, either of the two winners may serve first and either of the two losers may receive first.D. If a third game is necessary to determine the winner of a match, the players shall change courts when the leading score reaches 6 in a game of 11, 8 in a game of 15, or 11 in a game of21 aces.5. Faults or errorsThe following infractions of the rules constitute an out if made by the serving side and a point for the opponents if made by the receiving side.A. If the service is made overhand (at the instant of being struck, the shuttle may not be higher than the server's waist).B. If the service falls out of the court diagonally opposite (long, short, outside, or wrong court) On the line is considered in the court for the bird.C. If the server or receiver steps out of their respective court (on the line is out for a player)before the service is delivered (as soon as the bird is struck by the server's racket).D. If in service or play the shuttle falls outside the designated boundaries, goes through or under the net, fails to pass over the net, touches roof or sidewalls, or the person or dress of any player.E. If in service the server or the partner balks (makes preliminary feints, etc.)F. If the shuttle, in play, is hit before it crosses the net. (It is legal to follow the shuttle over the net with the racket, provided the contactis made on your side of the net.)G. If, during play, a player touches the net or its support with their racket, person, or steps over line.H. If the shuttle is hit twice in succession, either by the same person or players on the same side.I. If the bird is momentarily held on the racket and not distinctly hit.

6. General RulesA. Only the player to whom the serve is directed may take the service. The server shall wait until their opponent is ready. (An attempt to return the service acknowledges readiness).B. In the first half inning of doubles, one out only is allowed to the side beginning a game but in subsequent half innings, each partner is allowed an out.C. After a service is delivered the respective partners may take up any position, provided they do not obstruct the play or vision of their opponents.D. One trial only is allowed on the service unless the bird is missed entirely.E. It is a "let" if a player standing in the wrong court wins a rally and the let is claimed before the next service.F. It is a "let" if a player serves out of turn or from the wrong court and scores an ace provided the let is claimed before the next service.G. A receiver is not permitted to hold their racket near the end to prevent an opponent from smashing. (He/she may hold up his/her racket for protection.)7. Singles vs. Doubles GameThe rules are the same in the singles and the doubles game except:A. In singles, when the server's score is zero or even number, the bird must be served fromand received in the respective player's right-hand half courts: then the player's left-hand court. Both players change courts after each point.B. In doubles, the service always begins in the right hand court, and the server alternates courts on each point made, until they lose the service. The partner then starts service in their court right or left as the case may be, and serves from alternate courts so long as they score points. Partners must also receive in turn.

THE COURT

a. Alleyb. Baselinec. Singles sideline d. Doubles sidelinge. Singles service box f. Doubles service box