Badminton is a popular racquet sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. It requires two players or teams of two to compete, and can be played both indoors and outdoors. The game has grown in popularity in recent years, and is now one of the most widely played sports in the world. With this increased popularity comes an increased focus on the official rules of badminton, which can be confusing to those just starting out in the sport. In this article, we will look at the official rules of badminton and explain how they affect the game.
Basics of Badminton
Before jumping into the official rules of badminton, it is important to understand the basics of the game. Badminton is played with a shuttlecock, which is a feathered projectile, and rackets. Players or teams stand on opposite sides of a 5.18 meter long court and take turns hitting the shuttlecock over a net that is 1.55 meters high at the center. The aim of the game is to hit the shuttlecock in such a way that it lands in your opponent’s court and cannot be returned. A point is won when your opponent fails to return the shuttlecock, or if the shuttlecock lands outside of their court. The first player or team to 21 points (or 15 points in doubles) wins the match.
Official Rules of Badminton
Now that we have a basic understanding of the game, let’s take a look at the official rules of badminton. The official rules of badminton are set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), and are designed to ensure fair play and an enjoyable experience for all players.
Serving
The first official rule of badminton is that the shuttlecock must be served from below the waist, and must pass over the net and into the opponent’s court. The serve must be struck with an underarm action, and the server must remain stationary until the shuttlecock has been hit.
Scoring
The official rules state that a point is scored when the shuttlecock is hit into the opponent’s court and cannot be returned. A point is also scored if the opponent commits a fault, such as hitting the shuttlecock into the net or out of bounds. The first player or team to reach 21 points (or 15 points in doubles) wins the match.
Faults
The official rules of badminton state that a fault is committed when a player or team:
• Hits the shuttlecock into the net
• Hits the shuttlecock out of bounds
• Steps over the boundary lines while serving
• Hits the shuttlecock twice in a row
• Hits the shuttlecock before it crosses the net
• Interferes with their opponents’ play
If a fault is committed, the opposing player or team is awarded a point.
Doubles Play
The official rules of badminton state that doubles play is allowed. In doubles, two players or teams of two stand on opposite sides of the court and take turns hitting the shuttlecock over the net. The same rules apply in doubles as in singles, with the exception that the first team to reach 15 points wins the match.
Line Calls
The official rules of badminton state that players or teams can call their own lines. This means that they can call whether or not a shuttlecock has landed in or out of bounds. If there is a disagreement between the players or teams, the umpire has the final say.
Conclusion
Badminton is a fun and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. The game has grown in popularity in recent years, and it is important to understand the official rules of badminton in order to ensure fair play and an enjoyable experience for all players. The official rules of badminton are set by the Badminton World Federation and cover everything from serving and scoring to faults and doubles play. By understanding and following the official rules of badminton, players can ensure that they have a fun and fair game.