Rules of Badminton

Knowing the Rules of Badminton is important if you really want to advance in Badminton and enjoy this game. In the event that a dispute occurs during a match, you'll be able to settle it.

For instance, your opponent may gain an unfair advantage on you by breaking if you are not familiar with the Rules of Badminton, how will you catch him? So make a point that you understand the Basic Badminton Rules before stepping into the Badminton Court next time.

Toss the rules of badminton states that a toss shall be conducted before a game starts. If you win, you can choose between serving first or to start play at either end of the court. Your opponent can then exercise the remaining choice.

Scoring system the rules of badminton states that a badminton match shall consist of the best of 3 games. In doubles and men's singles, the first side to score 15 points wins the game. In women's singles, the first side to score 11 points wins the game.

If the score becomes 14-all (10-all in women's singles), the side which first scored 14 (10) shall exercise the choice to continue the game to 15 (11) points or to 'set' the game to 17 (13) points. The side winning a game serves first in the next game. Only the serving side can add a point to its score. Recently BWF have been testing a new scoring format of 21 points per game on all major Badminton competition and decided to replace the old format permanently.

Change of ends the rules of badminton states that you have to change ends with your opponent after finishing the first game. If a third game was to be played, you shall change ends when the leading score reaches 6 in a game of 11 points or 8 in a game of 15 points.

Rules of Badminton - Singles

Serving and receiving courts

You shall serve from, and receive in, the right service court when you or your opponent has scored an even number of

points in that game.

You shall serve from, and receive in, the left service court when you or your opponent has scored an odd number of

points in that game.

You and your opponent will hit the shuttle alternately until a 'fault' is made or the shuttle ceases to be in play.

Scoring and serving

You score a point and serve again from the alternate service court when your opponent makes a 'fault' or the shuttle ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of your opponent's side of court. No points will be scored when you make a 'fault' or the shuttles ceases to be in play because it touches the surface of your side of court. The serving right will then be transferred to your opponent.

Rules of Badminton – Doubles

At the start of the game, and each time a side gains the right to serve, the service shall be delivered from the right

service court. Only your opponent standing diagonally opposite of you shall return the service. Should your opponent's partner touched or hit the shuttle, it shall be a 'fault' and your side scores a point.

Order of play and position on court

After the service is returned, either you or your partner may hit the shuttle from any position on your side of the net.

Then either player from the opposing side may do the same, and so on, until the shuttle ceases to be in play.

Scoring and serving

If you are serving or receiving first at the start of any game, you shall serve or receive in the right service court when

your side or your opponent's side scored an even number of points.

You shall serve from or receive in the left service court when your side or your opponent's side has scored an odd

number of points.

The reverse pattern shall apply to your partner.

In any game, the right to serve passes consecutively from the initial server to the initial receiver, then to that initial's

receiver's partner, then to the opponent who is due to serve from the right service court, then to that player's

partner, and so on.

You shall not serve out of turn, receive out of turn, or receive two consecutive services in the same game, except as

provided in service court errors and 'lets'.

Service court errors

A service court error has been made when a player has served out of turn, has served from the wrong service or

standing on the wrong service court while being prepared to receive the service and it has been delivered.

If a service court error is discovered after the next service had been delivered, the error shall not be corrected. If a

service court error is discovered before the next service is delivered, the following rules apply.

If both sides committed an error, it shall be a 'let'. If one side committed the error and won the rally, it shall be a 'let'.

If one side committed the error and lost the rally, the error shall not be corrected.

If there is a 'let' because of a service court error, the rally is replayed with the error corrected. If a service court error

is not to be corrected, play in that game shall proceed without changing the player's new service courts.

Faults The rules of badminton consider the following as faults:

- If the shuttle lands outside the boundaries of the court, passes through or under the net, fail to pass the net, touches the ceiling or side walls, touches the person or dress of a player or touches any other object or person.

