Badminton is a racket sport played on a court divided by a net. It originated in India in the mid-1800s and became popular in England when officers brought it back from India. The objective is to hit the shuttlecock over the net so the opponent cannot return it. It can be played singles or doubles and uses rackets to hit the shuttlecock back and forth over the net. Points are scored by serving and committing no faults.
2. Overview and History
Badminton is a racket sport
that is played on a court
divided by a net 5 feet high.
The game is played with a
shuttlecock (“birdie”).
Can be played as singles or
doubles.
The object of the game is to
hit the shuttlecock over the
net so that eventually the
opponent is unable to return
the shot.
Badminton originated in
India in the mid-1800’s.
Its popularity increased
when English army officers
stationed in India transported
the game to England.
In England it was called
“badmintin”.
Eventually it spread to the
United States.
3. Safety
1. Make sure to always have a firm
grip on the racket.
2. Be careful not to hit your partner
with the racket.
3. Stay on your own court.
4. Stop playing if others enter your
court.
5. If your bird goes into another
court, wait until their play stops.
6. Be careful and aware of your
surroundings (poles, walls, etc.)
7. The rackets are not toys, so no
fooling around.
4. Equipment
Rackets are fragile.
◼ Avoid hitting the floor, walls, posts,
nets, and other people.
Handle the shuttlecocks carefully and
only by their rubber tips.
◼ If birds get stuck in the net remove
them carefully so that they don’t tear.
If your assigned racket is damaged
report it to your teacher at the
beginning of class.
◼ If you don’t, you are held responsible for
the damage and will be fined.
Make sure to return your racket to its
numbered spot and bring all the
birdies back to the teacher.
5. Techniques
Serve – long or short
Forehand
◼ For right handed players: A stroke
hit when the shuttle is on the right
side of the body.
◼ For left handed players: A stroke
hit when the shuttle is on the left
side of the body.
Round the head – An overhead
stroke played on the left or
backhand side of the body.
Smash – A hard hit overhand
stroke with a fast downward path.
◼ It is a main attacking stroke.
Drive – A powerfully hit forehand or
backhand stroke which just clears the
top of the net.
◼ Difficult to return due to the shuttle’s
straight line trajectory.
Clear – A stroke which sends the
shuttle high over the opponents head
and drops near the backcourt
boundary line.
◼ It may be hit with and overhand or
underhand stroke.
◼ Can be used as offensive or
defensive play.
Drop Shot – The shuttle is stroked
over the net so it drops very close to
the net.
6. Scoring
The game is played up to 21 points
Points are scored only by the serving
side.
A point is rewarded to the serving side
whenever the other side commits a fault.
◼ If a fault is committed by the serving
side, the server does not score a
point and loses the serve.
7. Scoring continued
Singles
There are 21 points in a singles
game.
When the score is 20-20 the
winner is the player with a 2 point
advantage.
If the score goes up to 29-29 the
winner is the first to reach 30.
8. Serving
Singles
A player can only score while
serving.
Each time they score a point, they
switch service courts.
Whenever a players score is zero or
an even number, they serve from the
right side service court.
When the server’s score is an odd
number they serve from the left side
service court.
9. Serving Rules
The server must keep both feet
within the service court during the
serve.
The serve must be underhand and
the shuttle must be contacted
below the waist.
The shuttle must be hit in front of
the body.
The server may not serve until the
receiver is ready.
During a serve, the partner of the
server and receiver may stand
anywhere as long as they don’t
obstruct the opponents view.
A serve that touches the net and
goes into the proper service area
is legal.
If the server misses the shuttle
entirely on the serve, it is not a
fault and they can serve again.
◼ If any part of the racket touches
the shuttle it is considered a
serve and is a fault.
The server should announce the
score before each serve.
If a single player is playing a
doubles team, the single player
is allowed two terms of service.
10. General Rules
Winners of the first game
must serve first in the next
game.
Teams change sides after
each game.
Any shuttle landing on the
lines are IN.
During a rally, if the
shuttle touches the net and
goes over it is good.
11. Faults
Overhand serves –
◼ Anytime the server contacts the
shuttle higher than their waist.
◼ If any part of the head of the racket
is higher than the server’s hand
holding the racket.
During the serve, the shuttle lands
outside the correct service court.
If the server’s or receiver's feet are
not in the correct service court as the
shuttle is served.
If the player touches the net with their
racket or body.
If the shuttle…
◼ Hits any obstruction such as the
ceiling, wall, backboard, etc.
◼ Fails to go over the net.
◼ Is hit by the other team before it
crosses the net.
◼ Is not distinctively hit, but held
momentarily on the racket.
◼ Is hit more than once in
succession by a team.
◼ Hits any part of the players
body.
12. Strategy
Put your opponent on the defensive.
Hit the bird so that your opponents
only possible return is an upward
direction.
Hit the shuttle with an overhand
stroke whenever possible.
Use the smash if possible.
Play to your opponents weakness.
Use a variety of shots and keep your
opponent moving.
Recover your own court position
quickly.
