USM Badminton: Rules, History, and Concepts

• The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, Cotabato is presenting badminton.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Explain badminton rules and structure for accurate reporting.
• Analyze match performances using player strategies and statistics.
• Develop sports reporting skills with proper terminology.
• Use critical observation to highlight key match moments.
• Practice fair, accurate, and objective reporting.

Origin of Badminton

• Badminton started in India in the mid-1800s, derived from battledore and shuttlecock.
• British military officers in India created the game "Poona."
• British and American expatriates brought badminton to the Philippines in the 1920s.
• The Philippine Badminton Association was founded in 1952, leading to a national team.
• The game was originally called "battledore" and played by the upper classes in England.

Terminologies

• Shuttlecock: Also known as a birdie or shuttle, made of a cork with sixteen goose feathers on a rounded base.
• Smash: A hard, powerful overhead shot.
• Rally: An exchange of shots after the serve.
• Flick: A quick wrist and forearm movement used to make a soft shot harder, especially when serving or near the net.
• Fault: A violation of the rules.
• Bird/Birdie: Another name for the shuttlecock.
• Umpire: In charge of ensuring a match follows all rules and regulations.

Facilities

• Badminton Court: A rectangular court 44 ft long x 17 ft wide for singles, or 44 ft long x 22 ft wide for doubles.
• Net: 5 ft and 1 inch tall at the ends, 5 ft tall in the middle, and at least 20 ft wide.

Equipment

• Badminton Racket: A lightweight racket made from various materials, weighing 24-28 LBS, etc.
• Shuttlecock: A cork base with 16 goose feathers, weighing 4.74 to 5.50 grams.
• Badminton Shoes: Lightweight shoes with good grip.
• Badminton Attire: Lightweight clothing.
• Players are divided into men's and women's categories.

Court Measurement

• Long service line for doubles is 6.10m
• Left and Right service courts
• Short service line
• Net
• Center line
• The side line for doubles is 13.40m
• The Long service line for singles is 5.18m.
• 76cm

Basic Rules

• Serving: The server must hit the shuttle below the waist behind the 10-foot line. Server and receiver must keep both feet on the ground.
• Scoring: A player/pair scores a point by winning a rally. The winner of a game serves first in the next game.
• Net: A player cannot touch the net with their body or racquet.
• Shuttle: The shuttle cannot be carried or hit twice by the racquet. It cannot be played after hitting the ground.
• Ends: Players change ends after the first game, after the second game if a third is needed, and when a side reaches 11 points in the third game
• Match: Best of three games.
• Faults: Includes hitting the net, hitting the shuttle twice, or hitting the ceiling.
• Doubles: If the shuttle touches one player's body or racquet, their partner cannot return it.
• Coin toss: Determines who starts the game.

Badminton Scoring System

• All singles and doubles matches are best-of-three games.
• The first side to 21 points wins a game.
• A point is awarded to whichever side wins the rally and gets the next serve.
• If the score is 20-20, a side must win by two clear points; if it reaches 29-29, the first to 30 points wins.

Hand Signals

• Service Judge Signals
  • Legal Serve: No signal; play continues.
  • Service Fault (Height, Foot Fault, or Delay): Hand raised above shoulder level.
  • Short Serve: Palm facing down, close to the net.
  • Long or Wide Serve: Hand extended straight to the side.
• Line Judge Signals
  • In (Shuttle Lands Inside the Court): Arms extended downward, palms facing the court.
  • Out (Shuttle Lands Outside the Court): Arms extended sideways, palms open.
  • Unsure (Obstructed View): Arms crossed in front of the chest.
• Umpire Signals
  • Fault (Illegal Shot, Net Touch, Double Hit, etc.): Hand extended with palm facing forward.
  • Let (Rally Stopped, No Point Awarded): Hand raised above the head.
  • Time Warning or Delay: Tapping the wrist with fingers.
  • Misconduct Warning (Verbal or Card Given): Holding up a yellow/red card.

Basic Badminton Skills

• Grip: Hold the racket in either a forehand (shaking hands) or backhand grip (thumb-up sign).
• Footwork: Move quickly and smoothly around the court, keeping knees bent and staying on your toes.
• Serving: Start the rally with a good serve; use a high serve for singles and a low serve for doubles.
• Forehand and Backhand Strokes: Hit the shuttle with either forehand (palm facing forward) or backhand (back of hand facing forward).
• Smash: A powerful downward shot to score points.
• Drop Shot: A soft shot near the net to surprise the opponent.
• Clear: A high shot to the back of the court to push the opponent away from the net.
• Drive: A fast and flat shot aimed directly at the opponent.
• Net Play: Gentle shots near the net to control the pace of the game.
• Defense: Blocking or returning smashes and fast shots.