- If the initial point of contact with the shuttle is not on the striker's side of the net. (The striker may, however, follow the shuttle over the net with the racket in the course of a stroke.)

- If a player touches the net or its supports with racket, person or dress, invades an opponent's court over the net

with racket or person except as permitted.

- If a player invades an opponent's court under the net with racket or person such that an opponent is obstructed or

distracted or obstructs an opponent, that is prevents an opponent from making a legal stroke where the shuttle is

followed over the net.

- If a player deliberately distracts an opponent by any action such as shouting or making gestures.

- If the shuttle is caught and held on the racket and then slung during the execution of a stroke.

- If the shuttle is hit twice in succession by the same player with two strokes.

- If the shuttle is hit by a player and the player's partner successively or touches a player's racket and continues

towards the back of that player's court.

- If a player is guilty of flagrant, repeated or persistent offences under Law of Continuous Play, Misconduct, Penalties.

- If, on service, the shuttle is caught on the net and remains suspended on top, or, on service, after passing over the

net is caught in the net.

Let’s 'Let' is called by the umpire, or by a player (if there is no umpire), to halt play.

A 'let' may be given for any unforeseen or accidental occurrence. The rules of badminton consider the following as 'lets':

- If a shuttle is caught in the net and remains suspended on top or, after passing over the net, is caught in the net, it

shall be a 'let' except on service.

- If, during service, the receiver and server are both faulted at the same time, it shall be a 'let'.

- If the server serves before the receiver is ready, it shall be a 'let'.

- If, during play, the shuttle disintegrates and the base completely separates from the rest of the shuttle, is shall be a

'let'.

- If a line judge is unsighted and the umpire is unable to make a decision, it shall be a 'let'.

- A 'let' may occur following a service court error. When a 'let' occurs, the play since the last service shall not count

and the player who served shall serve again, except where in situations where the Law of Service Court Errors is

applicable.

Shuttle not in play

A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net and remains attached there or suspended on top.

A shuttle is not in play when it strikes the net or post and starts to fall towards the surface of the court on the striker's

side of the net.

A shuttle is not in play when it hits the surface of the court or a 'fault' or 'let' has occurred.

Continuous play, misconduct, penalties

Play shall be continuous from the first service until the match is concluded, except as allowed in intervals not exceeding 90 seconds between the first and second games, and not exceeding 5 minutes between the second and third games.

Officials and appeals

The referee is in overall charge of the tournament. The umpire, where appointed, is in charge of the match, the court

and its immediate surrounds. The umpire shall report to the referee. The service judge shall call service faults made

by the server should they occur. A line judge shall indicate whether a shuttle landed 'in' or 'out' on the line or lines

assigned. An official's decision is final on all points of fact for which that official is responsible.

An umpire shall:

- Upload and enforce the Rules of Badminton and, especially, call a 'fault' or 'let' should either occur.

- Give a decision on any appeal regarding a point of dispute, if made before the next service is delivered.

- Ensure players and spectators are kept informed of the progress of the match.

- Appoint or remove line judges or a service judge in consultation with the referee.

- Where another court official is not appointed, arrange for that official's duties to be carried out.

- Where an appointed official is unsighted, carry out the official's duties or play a 'let'.

- Record and report to the referee all matters in relation to continuous play, misconduct and penalties.

- Take to the referee all unsatisfied appeals on questions of law only. (Such appeals must be made before the next

service is delivered, or, if at the end of the game, before the side that appeals has left the court.)

Badminton 21 Points The Badminton 21 points scoring system started in the Thomas / Uber Cup 2006. I personally think that it has added extra spice and excitement to the game. What do you think?

Anyway, BWF have already decided to adopt this system permanently. So you might as well just follow the trend.

For those of you who want to try this New Badminton 21 Points Scoring System can follow these rules taken from

BWF Press Release.

For Singles matches, the rules are

-A match consists of best of 3 games.

-The side that first scored 21 points shall win.

-The side winning a rally shall add 1 point to its score.

