Overview and History
Badminton is a racket sport Badminton originated in
that is played on a court India in the mid-1800’s.
divided by a net five feet Its popularity increased
high. when English army officers
stationed in India transported
The game is played with a
the game to England.
shuttlecock (“bird”).
In England it was called
Can be played as singles or “badmintin”.
doubles. Eventually it spread to the
The object of the game is to United States.
hit the shuttlecock over the
net so that eventually the
opponent is unable to return
the shot.
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.
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.
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.
Techniques
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.
Scoring
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.
Scoring continued
Doubles
There are 15 points in a doubles game.
When the score is 13 all, the side that reached 13 first has the option of “setting” the game to 5.
If the score becomes 14 all, the side that reached 14 first has the option of “setting” the game
to 3.
After the game has been “set”, the score is called “love all” and the side that first scores 5 or 3
points wins the game.
The option to “set” the game must be made before the next service is delivered after the score
has reached 13 all or 14 all.
Scoring continued
Singles
There are 11 points in a singles game.
When the score is 9 all, the first person to reach
9 can “set” the score to 3
If the score is tied at 10, the first person to reach
10 can “set” the score to 2.
Serving
Doubles
Serving always starts from the right court.
You continue to serve as long as you score.
The serving side switches courts after each point.
If a fault is made by the “in” side, the server loses the serve.
“In” side – the side that is serving
The side that starts the game only has one service for the first
inning.
Meaning, only one partner serves for the first inning.
After the first inning each side has two serves.
Meaning, each partner serves and continues to serve as long as they score.
If a partner loses the serve, the serve goes to the other partner.
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.
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.
Serving Rules
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.
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 good.
During a rally, if the shuttle
touches the net and goes over it
is good.
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.
Faults
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.
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.
Systems of Play (Doubles)
Side by side – defensive positioning
Each player is responsible for one side of the
court
Good positioning to defend against a smash
Up and back – offensive positioning
One player in front half the other in back half
This allows the team to put pressure on the
other team.
Combination – Combination of both systems
When a team hits the shuttle in the air, they
assume side by side position to defend against
the smash
At other times they are in up and back
positions
Terminology
Alley – An extension of the width of the court by 1’6” on both sides
Used in doubles.
Back alley – Between the doubles back service line and the singles back service
line.
Baseline – Another name for the back boundary line.
Bird – Officially known as shuttlecock. Referred to as shuttle.
Block – Placing the racket in front of the shuttle and letting it rebound into the
opponent’s side of the court.
Carry – Holding the shuttle on the racket during a stroke. Also called a “sling”
or a “throw”.
This is illegal.
Center or basic position – Position in which a player stands in relation to the
court, net, opponent and shuttle.
Clear – High, deep shot to the back boundary line.
Terminology
Double hit – hitting the shuttle twice in the same stroke
This is illegal.
Doubles – Game of four players, two on each team.
Down – Loss of serve given when when the serving side fails to score.
In doubles, the first side to serve at the start of the game only has one
down.
Drive – A hart hit horizontal flight over the net.
Drop shot – A stroke hit with very little speed that falls very close to the net
on the opponents side.
Fault – any violation of the rules.
Game – A game consists of 15 points in doubles and 11 points in singles.
Hairpin stroke – Made from below and very close to the net with the shuttle
just clearing the net and dropping sharply downward.
Terminology
Hand down – The loss of serve in doubles.
Home position – Ideal court spot for awaiting the opponent’s return.
Usually at mid court near the centerline.
“In” side – Side having the right to serve.
Inning – Term of service.
Kill – Fast downward shot which usually cannot be returned.
Let – Play that is allowed to be re-played.
Lob – Also called a clear, high clear, or a driven clear that goes over the
opponent’s head.
Love – No score, the score at the beginning of the game and after “setting”
the score.
Match – Best two out of three games.
Mixed doubles – Games played with partners of the opposite sex.
“Out” side – Side receiving the serve.
Terminology
Rally – rapid returns made by players.
Ready position – an alert body position that allows quick movement in
any direction.
Serve or service – act of putting the shuttle into play.
Set or setting a game – Method of extending games by increasing the
number of points necessary to win tied games.
The player reaching the tied score first has the option of “setting” the
score.
Set up – poor shot which makes a “kill” easy.
Singles – game involving two players, on on each side of the court.
Smash – hard hit overhead shot which forces the shuttle sharply
downward. The main attacking stroke.
Stroke – action of striking the shuttle with the racket.
