Badminton is basically an indoor sport which is the fastest sport in the World. Want to learn about badminton? Take a look at the rules and regulations to follow to play badminton. The rules can be tricky at first if you are a beginner but this article has got all of it covered in the simplest way possible.
Singles and Doubles
Badminton is played in Singles or doubles format only.
Singles: 2 players
Doubles: 4 players
Mixed Doubles: 4 players (one pair- 1 male and 1 female)
Each player is allowed to play with a badminton racquet and a shuttlecock. The shuttlecock is made of feathers and a rubber base. Always hit from the rubber base and not from the feather part.
Court
A badminton court measures 6.1m wide and 13.1m long. Across the rectangular court, there is a net in between than runs at 1.55m. There are two tram lines on each side of the court. The inside lines are a boundary for singles matches and the outside lines are a boundary for doubles matches. The net is 1.55m (5ft 1in) high at the ends and 1.52m high (5ft) where it dips in the middle.
A serve must pass the short service line, which is 1.98m (6.5ft) from the net.
Beyond the short service line, there is a line that runs down the middle to split the left and right service courts. There is also a doubles service line 0.76m (2.5ft) in from the baseline.
That means each service court (four in total) is 3.96m (13ft) long and 2.59m (8.5ft) wide. To know about the different types of badminton courts, click here.
Shuttlecock
The cone-shaped projectile is formed using feathers or a synthetic material which are attached to a cork or rubber base.
The birdie’s shape means it will always fly cork-first once struck, and remain so until hit again.
Made up of 16 feathers, the birdie is between 62-70mm long and weigh between 4.74 and 5.5g. The tip of the feathers should create a circle with a diameter from 58-62mm, with the cork/rubber base 25-28mm in diameter and rounded at the bottom.
Left or Right
Well, you cannot randomly serve from any side of the court during a game. You will have to follow the services according to the odd and even numbers of the score. When you start, your server’s score is even, therefore you serve from the right-hand court and when the server’s score is odd, you serve from the left-hand court. Therefore, be thorough with odd and even numbers.
Remember, you shall serve to or receive in the right service court when you or your opponent has scored an even number of points in the game.
You shall serve to or receive in the left service court when you or your opponent has scored an odd number of points in the game.
Odd Score: Left-hand Service court
Even Score: Right-hand Service court
Badminton Scoring System
Every singles or doubles match is a compound of three badminton games.
A match in badminton is a best of three games.
Each game is set for 21 points and the side to achieve 21 points first, wins the game.
A point is scored on every serve and it is awarded to the one who wins the rally. The one who wins the rally gets the next serve.
Is the score if 20-20, a side must win 2 clear points to win the game. If it reaches 29-29, then the first side to get the 30th point wins the game.
Toss
A badminton match always begins with a toss. If you win the toss you have an option to choose either to serve first or to start play at either side of the court. Your opponent will exercise the remaining choice.
Rest Period
The game has only two rest periods :
Mid game interval break: 1 minute
90 seconds break after the each game.
Badminton Rules for Singles
When you win the toss in singles, you have the option to choose either to serve first or the court.
Service
The valid service court in singles is long and thin. It consists of: The centerline, the singles sideline(inside sideline), the front service line, the backline( the outside backline). If the service lands beyond these lines it is considered a fault.
Badminton Rules for Doubles
Toss
During the toss in doubles, when you win the toss and decide either to choose the serve or the court, you will also have to choose who will be the receiver or the server of the service between you and your partner. The game is always started from the right-hand court, so whoever stands on the right service court has to serve or receive.
Service
In Doubles, the service court is wide and short. It consists of the: centerline, Doubles sideline( outside sideline), the front service line, the inside backline (just before the outside backline).
Two scenarios can occur when the first rally is over :
- The server’s team wins the rally: In this scenario, the server’s team will win a point and retain the serve. However, the person who serves will alternate with the team mate and will move to the other side of the court to serve for the next rally.
- The receiver’s team wins the rally: In this scenario, the receiver’s team will gain a point and will win the serve. However, two things need to be considered.
First, what was their respective service court in the previous rally?
Second, what is their score?
If it is an even number score, then the person standing on the right-hand court will serve and if it is an odd number score then the person standing on the left-hand side will serve.
Remember, no player can serve or receive the shuttle twice from the same service court. However, if a player receives or serves from the wrong service court, it is considered a service error and not a fault.
Faults in Badminton
There are mainly 5 faults in badminton. They are:
- Contact Fault
- Over the Net Fault
- Service Fault
- Receiver Fault
- Double Hit
To read more about these faults, click here.
Yellow Card and Red Card
A yellow card is given to a player when they breach the official game laws. As a result, a monetary fine is imposed on the player. When the player is given a yellow card, the umpire calls the offender to his/her side and loudly announces the player’s name and says ‘Warning for misconduct’. While doing so, they hold the card above their head with the right hand. Therefore, a yellow card is given when a player is accused of misconduct.
When a player receives two yellow cards, they receive a red card and a point is awarded to the opponent. To read more, click here.
Final Thoughts
Learn all the badminton rules, as lack of awareness, can prove to be a disadvantage for you. Keep practicing and playing with the right set of rules.
I hope you enjoyed this article.
Thanks for reading. Keep playing.