-If a score becomes 20-20, the side which scores 2 consecutive points shall win that game.

-If the score becomes 29-29, the side that scores the 30th point shall win that game.

-The side winning a game serves first in the next game.

-When one side reaches 11 points, both players get a 60 second break.

-Both sides get a 2-minute break between first and second games, and another 2-minute break between second and

third game.

-Other rules shall remain the same.

For Doubles matches, the rules are:

-One service only.

-Back service line remains and the current rule applies.

-The chart below explains the 3x21 rally point scoring system for doubles matches.

In a Doubles match between A&B against C&D. A&B win the toss and decide to serve. A will serve to C. A shall be the

initial server while C shall be the initial receiver.

Course of Action/ Explanation Score . . Service from Service Court

Server & Receiver Winner of the Rally

. Love All C D Right service court. Being the score of the serving side is even.

A serves to C. A and C are the initial

server and receiver.

A & B

B A

A & B win a point. A & B will change service courts. A serves

again from Left service court. C & D will stay in the same service

courts.

1-0 C D Left service court. Being the score of the serving

side is odd.

A serves to D C & D

A B

C & D win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their

respective service courts.

1-1 C D Left service court. Being the score of the serving

side is odd.

D serves to A A & B

A B

A & B win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their

respective service courts.

2-1 C D Right service court. Being the score of the serving side is even.

B serves to C C & D

A B

C & D win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their

respective service courts.

2-2 C D Right service court. Being the score of the serving side is even.

C serves to B C & D

A B

C & D win a point. C & D will change service courts. C serves from Left service court. A & B will stay in the same service courts.

3-2 D C Left service court. Being the score of the serving

side is odd.

C serves to A A & B

A B

A & B win a point and also right to serve. Nobody will change their

respective service courts.

3-3 D C Left service court. Being the score of the serving

side is odd.

A serves to C A & B

A B

A & B win a point. A & B will change service courts. A serves

again from Right service court. C & D will stay in the same service

courts.

4-3 D C Right service court. Being the score of the serving side is even.

A serves to D C & D

B A

Enjoy playing using this new Badminton 21 points scoring system

Badminton Court

The Badminton Court Diagram above fully illustrates the standard Badminton Court Layout.

The Badminton Court shall be a rectangle laid out with lines of 40mm wide, preferably in white or yellow color. The

Badminton Court Dimensions are of 13.4m in length and 6.1m in width.

The post shall be 1.55m in height from the surface of the court and shall remain vertical when the net is strained.

The net shall be made of fine cord of dark color and even thickness with a mesh of not less than 15mm and not more

than 20mm. The net shall be 760mm in depth and at least 6.1m wide.

The top of the net shall be edged with a 75mm white cloth. The top of the net from the surface of the court shall be

1.524m (5ft) at the center of the court and 1.55m (5ft 1in) over the side lines for doubles. There shall be no gaps

between the ends of the net and the posts. If necessary, the full depth of the net should be tied at the ends.

The recommended surface for a badminton court is wood and bituminous material. Avoid concrete or carpet as

playing on it will easily injure you.

Badminton Basics

This Badminton Basics page is designed for you to understand badminton and start enjoying it. As a beginner, you may feel overwhelmed by the loads of information on this sport.

Well...I felt the same when I first started playing badminton. I tried really hard to learn as much as I could about badminton but it actually slowed down my progress. I guess that is what you call - Information Overload...

I wouldn't want the same to happen to you. In any case, you should enjoy playing this game first while improving gradually. Hence I listed down a few things that I think is important for you as a beginner. So these are the things that in my view, forms the basics that you ought to know before playing your next game.

How to Play Badminton Want to know How to Play Badminton? Then you've come to the right place! It is fun to play Badminton and not hard to learn. Let me show you.

What is the game all about?

The objective of the game is simple, that is to hit the shuttle over the net so that it lands in your opponent's court before it can be returned. You can hit the shuttle fast, slow, high, flat or low. You can smash it with maximum power or use the most delicate touch shots.

