10 Badminton Rules For Easy Wins

Badminton is a popular racquet sport played by two players or four players in two pairs. The game is played on a rectangular court with a net in the middle, and players use racquets to hit a shuttlecock over the net to score points. To win at badminton, it's essential to understand the rules of the game. In this article, we will discuss 10 badminton rules that can help you achieve easy wins.

Understanding the Basics of Badminton

Before we dive into the rules, let’s cover some basic concepts. A badminton match is typically played best two out of three games. A game is won by the player or pair that first reaches 21 points, with a minimum lead of two points. If the score reaches 20-20, play continues until one side leads by two points. Let’s break down the key components of a badminton game: serves, rallies, and faults. Serves are used to start a rally, and rallies are the exchanges of shots between players. A player can only hit the shuttlecock once before it goes over the net.

Rule 1: Serving

A badminton game starts with a serve. The server stands in the right service court, and the receiver stands in the right service court diagonally opposite. The server must hit the shuttlecock into the receiver’s court diagonally. The serve must clear the net and land in the receiver’s court. If the serve fails to clear the net or lands outside the court, it’s a fault, and the server gets another chance. If the server faults twice, the receiver becomes the new server.

Rule 2: Rallies

A rally starts after the serve, and players hit the shuttlecock back and forth until one of them fails to return it or makes an error. A player can use their racquet, head, or body to hit the shuttlecock, but not their hands or arms. If the shuttlecock lands outside the court or fails to clear the net, it’s a fault, and the opposing player or pair scores a point.

Rule 3: Volleys and Clears

Players can hit the shuttlecock in the air, known as a volley, or they can hit it after it bounces on their side of the court, known as a clear. A volley is a powerful shot that can be used to attack the opponent, while a clear is a defensive shot that can be used to return the shuttlecock to the opponent’s court.

Rule 4: Lets and Foults

A let is called if the shuttlecock hits the net but still lands in the opponent’s court. In this case, the point is replayed. A fault is called if the server hits the shuttlecock into the net or outside the court, or if the receiver hits the shuttlecock into the net or outside the court. If a player commits a fault, the opposing player or pair scores a point.

Rule 5: Scoring

A player or pair scores a point when their opponent fails to return the shuttlecock or makes an error. The player or pair with the most points at the end of the game wins. If the score reaches 20-20, play continues until one side leads by two points.

Rule 6: Court Boundaries

The badminton court is divided into two halves by a net. The court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide for singles, and 44 feet long and 27 feet wide for doubles. Players must stay within the court boundaries during play. If a player steps outside the court or touches the net with their body or racquet, it’s a fault, and the opposing player or pair scores a point.

Rule 7: Net Shots

A net shot is a shot that lands in the opponent’s court, but is intercepted by the opponent at the net. If the opponent hits the shuttlecock at the net, it’s a valid shot. However, if the opponent touches the net with their body or racquet, it’s a fault, and the opposing player or pair scores a point.

Rule 8: Player Positioning

Players must stay in their designated positions during play. In singles, the server stands in the right service court, and the receiver stands in the right service court diagonally opposite. In doubles, the server and receiver stand in their respective right service courts. Players can move anywhere in their court during play, but they cannot obstruct their opponent or interfere with their shot.

Rule 9: Shuttlecock Specifications

The shuttlecock must meet certain specifications to be used in a badminton game. It must be made of 16 feathers, each 2.5 to 3.5 inches long, and have a cork base with a diameter of 1.02 to 1.06 inches. The shuttlecock must also have a specific weight and speed to ensure fair play.

Rule 10: Equipment Specifications

Badminton racquets must meet certain specifications to be used in a game. The racquet must be no longer than 27 inches and no wider than 11.8 inches. The racquet must also have a specific string pattern and tension to ensure fair play. Players can use any type of footwear, but it’s recommended to wear non-marking shoes to prevent damage to the court.