Badminton is a racquet sport that has been played for centuries. It consists of one or two players on each team, hitting an object called a shuttlecock back and forth across a badminton net. Similar to volleyball, the goal of the game is to cause the shuttlecock--also called a birdie--to hit the ground on the opposing team's side of the net first. Badminton has simple rules and an easy scoring system, making it a popular game for all ages.
General Rules
Badminton is played on a court generally measuring 44 feet long and 17 to 20 feet wide, depending on whether a singles or doubles game is being played--doubles games use the larger measurement. The badminton net is erected so that the top of the net reaches 1.55 meters off the ground. Players start play with one team hitting the shuttlecock across the net to the other team. That team then attempts to return the shuttlecock over the net using their racquet. Play continues until the shuttlecock hits the ground. If the shuttlecock lands in bounds on one side of the court, the opposing team receives a point. If the birdie lands out of bounds, though, the last team to touch the shuttlecock is charged with the out-of-bounds, and the other team receives a point. Play typically continues until one team reaches 11 or 15 points. However, Badminton Information reports the Badminton World Federation has been "testing" a new scoring format for professional contests in which games are played until one team reaches 21 points or greater and wins by two, or if one team reaches 30 first. At 30, there is no two-point margin required for victory. Still, playing to 11 or 15 is a much more common game length.
Serve Skills
There are four basic types of serves and shots available to badminton players--the high shot, flick shot, drive shot and scoop shot. The high serve is similar to a volley shot, traveling high and almost vertically. According to badmintonbible.com, it is frequently used in singles games but is almost never used in doubles games, where two players are able to cover the court well. The flick shot is an upward shot lacking the vertical heights of the high shot, and it is intended to shoot the shuttlecock past the opposing team's players without providing the needed time to get back and return a powerful, well-aimed shot. The drive shot is a gamble shot that requires an immediate reaction from the opposing team--the idea is to force a bad play by the opponent, increasing the odds of a misfire. But this shot frequently backfires on the deliverer of the shot when returned properly. The scoop shot is intended to bail out a player on a short shot, and when kept low it can force a leaping shot and a tough shooting angle for the opponent to return.
Serve Direction
The intent of choosing a serve direction is to pick the type of return shot you want to receive from your opponent. The straight shot goes straight down the center of the court and is intended to create confusion between two double's players--it can be very effective on a scoop shot, when early commitment to the shot is key. The wide shot is designed to disrupt spacing on your opponent's side of the floor, and to force a backhanded shot while the opponent is traveling away from the middle of the net. You may also serve straight at the receiver--the idea is to create confusion over whether a backhand or forehand shot is appropriate, leading to a hurried decision and a poor return.
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