BADMINTON

THE GAME 

1. This is a sport not dominated by strength, but more by skill and

finesse.

2. It can be played as singles or doubles.

3. A bird landing on a boundary line is in.

4. Shuttlecock may NOT be hit twice on a side.

5. The racket can follow through over the net, but may NOT touch the

net. You may NOT reach over the net to contact shuttlecock.

SERVING 

1. A point is scored on every serve (rally scoring like volleyball)

2. All serves must be hit from below the waist!

3. The server must stand within the service court – feet still.

4. Serves must travel diagonally across the court and land in the

opponent’s service area.

5. In doubles, one player on a side gets to serve (this is determined by

their team score).

a. EVEN score = serve from right hand court

b. ODD score = serve from left hand court.

6. Rotate courts only if your team serves and wins the point.

7. The player diagonally across from the server MUST return the serve.

8. Doubles service area = short and wide

9. Singles service area = long and narrow.

10. If a player swings and misses while serving, player may reserve

as long as racket does not touch the shuttlecock.

11. A service that hits the top of the net and continues into the

correct service court is a legal serve.

SCORING 

1. Games are played to 21 points (must win by 2) **Cap of 30

2. A match consists of the best of 3 games

 

FAULTS – result in point for serving team or loss of serve

1. Server’s feet are not within the service court at time of serve.

2. Shuttle falls into the wrong service court, short of the service

line, or outside of the boundary lines.

3. Service is returned by the wrong person (doubles)

4. Shuttle passes through or under the net

5. Shuttle hits the ceiling or a player.

6. Receiver moves before the shuttle is struck on the serve.

TYPES OF SERVE 

1. Long serve – The shuttle has high clearance over the net and lands

close to the back service line.

2. Short serve – The shuttle clears close to the net and lands near the

front service line.

STROKES 

1. Underhand clear – similar to a long serve; a high drive that

goes to the back court using an underhand motion

2. Overhead clear – high shot to the back of the court taken

from an overhead position.

3. Smash – powerful overhead shot directed quickly downward

over the net in attempt to terminate play.

4. Drop shot – overhead shot directed slowly down so the

shuttle skims over the net into the opponent’s forecourt.

5. Drive – a fast, hard-driven stroke which just clears the net

and does not rise high enough for opponent to smash.

Horizontal flight pattern.

6. Hairpin – a shot played at or near the top of the net

7. Around the head – shot that is played on the backhand side

at shoulder height; back of hand facing the net.

 

TERMS 

1. Backhand – stroke made on the side of the body opposite the racket

side; back of hand facing the net

2. Forehand – stroke made on the racket side of the body

3. Rally – a heated return of the shuttle several times.

4. Ready position – player is in position with feet shoulder width apart

and both hands up.

5. Shuttlecock (birdie) – the feathered (or plastic) object which is hit

back and forth in badminton.