Badminton is a sport that requires a great deal of skill, athleticism, and strategy. It’s a sport that can be enjoyed by both recreational and competitive players. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, it’s important to understand and abide by the rules of badminton so that everyone can have a fair and safe game. Here are the top 10 rules of badminton to help keep everyone in the game.
1. Serving the Shuttle
When serving the shuttle, the server must stand behind the short service line and hit the shuttlecock so that it passes over the net and lands in the opponent’s court. The server must also ensure that the shuttlecock is visible to the receiver before serving. If the server fails to do so, the receiver can claim a let.
2. Court Dimensions
The badminton court must be rectangular in shape and measure 20 feet (6.1 metres) wide and 44 feet (13.4 metres) long. The court should also be marked with a short service line and a long service line.
3. Scoring
Points are scored when the shuttlecock lands in the opponent’s court and is not returned. Each side can score a maximum of 21 points, however, the winning side must win by 2 points. If the score reaches 20-20, then the side that reaches 30 points first wins the game.
4. Let
A let is a call made by either the umpire or the players to stop the game due to an interference or error. This can include a shuttlecock landing out of bounds, a player stepping on the court, or a double hit. The game is then restarted with a serve from the same side.
5. Faults
If a player commits a fault, such as hitting the shuttlecock before it passes the net, stepping on the court during the serve, or hitting the shuttlecock twice in succession, then the opponent receives the point.
6. Line Calls
If a player is unsure whether the shuttlecock has landed in or out of bounds, they can call for a line call. The umpire or referee will then make a judgement based on their own observation or by using a measuring device.
7. Doubles
In doubles matches, each team consists of two players and they must stand on opposite sides of the court. During the serve, one player from each team serves and the other player stands at the back of the court.
8. Singles
In singles matches, each player stands on the same side of the court. During the serve, the player must stand behind the short service line and must not cross the court during the serve.
9. Footwork
It’s important for players to remain on their feet during the rally. Players may not touch the court with their hands or feet during the rally.
10. Equipment
Each player must have a racket and shuttlecock in good condition. The shuttlecock must be made of feathers, and the racket must not be made of any material that is likely to damage the shuttlecock.
Conclusion
Badminton is a great sport that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. It’s important to understand and abide by the rules of the game so that everyone can have a fair and safe game. The top 10 rules of badminton outlined here will help keep everyone in the game and ensure that everyone has a good time.