Para-badminton is an adapted version of badminton designed to make the sport more accessible to people with physical disabilities. It is a sport that is played in the Paralympic Games and is becoming increasingly popular around the world. The rules for para-badminton are similar to those for regular badminton, with some important differences.
Para-Badminton Court and Equipment
The court for para-badminton is the same size as a standard badminton court and has the same markings. The net is set at a height of 0.914 m (3 ft) for wheelchair users and 0.965 m (3 ft 6 in) for standing players. The rackets are slightly heavier than regular badminton rackets, and the shuttlecocks are made of plastic and weigh less than regular shuttlecocks.
Serving Rules
The rules for serving in para-badminton are the same as in regular badminton. Players must serve diagonally and the shuttlecock must land in the opposite service court. However, there are some differences when it comes to wheelchair players. Wheelchair players are allowed to use their hands to hit the shuttlecock, and they can also hit the shuttlecock more than once before it crosses the net.
Scoring Rules
The scoring rules for para-badminton are also the same as in regular badminton. A point is scored when the opponent fails to return the shuttlecock or it lands outside the court. The first player to reach 21 points wins the game. If both players reach 20 points, then the winner is the player who scores two points in a row.
Rules for Wheelchair Players
Wheelchair players are allowed to use their hands to hit the shuttlecock and they can also hit the shuttlecock more than once before it crosses the net. In addition, wheelchair players are allowed to move out of their court while they are playing. They are also allowed to touch the court with their hands while they are playing. Wheelchair players must remain in their chair at all times during the match.
Rules for Standing Players
Standing players are not allowed to use their hands to hit the shuttlecock and they must hit the shuttlecock in one stroke. Standing players are also not allowed to move out of their court while playing and must remain within the boundaries of the court at all times.
Other Rules
The rules for para-badminton also include some other important rules. For instance, the players must keep their racket in the air at all times while playing and must not hit the shuttlecock with their feet. Players are also not allowed to obstruct their opponent’s view of the court.
Conclusion
Para-badminton is an adapted version of badminton designed to make the sport more accessible to people with physical disabilities. The rules for para-badminton are similar to those for regular badminton, with some important differences. The court, rackets, and shuttlecocks used in para-badminton are slightly different from those used in regular badminton. The serving, scoring, and wheelchair rules are also different. Knowing the rules of para-badminton is essential for players who want to compete in the sport.