Badminton is a sport played by two or four players. Equipment consists of rackets, shuttlecocks (birdies) and a net that stand five feet high.
A. Rally scoring is used, which means a point is scored on every serve. A player continues to serve until losing a volley.
B. All games must be won by a difference of at least two points.
C. Game is capped at 30 points which means, if the game is not won by 2 points at this point, the first team to get to 30 wins.
A. Doubles - played to 21 points
1. During the serve, partners of the server and receivers must stand in their respective service boxes.
2. When the serving team wins the volley, a point is scored by the servers and the players switch right/left sides.
3. When the receiving team wins the volley, a point is scored by the receivers but they do NOT switch. The serve goes to the receiving team.
4. Except for the first serve when the server is in the right hand box, the player that serves first depends on the score. IF the score is an even number, the right court player serves. IF the score is an odd number, the left court player serves.
B. Singles - played to 21 points
1. The first serve of the game and all subsequent serves, when the servers own score is zero or an even number, the server shall serve from the right service court. If the score is odd, the server serves from the left service court.
2. The receiver always stands in the court diagonally across from the server, and both server and receiver rotate courts each time a point is scored.
C. Faults
1. A fault committed by the serving side results in loss of service and a point to the receiving team.
2. A fault by the receivers results in a point for the servers.
3. It is a fault:
a. if on the serve, the head of the server’s racket is higher than his/her wrist when the shuttle is hit.
b. if on the serve, the shuttle does not cross the net or lands outside the proper service court.
c. if the feet of both server and receiver are not in the proper service court while serve is delivered.
d. if on the serve, the receiver’s partner returns the shuttle.
e. if the shuttle touches a player or his clothing
f. if a player hits the shuttle before it crosses the net.
g. if a player touches the net during play.
h. if a player hits the shuttle twice before it crosses the net or if both partners hit it before is crosses the net.
D. Strokes
1. Serve (forehand or backhand)
2. Clears - used offensively and defensively. Comparable to a lob in tennis (overhand and underhand)
3. Smashes - offensive stroke. Timing is extremely important (forehand and backhand)
4. Underhand Drop Shot - short follow-through; shuttle to land just beyond net.
5. Net Shots
a. if shuttle is met above net tape, it should be directed to an open spot on the opponents court.
b. If shuttle is met below the net tape, it should be stroked along the net to land just beyond it.
6. The Drive
a. the racket should be kept flat (parallel to floor)
b. can be used to run opponent from side to side