Most people recognize badminton as a carefree backyard game played by children. True, badminton provides great exercise and enjoyment for the kids on a lazy summer afternoon. Even the object of badminton seems relatively easy: to volley the birdie back and forth over a net. Also considered a serious competitive sport, the seemingly simple game of badminton includes a host of rules and regulations governing all aspects of play.
Overall
In badminton, players use a racket to hit an open-ended conical object known as a shuttlecock, shuttle or birdie. This lightweight projectile features feathers or nylon webbing to facilitate flight. The sport involves play between two single opponents or doubles. The badminton court resembles a tennis court: rectangular and divided by a center net. The top of the net measures 5 feet from the ground on center. Players must never touch or reach across the net. Badminton play begins with a coin toss to determine the server and receiver and court preference.
Serve
Rules require the badminton serve to travel cross-court. Player serving form, including hand and racket position, must follow official regulations or the server receives a fault. Control of the serve belongs to the player or doubles team winning the previous point.
Strike
Players may strike the shuttlecock only one time during each volley. When the racket makes initial contact with the shuttle, rules prohibit additional strikes or hits. Additionally, during the strike the shuttlecock may not rest on the racket.
Fault
The website Badminton Information indicates that one of the most common faults in badminton occurs when a player fails to carry the shuttle over the net or sends it outside boundary lines. In indoor play, if the shuttlecock contacts the ceiling, officials will call a fault. Additional faults include a player moving into the opposing court and preventing her opponent from making a legal hit of the shuttlecock. Faults at the time of service include the shuttlecock landing either in the court directly across from the server, short of the boundary or outside the bounds. If the shuttle becomes stuck in the net, the server receives a fault.
Score
Players score a point when they win a volley or rally. The scoring of a point occurs if a competitor fails to complete a return resulting in the shuttlecock hitting the ground. Likewise, a player wins a point if his opponent's volley does not travel across the net or comes to rest out of bounds.
Set and Match
The 21-point scoring system debuted in 2006, notes the Badminton Information site. This format means that the first side to score 21 points wins the game or set. The winner of the set must do so with at least a two-point lead. Badminton matches consist of three sets, the winner taking the best of three. The rules of badminton state players shall change sides after the first game and before the third game. If the match requires a third game, opponents switch sides again when the leading scorer reaches 11 points.
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