Badminton is a sport that has been around since the 16th century. The sport is played indoors, and the pinnacle comes from its Olympic events. The sport is very popular in Asian countries such as China and India with these countries leading the way by producing some of the world’s best players.
A point is scored when one successfully hits the shuttlecock over the net and lands it in the opponent’s court before they hit it. A point can also be gained when the opponent hits the shuttlecock into either the net or outside the parameters. To win a game must reach 21 points before the opponent.
If one does so then they will have won that set. If the scores are tied at 20-20 then it comes down to whichever player manages to get two clear points ahead. If the points are still tied at 29-29 then the next point will decide the winner of the set. Winning the overall game will require one to win 2 out of the 3 sets played. Following are most of the badminton rules that can help one swiftly win a game.
- A game can take place with either two (singles) or four (doubles) players.
- An official match must be played indoors on the proper court dimensions. The dimensions are 6.1m by 13.4m, and the net is situated through the middle of the court and is set at 1.55m.
- To score a point the shuttlecock must hit within the parameters of the opponent’s court.
- If the shuttlecock hits the net or lands out, then a point is awarded to the opponent.
- Players must serve diagonally across the net to their opponent. As points are won then serving stations move from one side to the other. There are no second serves so if the first serve goes out then your opponent wins the point.
- A serve must be hit underarm and below the server’s waist. No overarm serves are allowed.
- Each game will start with a toss to determine which player will serve first and which side of the court the opponent would like to start from.
- Once the shuttlecock is ‘live’ then a player may move around the court as they wish. They are permitted to hit the shuttlecock from out of the playing area.
- If a player touches the net with any part of their body or racket, then it is deemed a fault and their opponent receives the point.
- A fault is also called if a player deliberately distracts their opponent, the shuttlecock is caught in the racket and then flung, the shuttlecock is hit twice, or if the player continues to infract with the laws of badminton.
- Each game is umpired by a referee on a high chair who overlooks the game. There are also line judges who monitor if the shuttlecock lands or not. The referee has overriding calls on infringements and faults.
- Let may be called by the referee if an unforeseen or accidental circumstance arises. These may include the shuttlecock getting stuck in the bet, the server serving out of turn, one player was not ready or a decision too close to call.
- The game has only two rest periods coming the form of a 90-second rest after the first game and a 5-minute rest period after the second game.
- If the laws are continuously broken by a player, then the referee holds the power to dock that player of points with persisting fouls receiving a forfeit of the set or even the match.
