SPORT: BADMINTON

Background of the sport: Badminton evolved from a children’s game known as battledore and shuttlecock. The
original game was played without a net; the main objective was to volley a shuttlecock in the air between players
using battledores, or paddles like tennis. Battledore and shuttlecock was not played competitively; it was a
cooperative to see how long a group of players could keep the shuttlecock in the air. The original game evolved to
a game played by India called Poona. British soldiers brought Poona to England, where the modern game of
backgammon developed.
Nature of the sport: Badminton is played as a singles or doubles game with one or two players on a side. The
object of the game is to hit the shuttlecock or “bird” back and forth with a racket across a net five feet high at its
center. The bird should be hit with such speed and accuracy that the opponent is unable to return the shot
successfully. The game can either be fast or slow paced, depending on the skill level of the players. Players must
possess speed, power, and good agility skills to win the game. It can be in an indoor or outdoor played by men or
women in singles or doubles match.
Equipment and Facilities needed for the sport:  In order to play this form of badminton, certain equipment and
facilities are needed. Although it wouldn’t hurt to have chic shoes and smart looking attire, you should be looking
for function over aesthetics when it comes to your badminton equipment.
Equipment:
1. Racket - The badminton racket is one of the most important tools a player has in the game. Badminton
rackets are much lighter than most other sports rackets because they are made from materials such as carbon
fiber or lighter metals such as aluminum. Parts of the racket include the head, throat, shaft and handle with a
maximum length of 27.77 inches and a width of 9 inches. It Strings that are stretched across the opening of the
racket in a checkerboard pattern, which acts as the hitting surface. Badminton rackets can vary widely in cost
depending on whether they are purchased as part of a basic backyard set or as more expensive professional
models.
2. Shuttlecock - The badminton shuttlecock, also referred to as a shuttle or birdie, acts similarly to a ball in
other racket sports. However, the design of the birdie creates more drag as it is propelled through the air due to
its feathered shape. The shuttlecock is made up of a cone shape with a hard cork at its tip. Shuttlecocks can
be made from a variety of materials -- more expensive models are actually made from feathers, and less
expensive models are made from plastic feathers. The shuttle has 16 feathers attached to the base and the
length of the feathers range between 2.44 and 2.75 inches.
3. Net - A mesh net divides the badminton court into two sides. A badminton net is placed lower than a
volleyball net at five feet and one-inch-high on the sides and five feet high in the center. The length may vary
depending on whether doubles or singles are playing, with singles reaching 17 feet and doubles reaching 22
feet. The net is 30 inches wide with a 3-inch white tape doubled over the top.
4. Badminton Shoes - Badminton shoes are designed to give you better traction and grip to stop in time to
return a shot. They should also be lightweight have good cushioning to absorb impact when you jump or land.
Do not wear jogging shoes as they usually lack grip and traction. You might end up crashing through the
badminton net if you are unable to stop in time to receive a drop shot. 
5. Badminton Attire - For casual to non-competitive players, a comfortable pair of shorts and cotton or dri-fit
t-shirt is sufficient. Some players may want to equip themselves with hand grips, wrist bands and ankle guards.
Facilities:
1. Court - Badminton courts measure 44 feet long by 20 feet wide with a center net line separation that
creates a 22-feet-long by 20-feet-wide area on each side. Badminton courts have boundary lines marking the
44-feet-long by 20-feet-wide outline; these lines are the long service lines for singles play and the sidelines for
doubles play. Single side lines are marked 1 1/2 feet from the doubles sideline, or outer boundary line. Lines on
 the court marked 6 1/2 feet from the center line are the short service lines. A center line running from the short
service line to the back boundary line separates the left and right sides of the court.
Badminton Equipment and Facilities Regulations:
Badminton has specific rules that govern its play. These rules extend to the equipment used in the badminton.
Racket size, court dimensions, net height and shuttle construction are all strictly controlled to provide the fairest
and even matches for sanctioned play of the sport.
 The frame of the badminton racket must consist of a handle attached to a shaft, which connects to the
throat and head of the racket. The head must be strung with interwoven synthetic string. The head can be no
bigger than 280 mm in length and 220 mm in width. The total length of the racket should be within 680 mm in
length and 230 mm total width. The full weight of a strung racket frame must be between 80 and 100 g.
 The shuttle, the small object hit back and forth across the net, can be constructed of natural or synthetic
material. The ball-shaped base of the shuttle can be made of rubber or cork covered in leather and must be
between 25 and 28 mm in diameter. The base holds the skirt of the shuttle to which 16 real or synthetic feathers
that project backward and outward are connected. The feathers must be 62 to 70 mm in length. The shuttle
must weigh between 4.74 and 5.50 g.
 The badminton net can be natural or synthetic. The netting line be fine, dark and of even thickness with a
mesh no larger than 20 mm. The dimensions of the net must be 2.5 feet tall and 20 feet wide. A white, folded, 3-
inch-wide tape must form the top edge of the badminton net with a cord running through the tape to hold the
net. The top of the net must be 5 feet from the ground.
 The posts that hold the net on either side of the court must be 5 feet tall and must stay vertical after
stringing the net. The net must tie to the net posts so no gap appears between the net and the post.
 The outside dimensions of the court must be 20 feet wide by 44 feet long and visibly marked. A center line
must divide the court evenly lengthwise. The marked line at the end of the court serves as the singles long
service line and a doubles long service line across both sides the court must be marked 2.5 feet closer to the
net. A short service line must be marked across both sides of the court, 6.5 feet from the net.

