Badminton is a sport with ancient origins, and its rules have undergone many changes over the centuries. The modern version of the game, as played today, is a far cry from the original version of the game played in the 1800s. In this article, we’ll take a look at the old rules of badminton, and how they have evolved over time.
Origin of Badminton
The game of badminton is believed to have originated in India, where it was known as Poona. It is thought that the game was invented by British officers stationed in India in the late 18th century. The game was then brought back to England, where it was popularized by the Duke of Beaufort in 1873. The game soon spread across Europe and eventually to the rest of the world.
Early Rules of Badminton
The earliest recorded rules of badminton date back to a book written by the Duke of Beaufort in 1877. These rules outlined the basic structure of the game, including the court size (44 x 17 feet) and the number of players (two or four). Additionally, the rules stated that the players could only use their hands to hit the shuttlecock, and that all shots had to be made over a net. Other important rules included that the shuttlecock had to be served diagonally and that the serve must be returned by the opponent.
Changes to the Rules Over Time
Since the 1800s, badminton has undergone many changes and the rules have evolved with it. The court size has been reduced to 20 x 44 feet and the game can now be played with either two or four players. The rules also now allow the players to hit the shuttlecock with either their hands or their racquets, and the rules regarding the serve and return have also been simplified. Additionally, there are now rules regarding the height at which the shuttlecock must be hit, the number of shots each player must take and the scoring system.
Modern Rules of Badminton
Today, the rules of badminton are governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The modern rules state that the court size must be 20 x 44 feet, the game must be played with either two or four players and the shuttlecock must be served diagonally. The rules also state that the shuttlecock must be hit with either the player’s hand or racquet and that the height at which it is hit must be at least 6.1 meters above the ground. The rules also state that the serve must be returned by the opposing team, and that the game must be played until one team reaches 21 points.
Conclusion
Badminton is a sport with ancient origins and its rules have changed significantly over the centuries. The early rules of badminton, as outlined by the Duke of Beaufort in 1877, were quite different from the modern rules of the game. Since then, the court size has been reduced and the rules regarding the serve and return have been simplified. Additionally, the rules now allow the players to hit the shuttlecock with either their hands or racquets, and there are now specific regulations regarding the height at which the shuttlecock must be hit and the number of shots each player must take. The modern rules of badminton are now governed by the Badminton World Federation.