Badminton Simplified Rules

Simplified Rules of Badminton

• A match is the best of 3 games, and each game goes to 21 points
• A point is scored every time there is a serve
• A side scores a point when they win a rally
• The side that gets a 2 point lead first, wins the game
• The side who gets the 30th point wins if the score reaches 29 all
• The side winning the previous game serves first in the next game
• When the leading score is 11, there is a 60 second interval
• There is a 2 minute interval between each game
• Players switch ends when the leading score reaches 11 points in the third game

Singles

• At the game's start (0-0), server serves from the right service court if score is even; serves from left service court if score is odd
• If the server wins a rally, the server scores a point and serves again from the other service court
• If the receiver wins a rally, they score a point and become the new server, then serves from the correct service court

Doubles

• Each side gets only 1 'service'
• The service passes consecutively to the players as shown
• At the start of the game (even score), the server serves from the right; if the score is odd, the server serves from the left
• The serving side scores a point if they win a rally, and the same server serves from the other service court
• The receiving side gets a point if they win a rally, and become the new serving side
• Players hold their service court until they score a point while serving
• Service errors are corrected when the mistake is discovered

Doubles Match Example

• In a doubles match when A & B play C & D, if A & B won the toss and decided to serve, A serves to C
• A is the initial server and C is the initial receiver
• If A+B win their point, the next service continues as specified in the rules explained above

Badminton Court and Equipment

• Terms for court and play include: service judge, receiver, white tape, post, linesman, jumpire, net, alley, server, center line, back boundary line, long service line, doubles sideline, singles sideline, short service line
• Equipment includes: Badminton Racket (frame, stringing, head, neck, butt, handle, shaft) and Shuttlecock (feather crown, synthetic shuttlecock, cork tip)

Playing Tips

• For serving in singles, serve "long & slim"
• For serving in doubles, serve "short & fat" and cover the whole court
• For play in singles, play "long & slim"
• For play in doubles, play "long & fat"

Badminton Basics: The Grip

• The grip is fundamental to playing badminton
• Incorrect grip lowers shot power and accuracy
• Learning to quickly change grip is natural
• The two basic badminton grips are the forehand grip and the backhand grip

Forehand Grip

• Racket face should be perpendicular to the floor
• Place playing hand on the handle as if "shaking hands" with it
• There should be a “V” shape between thumb and index finger
• Racket handle rests loosely in the fingers

Backhand Grip

• Hold the racket like the forehand grip
• Rotate the racket until the “V” shape on the handle moves leftwards
• Place your thumb against the back bevel of the handle for more power
• Racket handle should rest loosely in the fingers

The Serve

• There are two badminton serve methods: High serve and low serve
• The method depends on where you want the shuttlecock to land
• Avoid badminton service fouls

The Importance of a Good Badminton Serve

• A weak serve creates an attacking shot opportunity for the opponent
• It is important to know how to serve properly to avoid losing service points

The High Badminton Serve

• Typically executed if you want the shuttlecock to land at the back of the court
• A good high serve makes sure the shuttle drops steeply downwards at the back of the court, to prevent opponent from smashing

The Low Badminton Serve

• Used to serve the shuttlecock to the front of the service box
• Shuttlecock should fly just over the net to keep the opponent from an offensive shot

The Strokes

• Necessary to learn strokes (swing motion of the racket arm) to become a good player
• Strokes are not badminton shots, but proper strokes are needed to perform certain shots
• It is important to start with the right strokes
• It is difficult to perform strong backhand shots if you perform the wrong backhand stroke
• It is very difficult to correct poor stroke habits once you start playing with them

Overhead Strokes

• You will need to use different strokes to hit the shuttle when it flies towards a particular area around your body -Shots are the Clear, Drop and Smash

Underarm Strokes

• Shots are the Lob, Drive. and Net Play

The Shots

Using Overhead Strokes (Forehand & Backhand)

• Clear: Most important badminton shot, especially in singles; a high defensive clear stops your opponent from smashing from a good angle
• A "good" defensive clear sends the shuttle right to your opponent's baseline

Objective of Defensive Clear

• To 'create' time
• Use when unable keep pace
• Hit High Clears deep into your opponent's baseline

Drop Shot

• This is an overhead stroke that is a soft badminton shot performed from the rear court
• It travels down steeply and lands at your opponent's forecourt

Objective of Playing the Badminton Drop Shot

• To get your opponent out of position, since The Drop Shot draws your opponent to the front of the court
• To vary the pace of the game - it is most effective when the Drop is used unexpectedly, when the opponent expects a Clear or a Smash

Smash

• This is an offensive shot that is executed from the rear court
• Travels downwards to your opponent's side

Important Tips and Advice (smash)

• Use your non-racket arm for body balance
• Smash when your body is well-positioned and quickly arrive at the shuttle

Objective of Playing the Badminton Smash

• Winning a rally straight away
• Increase the speed/pace of the game

Using Underarm Strokes (Forehand and Backhand)

• Net Play / Net Shots: Vital skill when playing along the net; needs extreme racket control

Master Badminton Net Shots

• Good badminton footwork is needed to bring you quickly to the front of the court to return the shuttle
• Good racket control; needs to ensure not too much, but sufficient power for the shuttle fly just above the net

Types of Net Shots

• The Tumbling/Spinning Net Shot: Force opponent to lift the shuttle high up to you
• The Net Kill: Take advantage when the opponent returns a weak net shot, then strike it swiftly with a net kill!

The Drive

• A shot that crosses the net flatly in a horizontal trajectory
• Can be played both on the forehand and backhand sides
• It's an attacking shot played when the shuttle has fallen too low for it to be returned with a smash
• A flat and fast drive is useful in getting the shuttle behind your opponent, potentially causing them to make a weak return
• When played it correctly forces an opponent to hit an upward return allowing you an advantage