how to play badminton

The game of badminton can be fun and also constitute a great form of exercise. It is one of the fastest racket games ever. For players who want to know the ABC of the game “How to play badminton?”

However, its purpose is to hit the shuttlecock over the net by following certain rules.

So, let’s look at them in detail before you take your first shot.

How to Play Badminton

Badminton is similar to other racket sports but requires wrist and arm movements. The feathered shuttlecock has a more aerodynamic drag and swings differently from the ball.

Below is a simple version of the badminton play rules for beginners that can get you excited in the game.

How to Play Badminton

Ready to serve

The game starts with a toss. The referee throws a coin, and a player calls the head or tail. The player or team that wins the toss can choose the side of the court or to serve or receive first. If the player chooses the court of his/her choice, the opposing player or team may choose to serve, first or versus.

The serving is done diagonally, and the first service is made from the right-hand service court. When it is 1.15m, the server should hit the shuttle underarm. The server cannot go over the boundaries, and the correct service should be served from the court. If the shuttle hits the net and does not cross it after service, it will have to be served again. If the server makes a mistake while serving, then an opponent stands a chance to serve.

The receiving player receives the shuttlecock from the true service court compared to the server court and returns it, thus starting the rally. Players can return to their side of the court after returning to service.

While a player fires a shuttle outside the courtyard’s boundaries, the opponent gets an issue, and the rally ends. The players changes at the end of the game and the players change in the decisive game when a player gets 8 (men) or 6 (women) points.

Serving Rules for Singles

The server serves on the right as well as on the left side of the service courts alternatively. Once the service is mislaid, the opponent gets the opportunity. If the players have not scored a point, they serve on the right side of the service court to the challenger’s right side.

Peradventure, the players scored an odd number of scores; they serve from the left side of the court to the left side of the challenger. You need to be more perceptive with the assistance you give toward other people. Click here!

How to play badminton step by step

Serving Rules for Doubles

Each team has two opportunities to serve, one for each player. Team members serve alternately. After losing two services, the opposing team gets a chance to serve, and they start from the right side of the court. The serving team has only one chance to serve at the start of the game.

In doubles, the pair that served in the previous rally and received in the current rally does not change their side at the end; players who win rallies and serve to change their side of the players have scored no points.

If the players have not scored at all or otherwise, if they have scored an even number of the point, they serve on the right side of the badminton service court to the right side of their challenger.

Or may the players have scored an odd number of points; they serve on the badminton court’s left side to the left side of the opponent.

How to play badminton for beginners

Scoring

When the serving side wins the rally, a point is added to its score, and the player/team serves in the next rally. When the recipient wins the rally, they will add a point to their score and serve the next rally. The rally is won when a player or team has a defect or when the shuttle comes to the opponent’s court.

The most common faults during the rally are –

  • Don’t hit the shuttle before landing into the boundaries.
  • The shuttle is slammed into the net.
  • The shuttle refuses to fly over the net.
  • The court lands the shuttle outside the boundary (if the shuttle lands on a line, it is inside, but if a player lands on a line while serving or receiving, it is outside)
  • The player’s body or racket comes in contact with the net.
  • The same player then hits the shuttle.

Winning a match

  • The greatest of three games constitute a match.
  • The team or player who creates 21 points faster wins the game.
  • If both teams have a 20 (20-all) score, then the team with the 2 point lead wins the game.
  • If both teams have a 29 (29) score, then the team that reaches the 30th point wins the first game.
  • A game-winner also wins the right to serve first in the next game.

Fouls

  • Players must hit the shuttle only from the side of the court.
  • Players should not touch the net or slide below it.
  • The players’ racket should not land next to the opposing team’s side.
  • The shuttles should never hit players even outside the boundaries.
  • In doubles, the shuttle does not hit the player or his clothes or racket before his teammate hits it.
  • Both feet of the player should be on the ground while serving and receiving.

Court Boundaries

Doubles use a full-court, which means you only need to focus on the court’s outer lines. Learn about badminton court dimensions.

End change

If there is a 3rd game, the teams will change at the end of each game and the 11 point mark in the 3rd game. Changing the ending means the team will play from the other side of the net. This is to balance any advantages/disadvantages of teams due to lighting, air currents, or other factors.

People talk of controlling rallies, but no player will have 100% control over rallies.

What are the Badminton Equipments?

Except for badminton rackets and shuttlecocks, the following devices are usually seen when a game is on.

Badminton racket

Modern badminton rackets are light in weight and weigh no more than 100 grams. The frame of the racket is made of ordinary metal such as steel or aluminium. Sometimes rackets are made of alloys, hard carbon fibre, ceramic, or boron. The length doesn’t go beyond 680 mm, and the width doesn’t go beyond 230 mm.

Badminton racket

Shuttlecock

Sixteen glued feathers form a shuttlecock at the base of the crank wrapped in a thin leather sheet. Interestingly, the best badminton shuttlecocks are made from the feathers of a goose wing. The shuttle weighs between 4.74 and 5.50 grams.

Shuttlecock

Badminton shoes

A good pair of badminton shoes provides good grip, cushioning, and a little relief on the front foot.

Badminton accessories

Commonly used badminton accessories include grip, badminton clothes, socks, wrist bands, and headbands.

Grip

The grip made of cloth or synthetic fiber absorbs sweat and gives you a dry feeling.

Badminton clothes

Comfortable t-shirts and shorts, which do not hinder your movement, are ideal for playing badminton. Cotton round or collared T-shirt with a pair of light shorts is usually preferred.

Socks

Wear a pair of thick cotton socks as they help absorb sweat. They prevent your feet from slipping inside your shoes. Avoid wearing nylon gloves that do not absorb sweat.

Wrist band

If you sweat a lot, you might consider getting a wrist band that prevents it from flowing into the handle of your racket.

Headband

Wear a headband if you wear glasses. It prevents your lenses from getting wet and prevents sweat and hair from getting into your eyes while playing.

How to Play Badminton: FAQs

What are the rules for playing badminton?

  • The match has 3 games of 21 points.
  • Every time there is a serve – there is always a point scored.
  • The winning side of the rally will add one point to its score.
  • At 20 all, the side that takes the first 2 point lead wins the game.
  • At 29 all, the side that first gets to 30th point wins the game.

What are the 10 rules of badminton?

  • The game begins with coins. Whoever wins the toss decides whether they serve first or receive or whether the court is on their side? Toss will use the rest of the selection after the losing side.
  • During the game, the player should lay a hand on the net with his racket or his body.
  • The shutter lock should not continue on the racket or come to rest.
  • The player should not reach the net to hit the ball.
  • One must carry a cross-court to be valid.
  • During service, the player should not lay a hand on any court line until the server strikes the shuttlecock. The shuttle leak should always be hit below the waist during service.
  • A point is added to the player’s score when he wins the rally.
  • He wins the rally when the player attacks the shuttle, and he touches the surface of the opposing side of the court or when the opposition blames him. The most common type of offence is when a player fails to clear the shuttlecock or falls outside the court’s boundaries.
  • The shuttlecock must be strike once by a team member. Once hit, no player will be able to strike the shuttlecock in a new movement or shot.
  • Shuttlecock hitting the roof is considered a fault.

What are the 6 basic skills in badminton?

Conclusion

With practice, you will master all the previous basic badminton skills and play badminton like a pro. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t acquire skills as quickly as possible. Use your strengths and work on your weaknesses.

You will progress at your own pace.