A rally is started when the shuttle is returned. Each rally begins with a stroke known as the serve. This gets the shuttle into play, and from then on you will be engaged in a battle to outwit your opponent by using strokes which aim to increase your chances of winning that rally.

You can win the rally when:

- You hit the shuttle on to the ground in your opponent's court. - Your opponent makes a mistake and hits the shuttle out of court. - Your opponent has committed a fault according to Badminton Rules.

Like tennis, Badminton can be played in singles or doubles. The diagram below identifies the playing area for each of those.

You shall always start to serve on the right and the player who reaches 21 points shall win the game.

Getting Started Before you spend any money on the Badminton Equipment, you should get the feel of the game by trying it out. You can try borrowing a racket and a shuttle from a friend or to hire it from sports centers. Wear suitable training shoes and comfortable clothing which allows you to move and stretch with ease. There are two sides to the racket head, the forehand face and the backhand face. You can hit the shuttle with either of them. Learn how to use the forehand and backhand grips first before you start. Now, try a few simple strokes with the shuttle before going on court to play a game. Use the forehand grip and practice hitting the shuttle upwards with the forehand face of the racket. Change to the backhand grip and do the same, using the backhand face of the racket. First try hitting the shuttle high into the air, then hit it more gently so that it stay closer to the racket. Next, hold the shuttle by its feathers with the fingers of your non-racket hand. Using an underarm action, hit it forward over an imaginary net. This is the action you will use when you serve. Practice this action both on your forehand and backhand. In this early practice you should hit the shuttle with a flat racket face. Later on there will be times when you slice across the base of the shuttle with an angled racket face. After a little practice, you will be able to hit the shuttle in different directions and to various distances. You can now begin to play badminton with your friends.

Badminton Safety Concern Badminton Safety is not too much a concern if you take reasonable care. Badminton is not a contact sport and therefore is a relatively safe game and the risk of getting injuries is not high.

Here are two articles on the Common Badminton Injuries and Badminton Injury Prevention Activities. Warming up before play is important and will reduce the chances of muscle and joint injuries. You can start with general warm up like stretching and jogging. Then spend some time on specific warm up like playing gentle shots for the first 2 -3 minutes with another player. Gradually upping the pace and tempo. On average, players need about 15 minutes to warm up themselves. I would suggest that you do that too. Cooling down after play is important in preventing injuries. Avoid lying down straight after play. You can walk around or just do a few simple stretching exercises to cool down and relax your body. Take extra care in cold halls where keeping warm between games is important. Put on a tracksuit or an extra layer of clothing to gradually cool down your body after a game. Avoid slippery floors if possible. Check if the shoes you are using are suitable for Badminton or not. If your badminton shoes are not giving the grip as it supposed to give, consider getting a new one. The soles of your shoes have probably worn off. In strenuous play, you may get blisters on your feet or hands, so it is worth carrying some plasters in your sports bag. Intense physical exercise of any type, particularly in hot conditions, can lead to dehydration. Badminton is no exception. To prevent this, take small quantities of water or isotonic sports drinks both before play and at intervals during play. Eye injuries do not happen often, but you must be prepared for the possibility. If it happens, it happens in doubles play most of the time. Keep your racket head up so that you can intercept any shuttle which is coming towards your face. If you are taking the front position, do not turn around to see what shot your partner is going to hit. It is better to get a shuttle in the neck than in the eye! I have a friend who once played doubles in which he smashed his racket on to his partner's head. Tough luck and a lack of badminton safety awareness I guess. These accidents can happen if you both go for the shuttle together. Communicating to your partner is important. Avoid running into anyone when you are practicing. If the shuttle is hit on to another court where play is in progress, wait for the play to stop before retrieving it.

When leaving your court, remember not to cross too close behind any other court where play is in progress. You wouldn't want to injure yourself in this fashion. Badminton Safety will not be much of an issue if you take reasonable care towards yourself and other players around you.

