Understanding Basic Badminton Rules and Terminology

Do you remember playing badminton as a kid in your backyard? I do but I'm not sure we played actual games or just tried to see who could hit the birdie (actually called a shuttlecock or shuttle) the most without dropping it. Badminton is a huge Summer Olympic sport as well as popular in numerous countries. I've always been fascinated with the lightning quick game of professional badminton (shuttles have been timed at speeds over 200 mph) but never understood the rules or some of the terminology. Here's what I've found out about the game of badminton.

Object of the Game of Badminton
The game of badminton consists of two to four players (singles or doubles). The object of the game is to get your shuttlecock over the net into your opponent's half court without them hitting it back. The first player or team to reach 21 points wins. The team or player that wins two matches (out of three) first, wins the game. Play begins from the right half court. Players must hit the shuttlecock into the diagonal opposite court. If the serving side successfully hits the shuttlecock without the receiving team returning it, the service side wins the point. The player then moves to the left side of the court to play the second point. If the serving side is not successful (fault), no point is awarded. In singles play, the opponent then gets the opportunity to serve. In doubles play, one player serves until he commits a fault. Then the service game is handed over to his teammate until he loses the point. At that point the opponent takes over serving. Changing sides of the court happens at the end of each badminton match.

Badminton Rules and Terminology

Alley: This is the lane on either side of the badminton court that is one and half feet wide used for doubles play.

Carry: This is an illegal play in badminton where the shuttlecock is caught on the racket and stays put until it is played or "slung" during the stroke. A carry can also be called a sling or throw.

Court: Badminton is typically played on a court that is 44 feet long by 20 feet wide and divided in half by a net that is approximately 5 feet high. There are two court layouts, one for singles and one for doubles, similar to tennis. To see a diagram of the badminton court layout, click here.

Drop: When a player hits the shuttle softly into the opponents court close to the net. If the play is done correctly it will fall rapidly making for a difficult play.

Fault: A violation of the badminton game rules that occurs either during serving, receiving or play.

Flick: A quick action of the wrist that takes an opponent by surprise. This play turns a soft hit shuttle into a fast passing difficult to return play.

Feint: Often called a balk (similar to baseball), this occurs when movement from an opposing player distracts his opponent before or during service.

Net shot: This is a shot that is hit from the forecourt. The shuttlecock barely skims the net without touching it and lands in the opponents near court quickly making for a difficult return.

Short Service Line: The line (six and a half feet from the net) in which a player must serve the shuttlecock past to be considered legal.

Shuttlecock or Shuttle: This is the small object that players hit to win points in the game of badminton. Can be made up of goose feathers or synthetic materials.

Smash: This is a hard hit that is the typical play in badminton. Players hit the shuttle strongly overhead downward into the opponents court.

These are just a few of the terms used in badminton to get you started and give you a brief synopsis of the game.

For a complete listing, click here.

To test your knowledge of badminton, take this short badminton quiz here.

Try and keep these basic badminton rules in mind while playing at home or watching on television. You will definitely continue to learn more with each match you watch but this will give you a good starting point.

Sources:
www.internationalbadminton.org
www.worldbadminton.com