BADMINTON

Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it
may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are "singles" (with one
player per side) and "doubles" (with two players per side). Badminton is often played as a casual
outdoor activity in a yard or on a beach; formal games are played on a rectangular indoor court.
Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with the racquet and landing it within the opposing
side's half of the court.

COURT DIMENSIONS

Court dimensions
The badminton court is 13.4m long and 6.1m wide. For singles the court is marked 5.18m wide.
The lines marking out the court are easily distinguishable and coloured white or yellow. The
lines are 40mm wide. A court may be marked out for singles only. The back boundary lines also
become the long service lines and the posts or the strips of material representing them are placed
on the side lines. The diagonal full length of the full court is 14.366m.

Posts
The posts are 1.55m high from the surface of the court and remain vertical when the net is
strained. The posts are placed on the double side lines irrespective of whether singles or doubles
is played. The posts or supports must not extend into the court beyond the side lines. Where it is
not practicable to have posts on the side lines, some method can be used to indicate the position
of the side lines where they pass under the net, eg by the use of thin posts or strips of material
40mm wide, fixed to the side lines and rising vertically to the net cord.

Net
The net is 760mm in depth and a minimum of 6.1m wide. The top of the net from the surface of
the court is 1.524m at the centre of the court and 1.55m over the side lines for doubles. There
must be no gaps between the ends of the net and the posts. If necessary, the full depth of the net
at the ends is tied to the posts.

EQUIPMENT

1. Badminton Racket

Badminton rackets can be made from several types of materials.

Depending on the material selection, this can result in different
combinations of racket weight, balance points and string
tensions. With so many different combinations, it will take time
to decide which is most suited for your playing style. Instead of
making purchases online, pop by a badminton shop. Ask for
assistance and select a racket that you feel comfortable with.
Swing the racket around to get a good feel of its overall weight
and grip. Some popular badminton brands are Yonex,
ProKennex, Wilson, ProTech and Li-Ning.

2. Shuttlecock

There are two types of shuttlecocks - plastic and feathered

shuttlecocks. Plastic shuttlecocks are far more durable compared
to the feathered types which are commonly used. However,
plastic shuttlecocks are only recommended for beginners who are
just starting out. This is because feathered shuttlecocks are
expensive and fray easily especially if the wrong technique is
used. Hence, plastic shuttlecocks are good for beginners to use
for training. Plastic shuttlecocks are usually used by young
children who play badminton for recreation. Plastic shuttlecocks
tend to travel shorter distances as they are heavier. Hence, they
are good for building strength as you make the transition to feathered shuttlecocks. Most people
will progress to using feathered shuttlecocks as they are used at all competitive tournaments.
3. 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. Regular players will find heel cups useful to
prolonging the lifespan of your shoes. 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.

4. 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. Each of these items serve a purpose and might also add a
dash of colour to the entire get-up. When it comes to badminton
equipment, select what is appropriate before turning your
attention to aesthetics.

BASIC SKILLS

Attacking Stance

It is used to get into position before playing an overhead forehand stroke. To stand in the
attacking stance turn your body facing the sidelines with racket leg behind and both legs
shoulder-width apart. Now raise both racket and non-racket arms to generate the power to attack
the shuttle on its downward trajectory.
Defensive Stance

o defend the opponent’s smash, you need to be prepared with the defensive stance. Face the body
to the net and place your racket in front at waist height, slightly pointing forward. You can keep
the non-racket arm as comfortable while ensuring a better balance.

Net Stance

This stance is to be ready for the opponent’s return after playing a net shot. To play this shot,
place your foot on the racket side forward while keeping a non-racket foot at the back. Place the
racket in front of the body, slightly above waist height while raising the non-racket arm. Shift the
body weight slightly forward to be ready to pounce forward.

Footwork: Badminton Skills

Badminton is played on a court with limited space, and the athletes have to take care of the same
while playing. Footwork plays a huge role in helping with an effective and organized movement
on the court. In fact, some coaches even raise footwork to prime importance over other skills.
Serve: Badminton Skills

Service is among the most basic skill that you need to master in Badminton. Also, you should
ensure to make a legal service otherwise it might lead to penalty points. Check out Badminton
rules and dimensions.

Backhand smash

This is one of the toughest strokes in badminton, and even experts face difficulty in playing the
stroke. Still, it is important to practice and get the technique to rise in the skill level. To execute
this stroke, getting the backhand grip is extremely important. Also, it is equally important to
return back to stance. Backhand smash skill in badminton requires years of practice and
consistency.

Jumping smash

A forehand smash with a timed jump added to it counts under jumping smash. This skill in
badminton is the most glamorous of all.
Drop Shot

Amongst all the basic skills in Badminton, the drop shot is the most technical one. Badminton
Drop Shots are delicate badminton shots that can win you points that aim at scoring points in
deception. Played with both backhand and forehand, these are used to move the opponent to the
frontcourt. This creates space in the midcourt and backcourt for you to exploit. There are slow
and fast drop shots, played judging the situation. This fundamental badminton skill if developed
properly can turn an intermediate player into an expert.

Clear or Lob

The lob shot in Badminton can be imagined as a shot with an inverted ‘U’ trajectory. It is
normally played from the forecourt with an aim to lift or ‘lob’ the shuttle over the opponent. The
idea is to land it as near to the baseline as it is, at an angle that is impossible to clear. This is
similar to the drop in challenging the opponent with sudden motion backward this time. It can
also be executed by both backhand and forehand. This generally results in the creation of space
in the front and midcourt, opening plenty of opportunities. It is one of the basic badminton skill
one can learn with practice without joining coaching.

TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL SKILLS

How can the coaches develop their tactical coaching skills?

Tactics are usually the ability to make wise decisions based on the peoples’ awareness of the
situation. It involves studying the situation first and then be able to react to it. This implies that
coaches have to develop players who can rely on themselves, be able to understand what is
happening in the court, and come up with a technique to respond appropriately.
Players may become over-reliant on their coach for tactical advice, which may be dangerous at
times. The level of input may become less valid if the players fail to execute their tactical
strategy during the game and not able to react themselves to what is going on, more so when the
coach is not present.
How can practices be manipulated to incorporate tactical aspects?
Badminton technical and tactical practices tend to differ slightly as technical practices focus on
how something is being done. On the other hand, tactical practices majorly focus on why, where,
and when something is done. The major difference between these two is what the players focus
on when he or she is executing the technique.

Sometimes a coach may ask the players to practice their low services for doubles. The players
can therefore apply the technique that is required to be able to achieve the required outcome.

But if the players majorly focus on the low serve’s tactical application, then the technical
practice’s focus becomes different even on the badminton net play.

Therefore, at this level, the coach must be able to demand this level of focus required from the
players to achieve the maximum benefit to the player.
The optimal coaching style to use when coaching tactics
The style for tactical coaching should always be democratic and inclusive and also should use
many open questions so that no player is left out but gets involved in the practice.

This is always very important, especially when the player begins to make their own conclusions
and tactical decisions depending on the database scenarios. This can also impose a challenge to
the coach and also enable them to be aware of the various tactical scenarios that may be
involved.

Therefore, the coaches should always ensure that all the players are participating and no one is
left out. When they do this, then it will always bring an impressive result.

What the coach should consider when developing tactical practices

The most relevant, effective, and relevant practice is always to give the players chances to make
their own decisions during a practice. This is always the cornerstone of relevant practice and can
bring out an impressive result. This will also motivate the players and also encourage them to
work extra hard as it breaks the monotony of the players to keep listening to the decisions of the
coaches every time.

When designing a number of progressive tactical practices, the flow of the practice should
always move from a more closed place where few decisions are made to an open one where the
environment keeps changing. This gives room for the players to develop technical skills from the
start in a relevant environment. They can then test the execution as well as decision-making in an
environment that is game-oriented.
The rate at which the player’s success should always determine the progress of the practice. This
means that there is no need to throw the player into a game-like practice if they cannot execute
the technique required in an environment controlled technically.

It is also important for the player to experience success as this will always motivate them. They
should also be in a position to understand why they are having success and its relationship to the
tactical situation that they have.

The coach should also ensure he/she offers enough support to the player by always promoting
their understanding. They should be in a position to understand why some errors were made, and
these will be database scenarios that would be used in the future.

The coach can use a range of different types of tactical practices that are available within their
session, from starting the rally with a set of plays the playing the rally out. Set plays then limited
choices, win the match games, use tactical umpires, and conditioned games. What the coach
needs is to make a reflection on the aim of the session and also include some of the tactical
relevance that is critical.

What coaches should do to develop their tactical coaching skills

They need to consider their own coaching practices and how the tactics can filter the content of
the session. Developing a personal coach is often taken as a favor of building more technical
skills and knowledge.

The renewed focus on the tactical coaching area should assist in enhancing the technical support
that the coaches are able to offer to their players. This will help to increase their chances of
becoming successful in any level of competition that they will get involved in.

How coaches can provide tactical feedback

As a coach, it is always important to provide a technical reason as to why a certain error was
made. This will be used as an element within the execution of the technique, which will be at
odds with the technical model.

The coach also needs to have a wide understanding of exactly where the error was made. This
also becomes more straightforward as the coach gains experience and builds their own database
of scenarios.
RULES OF THE GAME

Rules
 A player must wait until his opponent is ready before serving. If the opponent attempts a
return then he is ruled having been ready.
 The feet of both players must remain in a stationary position until the serve is made. Your
feet can not be touching the line at this time.
 It is not a fault if you miss the shuttle while serving.
 The shuttle cannot be caught and slung with the racket.
 A player cannot hold his racket near the net to ward off a downward stroke by his
opponent or to interfere with his racket.

Faults
 The shuttle, at the instant of being hit is higher than the servers waist or the head of the
racket is higher than the servers racket hand.
 The shuttle does not land in the correct service court.
 The server's feet are not in the service court or if the feet of the receiver are not in the
court diagonally opposite the server.
 The server steps forward as he/she serves.
 Any player balking or feinting his opponent before serve or during serve.
 A serve or shot that lands outside the court boundaries, passes under or through the net,
touches any other obstructions or a players body or clothing. The boundary and service
lines are considered in play.
 The shuttle in play is struck before it crosses the net to the striker's side of the net. You
may follow through over the net.
 A player touching the net or its supports with his body or racket while the shuttle is in
play.
 Hitting the shuttle twice in succession by a player or team.

Scoring System
 A match consists of the best of 3 games of 21 points.
 Every time there is a serve – there is a point scored.
 The side winning a rally adds a point to its score.
 At 20 all, the side which gains a 2 point lead first, wins that game.
 At 29 all, the side scoring the 30th point, wins that game.
 The side winning a game serves first in the next game.

Interval and Change of Ends

 A 1 minute interval between each game is allowed.
 In the third game, players change ends when the leading score reaches 11 points.

Singles
 At the beginning of the game (0-0) and when the server’s score is even, the server serves
from the right service court. When the server’s score is odd, the server serves from the
left service court.
  If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and then serves again from the
alternate service court.
 If the receiver wins a rally, the receiver scores a point and becomes the new server. They
serve from the appropriate service court – left if their score is odd, and right if it is even.

Doubles
 A side has only one ‘set’.
 The service passes consecutively to the players as shown in the diagram.
 At the beginning of the game and when the score is even, the server serves from the right
service court. When it is odd, the server serves from the left court.
 If the serving side wins a rally, the serving side scores a point and the same server serves
again from the alternate service court.
 If the receiving side wins a rally, the receiving side scores a point. The receiving side
becomes the new serving side.
 The players do not change their respective service courts until they win a point when
their side is serving.

OFFICIATE THE SPORT

The referee is in overall charge of a badminton tournament or championship(s) of which a match
forms part, to uphold the Laws of Badminton and Competition Regulations in the BWF Statutes.

Individual singles matches require a total of six officials:

 an umpire who is in charge of the match, the court and its immediate surroundings
 four line judges (two for each side of the court positioned at the baseline) who indicate
whether a shuttlecock landed 'in' or 'out' on the line(s) assigned
 a service judge