Facts about Badminton Here are some Facts about Badminton that you may not know yet and may find it interesting.

- The official game of Badminton was born in a stately home in Gloucestershire, England, home of the Duke of Beaufort. - Badminton is the Fastest Racket Sport with shuttle clocking speed in excess of 200 mph. - The best shuttlecocks are made from the feathers from the left wing of a goose. - The International Badminton Federation (IBF) was founded in 1934 with nine members and now has over 150 members. - The IBF is now headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. - Badminton was introduced into USA in the 1890s and became popular in the 1930s. - Badminton is the second most popular sport in the world, after soccer. - Badminton is an Olympic Sport played first in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. - More than 1.1 billion people watched the 1992 Olympic Badminton competition on television. - Only 3 countries have won the Thomas Cup since its inception in 1948: Malaysia, Indonesia and China. - Only 4 countries have won the Uber Cup since its inception in 1956: USA, Japan, China and Indonesia.

Badminton Terms These are the common Badminton Terms used in Badminton.

Attacking clear: An offensive stroke hit deep into the opponent's court. Backcourt: Back third of the court, in the area of the back boundary lines. Backhand: The stroke used to return balls hit to the left of a right-handed player and to the right of a left-handed player. Base position: The location in the Centre of the court to which a singles player tries to return after each shot; also called "Centre position". Baseline: The back boundary line at each end of the court, parallel to the net. Carry: An illegal stroke in which the shuttle is not hit, but caught and held on the racket before being released; also called a "sling" or "throw". Centre line: A line perpendicular to the net that separates the left and right service courts. Clear: A shot hit deep into the opponent's court. Doubles: A game where a team of two players play against another team of two. Doubles sideline: The side boundary of a doubles court. Drive: A fast and low shot that makes a horizontal flight over the net. Drop shot: A shot hit softly and with finesse to fall rapidly and close to the net in the opponent's court. Fault: A violation of the playing rules. Feint: Any deceptive movement that disconcerts an opponent before or during the serve; also called a "balk". Flick: A quick wrist-and-forearm rotation used to surprise an opponent by changing an apparently soft shot into a faster passing shot. Forecourt: The front third of the court, between the net and the short service line. Forehand: The stroke used to return a ball hit to the right of a right-handed player and to the left of a left-handed player. Game: The part of a set completed when one player or side has scored enough points to win a single contest. Hairpin net shot: A shot made from below and very close to the net and causing the shuttle to rise, just clear the net, then drop sharply down the other side so that the flight of the shuttlecock resembles the shape of a hairpin. Half-court shot: A shot hit low and to midcourt, used effectively in doubles play against the up-and-back formation. High clear: A defensive shot hit deep into the opponent's court. Kill: Fast downward shot that cannot be returned. Let: A minor violation of the rules allowing a rally to be replayed. Long Service Line: In singles, the back boundary line. In doubles a line 2-1/2 feet inside the back boundary line. The serve may not go past this line. Match: A series of games to determine a winner. Midcourt: The middle third of the court, halfway between the net and the back boundary line. Net shot: A shot hit from the forecourt that just clears the net and drops sharply. Passing shot: A shot which passes the opposing player or team. Push shot: A gentle shot played by pushing the shuttlecock with a little wrist motion. Rally: The exchange of shots that decides each point. Serve: The stroke used to put the shuttlecock into play at the start of each rally; also called a "service".

Service court: The area into which a service must be delivered. Different for singles and doubles. Set: To choose to extend a game beyond its normal ending score if the score is tied with one point to go. Short service line: The front line of the service courts 1.98 meters from the net. Singles: A game where one player plays against another player. Singles sideline: The side boundary of a singles court. Smash: A hard-hit overhead shot that forces the shuttle sharply downwards into the opponent's court. Wood shot: A legal shot in which the shuttle hits the frame of the racket.