Safety/Etiquette:
1. Keep a firm grip on the racket.
2. Be careful not to hit your partner with the racket.
3. Stay in your own court to avoid the possibility of collision with other players.
4. Stop play if other players enter your court.
5. Wait until there is a stop in the action to retrieve a bird from another court.
6. Be aware of the walls and the net posts.
7. Before play, agree on the boundaries and determine the first server.
8. Players call their own lines; replay the point if in doubt.
9. Shake hands after the game/match.

Basic Rules
General rules:
1. You should not serve until the opponent is ready, but if he/she attempts to return the serve, he/she
is considered ready and play continues.
2. If in serving, you miss the shuttlecock, you may serve again providing your racquet did not make
any contact during the attempt.
3. Birdies that hit the net as they cross during play are good and should be played.
4. If, in serving, the shuttle touches the net, it is a “let” provided the service is otherwise good and the
birdie is served again.
If a let is called, the rally is stopped and replayed with no change to the score. Lets may occur because of some
unexpected disturbance such as a shuttlecock landing on a court (having been hit there by players playing in
adjacent court) or in small halls the shuttle may touch an overhead rail which can be classed as a let.
5. Birdies that fall on the line are considered good.
Toss

1. Before commencing play, the opposing sides shall toss a coin and the side winning the
toss shall have the option of:
o serving first,
o not serving first, or
o choosing ends
2. The side losing the toss shall then have the choice of any alternative remaining. Ends are
changed after games one and two. If a third game is necessary, ends are changed during the game
after one side has scored 11 points.

Fouls or Faults:

1. If in serving, the shuttlecock is struck above the server’s waist.

2. If at the serve, the shuttlecock falls into the wrong receiving court.
3. If the server’s and receiver’s feet are not within the boundaries of their serving court and receiving court,
respectively.
4. If the partner of the receiver takes the serve.
5. If a player touches the net with his/her racquet, person, or clothes.
6. If the shuttlecock is struck in return before it has crossed the net to his/her side. (The follow-through may break
the plane of the net.)

Scoring System:

1. A match consists of best-of-three games to 21 points.

2. At 20 all, the side which gains a two-point lead first wins the game.
3. At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point wins that game.
4. The side winning a game serves first in the next game.
5. Every time there is a serve, there will be a point scored, unless that point is replayed.
6. A two-minute break between each game is allowed.
7. When the leading score reaches 11 points, players may take a 60-second break if
needed.

Basic Skills: