BADMINTON

RULES OF THE GAME

•A game can take place with either two (singles) or four (doubles) players.
•An official match has to be played indoors on the proper court dimensions. The
dimensions are 6.1m by 13.4m, the net is situated through the middle of the court and is
set at 1.55m.
•To score a point the shuttlecock must hit within the parameters of the opponent’s court.
•If the shuttlecock hits the net or lands out then a point is awarded to your opponent.
•Players must serve diagonally across the net to their opponent. As points are won then
serving stations move from one side to the other. There are no second serves so if your
first serve goes out then your opponent wins the point.
•A serve must be hit underarm and below the server’s waist. No overarm serves are
allowed.
•Each game will start with a toss to determine which player will serve first and which
side of the court the opponent would like to start from.
•Once the shuttlecock is ‘live’ then a player may move around the court as they wish.
They are permitted to hit the shuttlecock from out of the playing area.
•If a player touches the net with any part of their body or racket then it is deemed a fault
and their opponent receives the point.
•A fault is also called if a player deliberately distracts their opponent, the shuttlecock is
caught in the racket then flung, the shuttlecock is hit twice or if the player continues to
infract with the laws of badminton. A fault is also called if a player deliberately distracts
their opponent, the shuttlecock is caught in the racket then flung, the shuttlecock is hit
twice or if the player continues to infract with the laws of badminton.
•Each game is umpired by a referee on a high chair who overlooks the game. There are
also line judges who monitor if the shuttlecock lands in or not. The referee has
overriding calls on infringements and faults.
•Let may be called by the referee if an unforeseen or accidental circumstance arose.
•The game has only two rest periods coming the form of a 90 second rest after the first
game and a 5-minute rest period after the second game.
•If the laws are continuously broken by a player then the referee holds the power to
dock that player of points with persisting fouls receiving a forfeit of the set or even the
match.
Scoring - A point is scored when you successfully hit the shuttlecock over the net and
land it in your opponent’s court before they hit it. A point can also be gained when your
opponent hits the shuttlecock into either the net or outside the parameters
Winning the Game - To win a game you must reach 21 points before your opponent. If
you do so then you will have won that set. If the scores are tied at 20-20 then it comes
down to whichever player manages to get two clear points ahead. If the points are still
tied at 29-29 then the next point will decide the winner of the set. Winning the overall
game will require you to win 2 out of the 3 sets played.

MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF SKILLS

 GRIP
Forehand Grip – The forehand grip is mainly used for forehand overhead shots. It’s an
easy grip to learn, and also provides a useful reference point for learning the other
grips.
Backhand Grip – It’s mainly used for backhands where the shuttle is in front of you.
That means it’s useful for many backhands in the midcourt or at the net, but not in the
rear court.
 STROKE
Forehand Stroke – The hit with the front of the hand leading (like hitting with the palm).
Backhand Stroke – It will allow you to hit the shuttle at your backhand area when it's in
mid-air (above your head).
Underhand Stroke – It is performed when you take a shuttle in front of you (normally
when your opponent hits a drop shot to you).
Overhand Stroke – This stroke generates the most power. The power of a badminton
overhand stroke comes from correct, technique; NOT how much strength you exert into
a swing. The larger the swing motion, the more momentum generated.
Sidearm Stroke – is done when an opponent shoots a drop shot towards at your side.
It is not hard to inject enough power into this stroke. This type of stroke does not need a
lot of strength.
 FOOTWORK
Ready Position – You have to bend your knees slightly, so you're ready to pounce in
any direction in which your opponent hits the shuttle. You also have to make sure to
keep your racket at your eye level, certainly at least at the height of the net.
Moving into Hitting Position – When you're in a ready position (before your opponent
serves), make sure one leg is in front and one leg behind, opened slightly wide. If the
shuttle is served to the front, use your toes of your back leg to push your bodyweight to
the front.
Footwork during the Game – it allows players to move efficiently around the pitch
while being able to meet and hit the shuttle with proper balance, timing, as well as
technique.
 SERVICE

Low/Short Serve – This type of serve is most commonly

used in doubles matches. Aim to hit the shuttle so it just
clears the net and lands as close to the service line as
possible, but it must touch the line at least, if it drops short it
will not count.

https://badmintonisgreat.com/badminton-service/

Deep long high drive – This type of serve in

badminton will get the birdie high, deep and far onto
your opponent’s side.

https://badmintonisgreat.com/badminton-service/

Drive Serve – The drive serve is an extremely risky serve,

but many expert badminton players enjoy it because of the
high reward it can yield. Observe your opponent carefully. If
you determine that your opponent has a slow reaction time, it
is best to throw in the drive serve

https://badmintonisgreat.com/badminton-service/
 SHOTS
Clear - Has a trajectory that runs almost parallel to the ground. The shuttle travels flat
and fast towards your opponent back court. This shot allows less time to your opponent
to get behind the shuttle, potentially causing weak returns. The shuttle is hit square with
your racket face.
Drop - Use this shot to move your opponent to the frontcourt. It creates space in the
midcourt and backcourt for you to exploit. You can play Slow and Fast Drop Shot. Can
be played both on the forehand and backhand sides. Wrist action is essential.
Drive – It is an attacking shot that is usually played from the sides of the court when
shuttle has fallen too low for it to be returned with a smash. The shuttle shall be
between your shoulder and knee height. Can be played diagonally crosscourt or straight
down the line. It can be played both on the Forehand Drive and Backhand Drive.
Smash - It’s the most potent of all badminton shots. Hit with power and speed. Contact
the shuttle further in front of your body than the clear or the drop shot. You can also
jump and smash the shuttle at the same time. It can be played both on the forehand and
backhand sides.

TERMINOLOGIES

Alley - extension of the court by 1-1/2 feet on both sides for doubles play.
Back Alley - Area between the back boundary line and the long service line for doubles.
Backcourt - Back third of the court, in the area of the back boundary lines.
Balk (Feint) - Any deceptive movement that disconcerts an opponent before or during
the service.
Baseline - Back boundary line at each end of the court, parallel to the net.
Carry - An illegal tactic, also called a sling or a throw, in which the shuttle is caught and
held on the racquet and then slung during the execution of a stroke.
Center or Base Position - Location in the center of the court to which a singles player
tries to return after each shot.
Center Line - Line perpendicular to the net that separates the left and right service
courts.
Clear - A shot hit deep to the opponents back boundary line. The high clear is a
defensive shot, while the flatter attacking clear is used offensively.
Court - Area of play, as defined by the outer boundary lines.
Drive - A fast and low shot that makes a horizontal flight over the net.
Drop - A shot hit softly and with finesse to fall rapidly and close to the net on the
opponent's side.
Fault - A violation of the playing rules, either in serving, receiving, or during play.
Feint (Balk) - Any deceptive movement that disconcerts an opponent before or during
the service.
Flick - A quick wrist and forearm rotation that surprises an opponent by changing an
apparently soft shot into a faster passing one; used primarily on the serve and at the
net.
Forecourt - Front third of the court, between the net and the short service line.
Hairpin Net Shot - Shot made from below and very close to the net with the shuttle
rising, just clearing the net, and then dropping sharply down the other side. The shuttle's
flight approximates the shape of a hairpin.
Half-court Shot - A shot hit low and to midcourt, used effectively in doubles against the
up-and-back formation.
Kill - fast downward shot that cannot be returned.
Let - A legitimate cessation of play to allow 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.
Love – zero score
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 - Shot hit from the forecourt that just clears the net and then falls rapidly.
Push Shot - Gentle shot played by pushing the shuttle with little wrist motion, usually
from the net or midcourt to the opponent's midcourt.
Racquet (Racket) - Instrument used by the player to hit the shuttlecock. Weight about
90 grams (3 oz.). Length 680 mm (27 in). Made from metal alloys (steel/aluminum) or
from ceramic, graphite or boron composites. Generally strung with synthetic strings or
natural gut.
Rally - Exchange of shots while the shuttle is in play.
Serve (Service) - Stroke used to put the shuttlecock into play at the start of a rally.
Service Court - Area into which the serve must be delivered. Different for singles and
doubles play.
Short Service Line - The line 6-1/2 feet from the net which a serve must reach to be
legal.
Shuttlecock (Shuttle) - Official name for the object that the players must hit. Composed
of 16 goose feathers attached to a cork base covered with leather. Synthetic shuttles
are also used by some.
Smash - Hard-hit overhead shot that forces the shuttle sharply downward. Badminton's
primary attacking stroke.
Wood Shot - Shot that results when the base of the shuttle is hit by the frame of the
racket. Once illegal, this shot was ruled acceptable by the International Badminton
Federation in 1963.